1. Buy online

Buying online can save you time and money. Companies who spend millions of pounds on advertising or run large call centres have to cover these costs somewhere, and they do so by adding these costs onto the price of your insurance premium. Although online insurers do have overheads, they are much less than high street and telephone insurers, which means they can offer car insurance at up to 60% cheaper than other companies.

2. Drive a cheap and less powerful car

Car insurance companies calculate their premiums on the basis of the car engine size, the probability that it will get stolen and the cost of repairing it. Although smaller cars such as Ford Fiesta's and Renault 5's are more prone to being stolen than larger saloon cars, they are cheaper to repair or replace and are therefore cheaper to insure.

3. Build up a 'no claims history'

Car insurance companies give discounts for safe drivers with a good no claims record. By building up your no claims history you can benefit from a reduction (up to 60%) off your premium, and this discount can be transferred from company to company.

4. Increase your car security

More security means lower risk for your insurance company and you can benefit from cheaper rates by locking your car in a garage a night, or installing an insurance company approved immobiliser or tracker.

5. Increase your voluntary excess

By deciding to pay a higher excess it also means you're less likely to make a small claim on your insurance and are therefore considered a lower risk.

6. Obtain more driving qualifications

The Pass Plus qualification costs between •£100-150 and involves taking lessons in different driving conditions such as at night and on the motorway. By becoming a more skilled and experienced driver most insurance companies reward their customers by reducing their premium. As a result, the qualification usually pays for itself within the first year of qualifying. Another option is the advanced driving test, but this can take much more time to pass than the Pass Plus.

7. Use your car less

Clearly, the more you use your car the higher the probability is that you'll be involved in an accident. As a result people who travel hundreds of miles every week are likely to have a higher car insurance premium.

8. Don't get on the wrong side of the law

Insurance companies don't like motoring convictions as they mean a driver is seen as a higher risk. Certain motoring convictions are considered worse than others, for example drink driving offences mean that your premium will be double the usual rate.

9. Reduce the number of people under your policy

The more people on your insurance the more you'll have to pay. So, if possible try to have as few drivers on your policy as feasible.

10. Live in the countryside

As a general rule, the further you live away from a city the cheaper your car insurance is likely to be. By living in the city your car is more likely to be stolen or be involved in car accident. You can save up to 50% on your car insurance by moving from the city to a rural location.