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Watch First Hand Footage Of The Massive Gas Explosion in Tianjin, China now. Also, surf around Break to find the funniest videos, pictures and ... How was he rewarded for his disloyalty after nine years? With savings of about $300 a year and a boost in his under-insured motorist coverage. Despite discounts for long-term customers, studies show that you can get lower premiums on car insurance by shopping around rather than sticking with one company, and the savings can be significant. The Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel did a study showing that a consumer who has stuck with the same auto insurer for eight years could reduce the premium by 19 percent by switching. "It is disappointing to think your loyalty to a company can hurt you," says Carol Lachnit, features editor for automotive website Edmunds.com. Even when rewarding loyalty with a percentage off, insurers may use a practice called price optimization that considers a number of factors beyond risk, including what price tag they think you will tolerate. "They're sort of measuring how likely you are to resist a price increase to your premium," Lachnit says. Still, many consumers stick it out. Jonathan Stein, for one, has only had three car insurers in his adult life. "I did get a loyalty discount, but each time I switched, it was because I received better coverage for less money," he says. Others take a different view. Linda Carlson has stuck with USAA for more than 10 years because of what she considers exemplary customer service. The Seattle resident ticked off a series of accidents and other problems over the years, including a crash, and how pleased she was with the way USAA handled them. Her husband has used the company since 1970. Other customers are simply lulled into staying. A recent survey by customer satisfaction measurement company J.D. Power and Associates found that even though auto insurance rates increased by 2.1 percent last year and 2.5 percent in 2013, a relatively small percentage of customers switched carriers. About 39 percent of those surveyed said they did check on other insurers' prices, but just over a quarter of those who price-shopped actually switched. "You have to look at your own pocketbook and your own budget and decide," Edmunds.com's Lachnit says. SHOP AROUND Lachnit says it makes sense to shop around every few years. It is important, though, to keep a list of your coverage in front of you to be sure you are comparing apples to apples. Also keep in mind that not every insurer offers the same level of service or enjoys the same reputation. It is worth checking on the complaint history of a particular company through your state's insurance commission, she says. A list is available (www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm) through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. If someone offers you a better rate and you would rather not switch, Jeanne Salvatore, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute, says it will not hurt to go back to your insurer and let them know about the lower quote. Auto insurance it not the same as a lot of industries that routinely haggle with customers, but there is no harm in trying, she says. The only consumers who might not benefit from comparison shopping are those with bad driving records because they will have fewer choices, Salvatore says. She recommends asking for every available discount, whether you are staying or going. These include such things as bundling multiple policies, good driving records, certain vehicle-safety features, paying in a lump sum, being a student with good grades, and belonging to certain membership or affinity groups. (The author is a Reuters contributor. The opinions expressed are his own) (Editing by Beth Pinsker and Lisa Von Ahn)
When Jonathan G. Stein became unhappy with his long-time car insurance carrier earlier this year, the 41-year-old lawyer from Elk Grove, California switched to a new company.

Do You Have the Right Car Insurance?

