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Does location really affect car insurance price that much?

I've recently moved house and just got my car insurance renewal through and it's shot up from £295 to £565 and the cheapest quote I can get through comparison sites and insurance firms own sites it £780.

We have moved from Castleford, West Yorks to Bury, Greater Manchester and the car is still kept on the driveway as it was at the other house. I'm 30 years old and have 12 years no claims and I can't believe that my renewal has gone up so much.

Does anyone have any tips on maybe getting a lower price? We don't have a garage but the car is always parked on the drive at home.
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Comments

  • Joannag_2
    Joannag_2 Posts: 148 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    I moved about 200 metres and my car insurance went up by £50! I think it is something to do with number of claims in that postcode or something. How annoying, hope someone can suggest a cheaper option for you.
  • darkblue_2
    darkblue_2 Posts: 676 Forumite
    Unfortunately it can have a huge impact on the price.

    A friend of mine chose to park her car outside her Gran's house, because the park outside her own house would cost £200 more per year.
    There was 200 meters of a difference.

    Get as many quotes as you can from comparison sites, and change your job title. Don't lie, but things like 'secretary' can also be 'administrator' etc. That can also have an impact on price.
  • Phoebe-
    Phoebe- Posts: 110 Forumite
    It's due to the amount of claims in the area/traffic density etc. Location is one of the main rating factors. And keeping it in a garage is a myth...usually it doesn't affect the price.
  • I am looking to get a car. At my age, premiums for most cars are around the same but where I am now the premium is about 300% of what it will be where I am moving to. That is location for you !
  • DizzleUK
    DizzleUK Posts: 569 Forumite
    This list is a couple of years old now, but I can't imagine the data would have changed that much.

    Click the link below and you will be taken to a list of postal codes and their respective ratings.

    http://www.allcorsa.co.uk/forums/showthread.php/post-code-insurance-8874.html

    Just in case anyone can't work it out, the letters refer to the first two letters in your postcode and the numbers refer to the first 1 or 2 numbers.

    Eg

    AB12 0XX

    The OP should be able to see what grade their old postcode was and compare it to the new one.
    Remember this: nothing worth doing is easy.

  • dacouch
    dacouch Posts: 21,637 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    DizzleUK wrote: »
    This list is a couple of years old now, but I can't imagine the data would have changed that much.

    Click the link below and you will be taken to a list of postal codes and their respective ratings.

    http://www.allcorsa.co.uk/forums/showthread.php/post-code-insurance-8874.html

    Just in case anyone can't work it out, the letters refer to the first two letters in your postcode and the numbers refer to the first 1 or 2 numbers.


    Eg

    AB12 0XX

    The OP should be able to see what grade their old postcode was and compare it to the new one.


    They are the old rating areas from Aviva for motorbike insurance, not a very god guide and bear in mind each Insurer has their own rating which can differ greatly from other Insurers
  • Well I've moved from an A (low risk) to an F (high risk)...that sounds good, lucky I haven't got a car yet...will need a loan just to pay the insurance it seems!
    ;);) Better to say nothing and look a fool than to speak and remove all doubt :D:D
  • DizzleUK
    DizzleUK Posts: 569 Forumite
    Phoebe- wrote: »
    It's due to the amount of claims in the area/traffic density etc. Location is one of the main rating factors. And keeping it in a garage is a myth...usually it doesn't affect the price.

    My previous job was with a well known insurance firm and I can tell you that what I have highlighted is total nonsense!

    There can be huge differences in premiums for those that keep their car in a locked garage to those who keep their car on the road. In fact, if you live in certain areas, the insurer will insist the car is kept in a garage overnight.
    Remember this: nothing worth doing is easy.

  • DizzleUK
    DizzleUK Posts: 569 Forumite
    dacouch wrote: »
    They are the old rating areas from Aviva for motorbike insurance, not a very god guide and bear in mind each Insurer has their own rating which can differ greatly from other Insurers

    Indeed. I posted the link to illustrate how different areas even in the same town can carry different levels of risk to the general audience.

    I pointed out the information is 2 years old, but as a point of reference to demonstrate how your postcode can affect your premium it does its job for the purposes of this thread.
    Remember this: nothing worth doing is easy.

  • InaPickle
    InaPickle Posts: 5,968 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Being parked on a drive is better than on a road, although, not as good as a garage.

    And postcode has a massive effect. My mum just renewed her insurance for nearly £800, and was told by her broker that someone with exactly the same car in a better-regarded area not far away cost well under £400.
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