What real steps are there which I can take to save some money on car insurance? First, you need to be sure that you are not the first person to ask this question. The fact is, there are quite a few things you can do, but the first would be that you need to do a little research in accordance with your requirements.

Don't be overly eager to opt for the cheapest which is "third party" insurance because depending on your situation, this may not be your best option. Of course if you're driving an old banger then you don't wanting to be paying more on insurance premiums each year than what your car is actually worth. Likewise, if you're the proud owner of an expensive car then comprehensive insurance may be your best option. After all, if you are involved in an accident or you have your car stolen, are you financially capable of replacing it? Even in the case of fully comprehensive insurance, one can still often find ways of getting your premiums reduced and this is exactly the reason why you need to do research.

With the internet being just a few clicks away, you have no excuse at all for paying over the top premiums. Your most credible source of information will come from portal insurance websites which are essentially a gateway to insurance related websites. Portal websites will also offer a range of tools to assist you in your search as well as provide links to a vast range of reputable insurance companies. In order to establish some facts, I did a quick Google search for "saving on car insurance" and was directed to a portal site at which point I requested an estimate. Having completed an extremely basic questionnaire, I was presented with a range of quotes from various companies in order for me to make informed comparisons. I should point out that the estimates I received were considerably higher than the actual quote I eventually got from the portal website. The reason for this is, unlike an initial quote, a custom quote will adjust many costs in accordance to you specific circumstances.

Listed below are the main factors which I found will influence your final quote and as such, your monthly premiums:

1 - Colour: The reason here is simply because white paint is your cheapest colour so in the event of having to pay for any re-sprays; white carries the lowest financial risk while black on the other hand tends to be the most expensive.

2 - Driver age: Older and more experienced drivers pay less young new drivers.

3 - Make and model: This is largely determined via police statistics. Models which are considered most in demand by thieves attract higher premiums.

4 - Utilization: Vehicles which are used for work related purposes will be subject to an additional premium.

5 - Accessories: While they may boost your ego, they will certainly boost your premiums as well. In the event of an accident, accessories can cost the insurance company considerably more and they are aware of this. Additionally, while diesel may be cheaper to run, parts are more expensive and as a result, so too is the insurance.

6 - Combined insurance: Most insurers will offer an attractive discount should you combine your home insurance with your car insurance through the same company.

7 - Excess: Excess is also often known as the "deductible" in insurance clauses. This is the amount for which you are responsible for in the event of a claim while the insurance company pays the remaining balance. If you opt for a higher "excess", your monthly premiums will be less but remember, in the event of claim, your share of the payment will be more while the company's will be less.

8 - Security: Practically all security devices will influence premiums in your favour. Be sure to ask if unsure.

9 - Claims record: If you have a record of making claims, you'll certainly see the effect of this in your premiums. On the other hand, if you don't make any claims, insurers will more often than not reward your good behavior in the form of reduced premiums.

Let's face it, I'm sure the vast majority of people agree that car insurance is a cost they could really do without. Even the task of finding a suitable insurance company can be a drawn out process but if one stops to consider the potential benefits, should disaster strike, then yes, of course we all need insurance.