Car insurance is inherently tricky to navigate because you don't find out just how well it works (or doesn't) until you have an accident. And if you're lucky, that doesn't happen too often. So how do you know if you have the right kind of car insurance for your budget and lifestyle? U.S. News interviewed a handful of car insurance experts to find out what you should do before making a final decision on your policy in order to get a good deal and decrease the chance of being surprised by unexpected costs after an incident. Here's their best advice: When choosing a policy, start by asking friends for recommendations. "It always makes sense to first ask people who you respect who they have auto insurance with, and if they were happy when they had a claim," says Jeanne Salvatore, spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group. [See: 10 Unexpected Costs of Driving.] Strangers can also offer useful advice. People often take their complaints about car insurance to social media, blogs and other websites. Search for posts on Twitter using the hashtag for the company you are considering. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Center for Insurance Policy and Research makes it easy to find formal complaints that have been lodged against companies as well. State buyer's guides are another resource. States release detailed guides for purchasing auto insurance that explain the ins and out of property damage as well as collision and comprehensive coverage. "Get the buyer's guide – don't just go to some agent," recommends Bob Hunter, director of insurance at the Consumer Federation of America. Those buyer's guides also outline the minimum required coverage and what factors influence your insurance rates, from driving records to how you use the vehicle. When comparing policy prices, be sure to compare similar policies, cautions Phil Reed, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com. Auto policies vary by length of time, level of service and an array of add-ons, he says. Instead of just searching the Internet to compare quotes, Reed recommends getting on the phone with companies and asking questions, too. Certain car safety features, such as alarm systems or anti-lock breaks, can help lower your rate. [Read: Blue-Collar Workers Pay More for Car Insurance.] At the same time, there's no need to obsess about constantly chasing a better deal. Jeff Blyskal, senior writer at Consumer Reports, says when the magazine asked readers to try to get a better deal with a competing insurance provider, only 12 percent of respondents were able to do so. That's despite the slew of auto insurance advertisements that would have you think a better deal is always just around the corner. Once you've settled on an insurance provider, you'll have the chance to consider various add-ons to your policy. In general, the more you pay upfront, the greater the coverage you'll have. For example, you can opt for a higher deductible in order to minimize your rates – probably a good move for anyone who considers themselves a careful driver and can afford the higher deductible in the event of an accident. You might also want to consider rental coverage. Auto insurance policies often allow you to add on coverage for renting a vehicle while your car is getting fixed after an accident, and if you only have one car, that kind of coverage can pay off. "Every customer who didn't have rental coverage wished they had it," says Richard Arca, senior manager of pricing at Edmunds.com and a former insurance adjuster. It typically adds about $20 for six months to a policy, he says. On new and leased cars, GAP insurance can also make sense. You've might have heard that when you buy a new car, it loses value as soon as you drive it out of the lot. Leased vehicles also often carry a lower fair market value than what you owe on the vehicle. That means in either of those cases, if you total the car, the insurance company will only reimburse you for the car's fair market value – and you could be out a lot of cash. GAP coverage, which stands for "guaranteed auto protection," safeguards people from that problem. "It's highly recommended for people who lease vehicles," Arca says.

10 car insurance traps

All drivers are legally required to have car insurance, but many people resent what can be a hefty annual expense. The good news, however, is that you can keep costs to a minimum by avoiding some of the most common motor cover traps.

From sticking with the same provider year after year to failing to check the excess, here we highlight 10 motor insurance traps which all drivers should steer clear of...

Trap 1: Thinking that loyalty pays

Many drivers assume that, if they stick with the same insurer year after year, they'll be rewarded for their loyalty with lower premiums. On the contrary. Insurers thrive on our apathy and can bump up premiums each year, even when no claim has been made.

The best quotes are usually given to new customers, so the chances are you'll be offered a more competitive deal if you shop around for cover every year. And even if your existing insurer offers you a lower price than last year, you could probably still save by comparing what else is on offer. So the message is simple: DON'T AUTO-RENEW YOUR CAR INSURANCE!

Trap 2: Buying third party, fire & theft to save money

You might think that, if you buy the minimum level of cover, the premiums will be much lower. But that's not the case - often you can get comprehensive cover for a similar or even lower price than third party fire & theft cover. And comprehensive car insurance will provide you with much greater protection. Again, shop around. 

Trap 3: Paying by monthly instalments

Although paying for your insurance cover upfront can seem more painful financially, it is actually much more cost-effective than spreading the cost by with monthly payments. Insurers usually add steep interest charges to instalments which can dramatically increase the overall cost, so if you can afford to pay the full premium at the outset, you should do so.

One option is to pay your premium in one go using a 0% purchase credit card, where you don't pay any interest on your spending for up to 18 months. You should aim to clear the debt within 12 months though, so you're only paying one insurance bill at any one time. It will also mean you avoid a hefty interest rate on the card balance whenever the interest-free period comes to an end.

Trap 4: Assuming all policies are the same

They're not! Always read the small-print of your car insurance policy as cover can vary widely. Make sure the policy you choose suits your requirements. For example, does yours offer a courtesy car in the event your car needs repairs or is stolen? If not, and you don't have another vehicle or sources of transport available, you could find yourself stuck. Same applies to breakdown cover.

Trap 5: Ignoring the excess

If a particular motor insurance policy seems unbelievably cheap, always check the excess, which is the portion of any insurance claim you must pay yourself. A very high excess can mean much lower premiums, but also that you might struggle to afford to make a claim at all, which defeats the point of having insurance in the first place.

