Life, it seems, is one continuous cycle of spending.

Mortgage, council tax, gas bills, pensions, road tax, TV licence, telephone bills, MOTs. The list seems endless. It’s a wonder that we’ve got any money left over for the things that we enjoy.

Most of the bills we have to pay don't leave us with any choice; it's a set fee and non-negotiable. But there are some things that we have a degree of control over.

And, thankfully, motor insurance is just one of those things. By searching around the plethora of different companies and policies that are available you should be able to get a deal to suit your budget.

But there are also ways of saving a little bit more cash and ensuring yourself an extra cheap car insurance deal. And Duck2Water Car Insurance Services have revealed how to do it, betraying a few industry secrets to give you the low-down on bagging some cheap car insurance.

Start off by clearing all the old junk out of your garage, making enough room to squeeze your car in. A vehicle parked in a garage is so much less likely to be stolen or vandalised than one left on the street and a car insurance company will recognise this, giving a significant discount.

If there’s no garage available then the driveway still beats the street but do make sure that you get hold of a decent steering lock and, if possible, invest in an immobiliser too.

Arrange to go on an advanced driving course where you'll learn a few extra little skills. It may seem a big hassle, especially if you’ve just passed your test, but motor insurance companies put a big value on courses such as Pass Plus, and as a result you should save a few extra pennies. As well as that, you’ll learn some valuable driving skills that are definitely going to come in handy somewhere down the line.

However much discount you’re going to be able to negotiate, your car insurance is still going to cost a fair bit. It’s tempting to spread the cost of the payment out over the course of a year, but if possible, try and pay it all up front. Most motor insurance firms charge a fairly high rate of interest, so if you really can't afford to pay the lump sum, see if you can borrow the money more cheaply somewhere else.

If your car is getting on a bit, consider buying third party, fire and theft cover instead of fully comprehensive. If you drive a bit of a heap then think about whether your car is worth the extra premium that you'll pay to get it comprehensively covered. You'll still be insured against any damage that you cause to another vehicle or person and you’ll receive the whole value of your car if it happens to get stolen or burnt out.

Shop around for a quote; don’t just buy from the first company you come across. Try different combinations of options that are available to see what the best price you can get is. And if you do find a cheap car insurance quote that you think sounds good, tell another company and give them the chance to undercut the price. After all, they're desperate for your business and so should be willing to knock off a few pounds to have your custom.

Most importantly, buy your car insurance online. High street insurance firms aren't worth dealing with as they won’t have a chance of matching an online quote. An online firm, on the other hand, has got lower overheads so can afford to cut the price right down and give you a bargain.

Following these few simple guidelines is a guaranteed way to save a few quid and get a cheap car insurance deal.