What is the best thing to do if my car insurance is due to expire one month before moving home?

pinkcloud17

My car insurance is due to expire middle of Feb. I'm due to move home end of March. This will involve various factors which will change the insurance e.g. will be living in a different county, parking the car in a shared carpark rather than on street, and will be a home owner rather than renting. 

I was planning to shop around rather than renew my existing policy. Last year when I took it out I was a new driver so I'm hoping to get cheaper this year. However, I don't see the point in taking out a new 12 month policy based on my current circumstances when these are going to change after a few weeks.

In this situation is it best to just take one out anyway and submit changed circumstances once moved, or take out short term insurance to cover the time in between? Thanks.

AlfieWilko1950

I suppose it depends how much your policy costs .
Short term insurance isn't cheap so to cover yourself for up to 6 weeks could easily cost several hundred pounds.
In my case , my policy is now around £210 per year so for me short term insurance would be totally out of the question.
On the other hand if your policy was , for example , over £1000 you might find it a better proposition.
So without knowing your actual situation its all guess work.

flashg67

Can you try a dummy quote with your new address to see if it makes sense to get a full policy now, or not?  However, you may find your new/next insurer is cheaper once you move - you will get a refund if it is (although check what they charge you to amend the policy too)

TELLIT01

Speak to your current insurer to see what effect your move and change of circumstances will have on the policy.  Only then can you decide the best course of action.

Grumpy_chap

Take out the best policy for current conditions, then pay the fee to change address.  Moving house is expensive, a bit of car insurance cost pales into insignificance.

MovingForwards

I was in a similar situation last year, moving from a rental with shared parking to my own home and parking on the street.

My then insurance company didn't cover the area, I moved to, the next insurance company wanted £700; I would normally pay about £210 for my car. A chat with the agents couldn't get the price down so I went on a comparison site and got it for about £218. Reverting back to the agents they still couldn't price match and let me cancel for free, refunding me what was left of the policy on a pro rata basis.

Oh and that £700 quote, was actually £300 on the comparison site.

As others have said, do a dummy quote at your new address and see what the prices are. Do not go without insurance for the period as insurance companies assume you've been driving without insurance.

Find an insurer who does free / very cheap admin fees for cancelling / amending policies.

cajef

 Check Direct Line to see if you can get a competitive quote when your current policy is due to renew, they do not charge any admin fees for changes to their policies, even if the policy is dearer it may still be worth considering.