The excess has two parts - the mandatory and the voluntary elements. The former is set by the insurer, you control the latter.

Trap 6: Overlooking telematics

Younger motorists generally have to pay higher car insurance costs than older drivers, but they may be able to reduce the cost of cover with a telematics policy. Here, 'black box' technology monitors the driver's behaviour and habits and rewards safe and responsible driving with cheaper premiums. But be warned, if you aren't confident your driving skills are up to scratch, then you're unlikely to see a reduction in costs. And many telematics policies impose limits of 5,000 or 6,000 miles per annum, rendering them impractical for many drivers.

Trap 7: Not insuring your car because you never drive it

It is a legal offence to keep a vehicle without insurance unless you have notified DVLA that your vehicle is being kept off the road by means of a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN). You don't have to be driving to be caught. Even if it never leaves the garage, you either need insurance or you need to file a SORN.

Penalties for transgressing this law include a fixed penalty of £100, your vehicle being clamped, seized and disposed of, and a court prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000.

Trap 8: Trying to save money by putting a parent as the main driver

Falsely declaring another person is the main driver of the vehicle when they aren't is illegal. It is known as 'fronting' and can not only invalidate your insurance but can lead to a fine and penalty points on your licence, so it should be avoided at all costs. However, you can add a more experienced person as a named driver on your policy to help reduce premiums.

This tactic works for pretty much any driver because the insurer assumes the risk of an accident or theft will be reduced if more than one driver has access to the vehicle.

Trap 9: Making unafforable modifications

Tempting as it may be to fit alloy wheels or the latest stereo system in your car, making modifications can have a major impact on your insurance premiums - simply because the vehicle is no longer its original spec. Speak to your insurer if you are planning on making any changes to find out whether it will bump up the cost of cover.

Trap 10: Assuming all policies cover European driving

Millions of people take their cars abroad each year, but not all insurers include European cover in their policies, which could leave you high and dry if you have an accident while you're abroad. Check the small print of your policy before leaving British shores and, if in doubt, check with your provider. If your policy doesn't include European cover, you may be able to add it in return for an extra premium.

MPs target fraud to cut car insurance costs

MPs are demanding a crackdown on fraudulent whiplash claims to achieve further reductions in car insurance premiums.

According to MoneySuperMarket's latest analysis of 42.5 million quotations run on the site between January 2011 and June 2014, average car insurance costs have plummeted by almost £100 in the period, from £505 to £406. They recorded a £5 fall from May to June 2014, reversing a brief upward trend that started in February 2014.

People who switch insurer at renewal, rather than those who automatically stick with the same firm, are usually in line for the biggest savings, making it important to shop around at renewal time.

Members of the Parliamentary Transport Select Committee say there would be scope for further reductions if claims costs could be squeezed further. They cite invented and exaggerated whiplash injuries, inducements paid by solicitors to encourage claims, and insurer willingness to settle claims without medical or legal challenge as areas needing urgent attention.

They also want a funding boost for the police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department, improved sharing of data relating to fraud, and the creation of independent medical panels to determine the likelihood of whiplash injury, which is almost impossible to prove or disprove from a purely medical perspective.

Insurance in the spotlight

Motor insurance and premium prices are now very much a part of the political agenda, having been the subject of Parliamentary debate, a prime ministerial summit and the catalyst for legislative changes, as well as reports from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Competition Commission.

A recent government report on the 'dysfunctional' car insurance market pointed out that whiplash claims add around £90 to the cost of every car insurance premium. According to the Association of British Insurers, fraud is setting the industry back about £2 billion a year. It is estimated that this is adding £50 to the price of every insurance policy.

Possible solutions

Among suggestions as to how the problem could be tackled are independent assessment of claimants and aban on referral fees paid by solicitors.

So will this latest report offer up any new ideas that can be put into practice to bring car insurance costs down even further?

Weeding out false whiplash claims

Although insurers continue to work hard to weed out fraudulent claims, the cost of motor-related personal injury claims is still on the rise, even as the number of crashes on UK roads continue to fall.

The Transport Committee report therefore puts particular emphasis on aspects of the market that have 'encouraged criminality to take root' - namely those fraudulent or exaggerated whiplash claims.

To clampdown on the number of fraudulent claims the select committee recommends insurers should be stopped from settling whiplash claims before the claimant has undergone a thorough examination from a genuinely independent medical professional.

