Does marriage affect my car insurance?

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How would getting married affect my car insurance?

If you are planning to get married then you're in luck, as you'll be able to save money on your car insurance. Studies have shown that married female drivers aged 30 pay on average £200 less than single women of the same age. Even if you are in that traditional ‘high risk' insurance group (under 25) by putting a ring on your finger you could save money on your insurance premiums.

How is that fair?

Essentially insurers calculate premiums based on probability and statistics. Studies have consistently shown that single people are far more likely to be involved in accidents than married couples, and therefore they are allowed to charge single drivers more to be insured.

Will getting married automatically reduce my premiums?

The short answer is, no. Although married drivers typically have to pay less for their insurance, this does not happen every time. If, for instance, you have a bad driving record, your marital status won't change the fact that you're a higher-risk driver to insurance providers. It is also done on an insurer by insurer basis, so it is important to compare car insurance before signing a policy.

What if we're together, but not married?

This is where it is key to compare car insurance providers before taking out a policy. If you are an unmarried couple but you live at the same address, certain insurance companies will treat you as if you are married and will therefore change your premiums accordingly.

Can I save money with a joint car insurance policy?

In short, no. When it comes to car insurance, there is no such thing as a 'joint policy' in the UK. However, this doesn't mean that married couples always have to take out separate policies. 

One way you could save money is by taking out a single, standard car insurance policy, and adding either you or your spouse as a named driver. Typically, you should name the more experienced driver as the main driver to see any savings. However, beware that if the named driver is found to drive the vehicle more often than the main driver, this could be seen as fronting, which is type of insurance fraud, and could see your policy invalidated. 

If you're married but you and your partner drive separate cars, you should also consider a multi-car insurance policy. These types of policy typically allow up to 5 cars to be covered under one plan, with each extra vehicle resulting in a further reduction in your premiums. 

Alternative ways to save on your car insurance

If you don’t want to get married just to save money on your car insurance, here are a few alternative ways you can save:

• Annual payments: If you can afford it, paying up front for the entire year instead of monthly will mean that you pay less overall. Most people don't do this as it is more manageable to make regular payments each month, but a useful tip for those lucky enough to be able to spend it.
• Limit your miles: When applying for insurance there is an option where you can limit the amount of miles that you are allowed to drive in a year. Fewer miles means less risk for the insurer so they are likely to give you a better rate.
• Car choice is key: Insurance is based on a variety of factors but one of the most important is the what car you drive. Cars are categorised 1- 50 when it comes to insurance, the lower the number your car the lower your insurance. So it might be worth checking what number your new car is and factoring that into the purchase.
• Telematics: One of the most common ways to save money on your car insurance is telematics, or ‘black box' insurance. Essentially it is a GPS tracker either installed on your car or on your phone which monitors your driving. If you are shown to to be a good driver (keeping to speed limits, not going fast around corners) then your insurance company will reward you by lowering your premiums and vice versa.
• Security: Improving the security of your car can greatly influence your insurance both directly through premiums and indirectly through your no-claims bonus. You should consider where you park your car, your alarm system, and maybe even an immobiliser on your steering wheel to make sure you are as safe as possible.
• Shop around: The most surefire way to save money on your car insurance is to shop around and make sure you are getting the best deal. Especially when it comes time to renew, insurers will often offer the best car insurance deals to new customers looking to switch.