How to save on car insurance: Actuaries reveal 10 insider secrets

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A re you paying too much for car insurance? The average premium is up a whopping 18 per cent since 2022, according to Central Bank figures. There are few household bills where we…

Are you paying too much for car insurance? The average premium is up a whopping 18 per cent since 2022, according to Central Bank figures.

There are few household bills where we would tolerate this jump. You can suck it up, or you can take action to lower your quote. And actuaries have the inside track.

Actuaries know exactly what insurers look for when calculating a premium. Understanding their secrets could help you get a cheaper quote. Here are 10 tips to save on your next policy.

Which drivers present the highest risk? Those who spend the most time on the road. One of the best predictors of a car crash is how much time you spend driving, says actuary Noel Garvey, who is chairman of the Society of Actuaries’ general insurance committee.

That’s why insurers ask your estimated annual mileage when quoting for your policy.

“The more you drive, the higher the chance of an accident,” says Garvey. More mileage means more risk, so insurers will charge you more.

Close to one million people reported working from home at least sometimes in the second quarter of 2026, according to Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures. If you are one of them, tell your insurer.

The average private car in Ireland covered 15,196km in 2023, according to the CSO. Many people drive less.

To check your mileage, divide the odometer reading by the car’s age in years, says Motorcheck.ie. Or check the readings between NCT certificates, work out the difference in mileage and compare it to the national average.

Début de l'article, extrait de The Irish Times. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.