Under the current set up, solicitors can commission medical reports on whiplash and other soft tissue injuries from medical experts who could have a vested interest in a positive diagnosis. It's hoped that setting up independent medical panels will reduce or eliminate false or exaggerated claims and put off any opportunistic claimants who may not fancy trying to convince a panel of their supposed injuries.

The Transport Committee also calling for a ban on solicitors offering incentives, such as up-front cash payments or laptop computers, to encourage motorists to claim after an accident.

It is also deeply suspicious of the growing trend of solicitors seeking medical reports into psychological trauma after even minor collisions - something which suggests that unscrupulous firms are looking for new areas in which to generate illicit revenues.

Spurious claims

Kevin Pratt, insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: "At present, it's more cost effective for an insurer to pay out a small personal injury claim, no matter how spurious, than try and prove the injury has been exaggerated or even made up completely, primarily because soft-tissue injuries are difficult to prove one way or another.

"The formation of independent medical panels will go some way to addressing the problem. It should be coupled with a system that sees claims for treatment paid directly to physiotherapists or medical staff in settlement of their bills, and not the claimants themselves."

Clearer insurance policy renewals on the way?

Pressure from consumer groups and the financial regulator has prompted the Association of British of Insurers (ABI) to commit to making car and home insurance renewal notices clearer and more consistent.

The ABI has written to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) proposing an initiative which would force insurers to include in renewal notices how much a customer paid for cover the previous year, therefore showing clearly how the renewal quote compares.

It also wants to include mention of first-year discounts, effectively warning policyholders that the price will be higher at renewal.

The ABI wants the changes to be in place by the end of 2015.

'Long overdue'

MoneySuperMarket car insurance expert Natasha Glasgow has backed the proposals, but thinks they could be taken further.

Natasha said: "At long last, the insurance industry is waking up to the fact that it has made the process of renewing policies at a competitive price as difficult as possible, with many customers paying way over the odds because they stick with the same insurer year after year.

"Greater transparency is long overdue and we welcome the ABI's proposals which have resulted from greater scrutiny by the regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority."

Could go further

But forcing insurers to tell customers how much they paid last year does not go far enough, says Natasha: "Seeing last year's price on a renewal quote is one step towards getting a good deal - but far from a silver bullet. Car insurance premiums are falling for new customers - as first year deals offer discounts to entice customers in - so comparing across the market will reveal how good a deal your renewal price really is.

"We would like to see these measures go further, and tackle the issue of insurers automatically renewing policies for the second year.

"This practice hinders customer's abilities to shop around for the best deal. We also hear of some people ending up with two policies running simultaneously, or a policy that no longer offers them the right level of cover.

"Insurers at the very least need to make it much clearer whether customers will have their insurance automatically renewed unless they actively opt out."

Proof problems

As we found from more than 80 reader comments on our blog Get proof of your no claims discount, proof of no claims is another area which could be clearer.

For example, Don Hanney wrote: "I've long been peeved by this insurance-company scam, having lost many years NCD through various companies recognising limited years of claim-free policies. Surely there should be an industry standard."

Natasha agrees that changes are needed. She said: "Proof of a customer's No Claims Discount should also be given in the renewal documents. Not having this kind of information readily available can create a real barrier to customers wanting to move to a different insurer because some providers make it very difficult to obtain."

Is cheaper car insurance around the corner?

Motorists could benefit from further cuts to insurance premiums following the publication of a report into the market by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Pink Car - Nissan Figaro by Reid Per Fiskerstrand under license CC BY-SA 2.0

The CMA wants:

• a ban on agreements between certain price comparison websites and insurers which stop insurers from making their products available more cheaply elsewhere;
• better information for consumers on the costs and benefits of no-claims bonus protection;
• an examination by the  Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) into the sale of 'add-ons' on car insurance policies. It says limited information regarding add-on products such as legal expenses cover makes it difficult for consumers to compare the costs and benefits.

The agreements between certain price comparison websites and insurers - long criticised by MoneySuperMarket - have been deemed anti-competitive because they force insurers to charge the same price via every outlet.

If the insurer declines to enter the agreement, the comparison site in question refuses to sell its policies, reducing its access to market.

Free negotiations

Our view is that each site should be free to negotiate with insurance companies to achieve the lowest possible price for its customers.

