Five ways to drive down the cost of motoring

PETROL prices are up, car insurance prices are up, breakdown costs are up – but don’t let it get you down.

There are many ways to slash the cost of motoring.

Let me show you five easy ways to put the brakes on your vehicular costs.

DON’T OVERPAY ON BREAKDOWN COVER

BACK-UP in case your car fails is important, especially if you rely on it for work or the kids.

A year of cover at autoaidbreakdown.co.uk costs £48 – not much more than basic policies with the big firms – and it includes home start and onward travel and includes cover for you and your spouse (including civil partners) at no extra cost. Call-out times are said to be roughly similar too.

If you prefer a big firm, the golden rule when it comes to renewal is to haggle. It really works.

If you want a basic AA or RAC policy, new customers buying through cashback sites topcashback.co.uk or minutes. There is no obligation to buy anything, but be prepared that staff might try to upsell to you. The winter car check is on until spring.

TWO OR MORE CARS AT HOME? CHECK MULTI-CAR

NEVER auto renew car insurance. Check you’ve the right cover using the right comparison sites – see moneysavingexpert.com/ carinsurance

Add in directline.com and aviva.co.uk which comparison sites don’t include. If you’ve got a multi-car policy, check standalone insurers first. If you’ve got standalone, check multi-car first.

Many don’t think to look at multi-car because renewal dates aren’t close. Admiral. com, lv.com and Aviva let you set up a policy at your first car’s renewal, while the other car(s) stay with their existing insurer until their renewal.

■ Martin Lewis is the founder of Moneysavingexpert.com. Get his free Money Tips at money savingexpert.com/ latesttip