How to keep your insurance costs down
HERE are some of the best ways to fight against your car’s insurance costs:
Drive a smaller car: Downsizing will have a positive impact on your premium. Age and engine size affect the cost. But the effects are not always easy to predict or understand, according to Jonathan Hehir of InsureMyCars.ie. He says an insurer might attach a lower risk rating to a 2007 1.1-litre Ford Fiesta than to a 1.1-litre Peugeot of similar vintage. Despite being similar, insurers apply a wide range of algorithms and variables when assessing risk rating and profile, he says.
Before buying, contact insurers with details of the models you are considering.
Switch: If you are claimsfree, it makes sense to regularly switch insurer. Compare rates. It is worthwhile using a broker. It won’t cost you any more than going directly to the insurer; the broker is paid by the company.
Don’t over insure: Be conservative with the car’s value. You can only claim what the vehicle is deemed to be worth by the insurance company’s assessor in the event of an incident. Check adverts to get a good market indicator of the motor’s value.
Alternatively, the Revenue Commissioners website (revenue.ie) has a valuation tool for each model/year of manufacture, for vehicle registration tax purposes.
Check the excess: The excess is what you agree to pay before you can make a claim. Insurers are imposing higher and higher excesses. This reduces the risks for them, but means you can’t claim for small accidents.
Get a discount by using telematics: The latter is a way of monitoring the location, movements, status and behaviour of a vehicle. You can do it with a smartphone. Insurer AIG offers discounts of up to 20pc for using an app that monitors driving style. AIG says there are potential savings of up to 25pc on premiums.
Men, get insured with Its4women: The online insurer markets its business at women, but the law means it cannot refuse to cover men. Because women have fewer claims, it tends to be more competitive than motor cover sold equally to both sexes. A recent EU gender directive - now law in Ireland - means men and women can’t be discriminated against on price of insurance.
Don’t modify: Avoid modifying your car, unless you are increasing its safety. Even a small change, such as new alloys, can increase your premiums. Any changes should first be discussed with your insurer. However, modifications that increase safety, such as installing an alarm or immobiliser, can help cut costs.
Pay annually: If you can afford to. Paying for cover monthly is the same as taking a high-interest loan from your provider, with interest as high as 20pc imposed on top of the premium for paying by instalments.
AS part of the Hyundai national event, Keary’s Hyundai in Mallow will be highlighting their 201 offers at their dealership on the Limerick Road on Saturday and Sunday, November 8 & 10.
The 201 at Keary’s Hyundai include: • 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty • 5 Years AA Roadside Assistance
• 5 Years Free Vehicle Health Check.
Then choose one of the following additional Hyundai 201 Offers:
• 5 Years Free Servicing
• 3.9% APR Finance
• Scrappage up to €43,000 & Emission Reduction Offer
There’s also 3.9% finance available. At Keary’s Hyundai they say real style test is a matter of being yourself on purpose. Like the All-New Kona by Hyundai, our striking new Compact SUV. Distinctive and individual, its uniquely confident look sets it apart from every SUV in its class.
Sitting at the heart of the all-new Kona’s engine range, the compact turbo-charged 1.0 T- GDi petrol engine boasts 120 PS and 172 Nm of torque, with CO2 emissions as low as 117 g/km. During everyday driving,
THE Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) have released their official new vehicle registration statistics, which show that the total new car registrations for October are up 29.3% (2,184) when compared with October 2018 (1,689).
New car registrations year to date are down 7.0% (116,129) on the same period last year (124,884).
New Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations are up 8.09% (1,069) on October 2018 (989), however registrations year to date are down 1.3% (24,324).
While New Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HGV) increased 4.65% (135) in comparison to October 2018 (129) and year to date are slightly up 1.06% (2,484)
Imported Used Cars for October saw an increase of 25.4% (11,460) on the same month last year (9,139) and year to date imports are up 8.65% (93,893) ahead of 2018 (86,417).
New electric vehicle registrations continue to grow month on month with a total of 3,222 EV cars registered so far this year compared to 1,211 last year.
Commenting on the new vehicle registrations figures Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General this smaller capacity engine efficient.
When needed, the turbo delivers powerful low-end torque that works uniformly across the rev range, making it extremely responsive and fun to drive.
The all-new Kona adopts Hyundai’s new family identity with the cascading front grille. It features a distinctive mesh pattern which enhances the car’s expressive, dynamic appearance.
A twin headlamp design features sleek, sharp shapes, with separate LED daytime running lights. These sit on top of the headlight cluster, rather than below, giving the all-new Kona a unique visual identity – by day and by night.
The refined, sophisticated interior of the all-new Kona reinforces the stylish design and rugged exterior, while adding plenty of connected technology for good measure. Interior colour packs are available on Premium SE and Premium GT trims with vivid exterior paints, reflecting their dynamic appearance. Interior trim colours can also be chosen to match the exterior finish, colours include: Lime, Orange, Red, Grey. said: “New car registrations for the month of October show an improvement on the same month last year, with much of this growth accounted for by an increase in the sale of Electric Vehicles. However, new car registrations year to date continue to disappoint, down 7% on 2018 and over 20% since 2016.
“The impact of Brexit and sterling weakness continues to drive used car imports which is impacting negatively on the new car market.
“Despite the uncertain trading environment facing our Industry, focus is quickly turning to next year and the 2020 registration plate, with some recovery in the new car market vital in reducing Ireland’s emissions from transport.” is highly
With more than 30 years’ experience in providing motorists across southern Ireland with some of the finest new and used vehicles from leading manufacturers, Keary’s are proud to continue to exceed expectations in the level of service they offer. Kearys Hyundai dealerships in Cork, Mallow, and Midleton can help you find the best models at the most competitive prices.
They uphold the high standards set by both Hyundai and the wider Keary’s Motor Group. As such, you can rest assured that the level of service you can expect is among the finest in the Cork region. Here you can be confident of a warm and friendly welcome in an environment designed to showcase our vehicles.
The new car lineup from Hyundai can be discovered in full at Keary’s. This selection of vehicles incorporates models that are stylishly designed, intelligently engineered, and packed with capability, includidng Hybrid, Plug-In, and Electric variants, each more efficient and cleaner than the last.
Keary’s also includes a complete array of aftersales services to keep you mobile and your car in prime condition for longer.