Peter Plumb, MoneySuperMarket's chief executive officer, said: "We welcome this move by the CMA, which will help bring car insurance prices down for consumers.

"The removal of clauses from some price comparison website contracts, which prevent insurers from offering a cheaper premium through another price comparison website, is a good thing.

"Unlike some other comparison websites, MoneySuperMarket does not use these clauses in its contracts. We can now work even harder with our motor insurance partners to bring even cheaper premiums to more of our customers."

Post-claims costs

The CMA also looked at the way costs are amassed and paid following an accident.

There is broad concern that costs such as replacement hire car fees for the not-at-fault driver, which are paid by the at-fault driver's insurer, are routinely exaggerated.

The CMA acknowledged 'inefficiencies in the supply chain', stating:

"The amount which at-fault insurers have to pay for temporary replacement cars provided to not-at-fault claimants is significantly more than the cost of providing these services."

These inefficiencies inevitably feed into car insurance premiums.

No remedy

Surprisingly, the CMA has concluded that there is no effective and proportionate remedy to these problems.

It says it investigated several possible options, such as having the not-at-fault driver's insurance cover the cost of the replacement car, or capping the amount which could be recovered from an at-fault insurer.

But it found that "these remedies would require a significant change in the law, which was not warranted since the problem caused an increase in the average premium of only £3 per year."

Switch car insurer to snatch lower premiums

Good news for under-pressure household budgets - average car insurance premiums dropped in January by 6%.

That puts the typical premium at £420 - down from £448 in December. And that's the biggest month-on-month decrease since this time last year.

The numbers come from our analysis of the quotes run on our car insurance channel. We don't know whether the downward trend will continue, though. Prices actually rose during 2014 from their low point in February, when the average price was just £378.

Switch and save

What is clear, though, is that drivers shouldn't expect to secure automatic savings simply by renewing with their current provider.

That's because insurers tend to save their best prices for 'new' customers, not existing ones. So it's crucial to act like a new customer and see who offers the best combination of price and quality when you run a quote - and switch to secure your saving.

There have been big fluctuations in premium prices recently, but January's dip will be welcome relief for those looking for cover, even if it turns out to be a seasonal trend.

Auto-renewing car insurance costs Brits £1.3bn a year

Loyalty does not pay. That's the stark message to emerge from MoneySuperMarket research into automatic car insurance renewals.

We reckon that nearly six million drivers are throwing away at least £113 each by not shopping around for a better deal at renewal. That means UK motorists are wasting £1.3 billion each year by staying loyal and allowing their car insurance to automatically renew, at a price of their insurer's choosing.

We've launched an eight-point auto renewal action plan, challenging the insurance industry to clean up its act when renewing insurance.

Our report reveals that, every year, 23% of drivers - almost six million in total - automatically renew their car insurance with their existing provider when their policy is up for renewal, without checking a single quote from another provider.

Protection problem

And it's not just a financial problem. As well as leaving drivers paying too much, auto-renewal could be locking them into policies that don't provide adequate protection, or are even completely invalid.

The prime benefit of auto-renewal is that it prevents drivers from accidentally becoming uninsured, which is illegal. But our findings raise serious questions over whether auto-renewal is working in the best interests for motorists.

The report reveals that, in most cases, drivers are not asked when taking out a policy online whether they want it to auto-renew after the first year.

Without consent

Instead, by entering credit or debit card details, customers are signed up to make a further payment for year after year, without giving any further consent or approval. There is often no way of opting in or out of auto-renewal when you buy your policy online.

We also found that renewal notices can be unclear and confusing because:

• They often don't include last year's premium, leaving the customer unable to see easily how the costs differ. Some insurers even appear to select which customers they will inform of last year's premium and which ones they'll leave in the dark.
• Changes to the policy, such as removing breakdown cover or rise in the level of excess payable, are hidden in the small print. If customers don't find this information, they could end up under-uninsured or with an invalid policy.
• The language used, including phrases such as 'Happy Anniversary' or 'You do not need to do anything', is designed to coax customers into taking no action, and simply paying the price insurers want them to.

Additionally, the research shows that cancelling an auto-renew policy can be difficult and costly, with some providers charging cancellation fees or obliging customers to use expensive premium rate telephone numbers. Some renewal notices issued online do not then allow cancellation through the same medium

Vulnerable consumers

"in most cases, drivers are not asked when taking out a policy online whether they want it to auto-renew after the first year.."

And it seems that vulnerable sections of society, such as older people, those on low incomes and those that don't have internet access are most likely to be adversely affected by auto-renewal. For example, over 55s are significantly more likely than the younger age groups to auto-renew for numerous consecutive years.

Dan Plant, editor-in-chief at MoneySuperMarket, said: "As our report lays bare, auto-renewal is far from fair, it reduces proper competition and ultimately costs consumers big money.

"Often people have no idea that they're agreeing to auto-renewal when they first buy their insurance policy, and would struggle to opt out even if they did. When renewal time comes around, the letter or email they get from their insurer can be confusing and misleading, and even bury significant changes to their policy. If you don't want to renew your policy, cancelling can also prove difficult.

"This might not matter if auto-renewing didn't cost us, individually and as a nation, so much. With an average saving of at least £113 if someone hasn't switched for a couple of years, most people are better off not letting their insurance policy roll-over automatically. And the over-55s, those with less money, and people not on the internet suffer more than most."As a country, we spend over £1.3 billion more than we need to just because so many car insurance policies renew automatically - that's money many can't afford to waste."

To address the current failings in the auto-renewal process, and to tilt the balance of fairness back towards the consumer, MoneySuperMarket challenges the insurance industry to adopt eight simple best practice recommendations:

1. Consumers should be clearly asked whether they want to opt-in to auto-renewal when first buying their policy;
2. Renewal notices should be in plain English;
3. Last year's policy price should be displayed clearly on your renewal notice, next to the new price;
4. Any significant changes to policies - such as the imposition of a larger excess or removal of breakdown cover - should be clearly displayed on renewal notices;
5. Renewal notices should prominently warn customers they must inform insurers of any changes in their circumstances, such as a new address, change in job, annual mileage or points on their licence;
6. Renewal quotes should clearly include proof of any No Claims Bonus, to enable easy switching to alternative policies;
7. Once a customer has renewed, they must be prominently told about the cooling off period, during which it should be free to cancel;
8. Cancelling auto-renewal should be really simple when a renewal is received, such as a click-through button on emails or a simple cancellation form sent with the letter.

Car insurance premiums are on the up - here's how to save

Now that could be about to change.

Research by MoneySuperMarket reveals that car insurance premiums in March rose year-on-year for the first time in four years. 

The average motorist is now looking at typical annual premiums of £423, which is £24 more than they cost in March last year.

So is this the beginning of a new inflationary trend?

Reversing the trend

Since March 2011, average premiums have fallen by 24%. But the latest year-on-year figure is up 6% compared to last March, when average annual premiums would have set you back £399.

"Hikes in car insurance premiums often happen in March as that's when new registration plates are introduced... "

And premiums aren't just up year-on-year. They've also risen month-on-month, so motorists will have paid on average £7 more in March compared to February.

Why the rise?

Hikes in car insurance premiums often happen in March as that's when new registration plates are introduced.

If you're one of the many people who snapped up a new motor last month, then you'll also have needed car insurance. Extra demand for cover means that insurers can bump up their prices.

It's the same story in autumn, as September is the other month when new registrations are launched.

Premiums reached an annual high of £456 in November last year following the introduction of the new '64' registrations in September.

Competitive pressure

Kevin Pratt, insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket said; "British motorists have benefited from a very competitive insurance market recently, with prices dropping by almost a quarter since March 2011. However, prices can only go so low before insurers have to bring them up again.

"This is no consolation for motorists, though. Driving is expensive enough, without the rising cost of insurance. As prices rise, it's more important than ever that motorists shop around for cover, to ensure their getting the most for their money."

Drive down costs

The good news is that there are plenty of tactics you can deploy to reduce the cost of cover.

Here's our top tips on how to keep premiums to a minimum...

• Never automatically renew your cover Loyalty DOESN'T pay when it comes to car insurance, so always shop around to see if you can find cheaper cover elsewhere. Consumer Intelligence research in November last year shows that 51% of people who shopped around for cover via MoneySuperMarket saved up to £224.18 on their motor premiums.
• DON'T modify your car Any modifications you make to your car will push up the cost of your cover, so think twice before adding those alloys or that new entertainment system. If you do make a change, make sure you tell your insurer, or you risk invalidating your policy.
• Boost securityThe better protected your car is, the lower your premiums will be. Keep your car in a locked garage if you have one, or off-road if you can, and fit an immobiliser and alarm to deter thieves.
• Increase your excess The excess is the part of any insurance claim you pay yourself. The bigger you make it, the lower your premiums will be. A word of warning though - don't make it so big that you can't afford to make a claim.
• Calculate the correct mileageDon't plump for any old figure when putting your mileage down on your insurance form. Try to work out the right number as you'll pay for any extra you put down but don't actually use.
• Add a more experienced driver
  If you're a younger driver, add a more experienced named driver and it should reduce your premiums. NEVER put them down as the main driver - that's as called fronting, and it's illegal.
• Pay annuallyIf you can afford to fork out a lump sum, pay for your insurance upfront rather than monthly. Most insurers charge you interest if you pay every month.
• Get 'black box' cover
  If you're a responsible driver, then black box cover, known as telematics, which bases premiums on your driving behaviour, could be more cost-effective than standard insurance.

Please note: any rates or deals mentioned in this article w

Best Epic Stupid Car Insurance Fail Attempts - Funny fraud fails & wins Compilation lol !

Watch First Hand Footage Of The Massive Gas Explosion in Tianjin, China now. Also, surf around Break to find the funniest videos, pictures and ...

When Jonathan G. Stein became unhappy with his long-time car insurance carrier earlier this year, the 41-year-old lawyer from Elk Grove, California switched to a new company.

How was he rewarded for his disloyalty after nine years? With savings of about $300 a year and a boost in his under-insured motorist coverage.

Despite discounts for long-term customers, studies show that you can get lower premiums on car insurance by shopping around rather than sticking with one company, and the savings can be significant.

The Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel did a study showing that a consumer who has stuck with the same auto insurer for eight years could reduce the premium by 19 percent by switching.

"It is disappointing to think your loyalty to a company can hurt you," says Carol Lachnit, features editor for automotive website Edmunds.com.

Even when rewarding loyalty with a percentage off, insurers may use a practice called price optimization that considers a number of factors beyond risk, including what price tag they think you will tolerate.

"They're sort of measuring how likely you are to resist a price increase to your premium," Lachnit says.

Still, many consumers stick it out. Jonathan Stein, for one, has only had three car insurers in his adult life.

"I did get a loyalty discount, but each time I switched, it was because I received better coverage for less money," he says.

Others take a different view.

Linda Carlson has stuck with USAA for more than 10 years because of what she considers exemplary customer service.

The Seattle resident ticked off a series of accidents and other problems over the years, including a crash, and how pleased she was with the way USAA handled them. Her husband has used the company since 1970.

Other customers are simply lulled into staying.

A recent survey by customer satisfaction measurement company J.D. Power and Associates found that even though auto insurance rates increased by 2.1 percent last year and 2.5 percent in 2013, a relatively small percentage of customers switched carriers.

About 39 percent of those surveyed said they did check on other insurers' prices, but just over a quarter of those who price-shopped actually switched.

"You have to look at your own pocketbook and your own budget and decide," Edmunds.com's Lachnit says.

SHOP AROUND

Lachnit says it makes sense to shop around every few years. It is important, though, to keep a list of your coverage in front of you to be sure you are comparing apples to apples.

Also keep in mind that not every insurer offers the same level of service or enjoys the same reputation. It is worth checking on the complaint history of a particular company through your state's insurance commission, she says. A list is available (www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm) through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

If someone offers you a better rate and you would rather not switch, Jeanne Salvatore, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute, says it will not hurt to go back to your insurer and let them know about the lower quote. Auto insurance it not the same as a lot of industries that routinely haggle with customers, but there is no harm in trying, she says.

The only consumers who might not benefit from comparison shopping are those with bad driving records because they will have fewer choices, Salvatore says.

She recommends asking for every available discount, whether you are staying or going. These include such things as bundling multiple policies, good driving records, certain vehicle-safety features, paying in a lump sum, being a student with good grades, and belonging to certain membership or affinity groups.

(The author is a Reuters contributor. The opinions expressed are his own)

(Editing by Beth Pinsker and Lisa Von Ahn)