Motor Insurance

Get cheaper car insurance quotes based on time of day you compare, expert says

Drivers looking for cheap car insurance have been told they could save up to 22 percent simply by comparing quotes at certain times of the day.

Our price comparison partner Quotezone.co.uk said motorists could be doing themselves out of a good deal by searching for car insurance during at the 'wrong time of day'.

NimbleFins has previously explained the best date to renew your car insurance is three weeks before its expiration as this should get you the best price.

In fact, we found some insurers charge more than £1,000 extra for a last-minute purchase with an immediate start date. But by buying three weeks ahead, people could save at least 30%.

But getting even more specific, QuoteZone.co.uk has found particular times of the day signal alarm bells for insurers.

Researchers found drivers comparing quotes between midnight and 6am received prices up to 22% higher than those looking during the day.

It's thought this could be because people who are up in the middle of the night are more likely to drive when it's dark putting them at more risk of a serious accident.

When it comes to young people, for example, males aged 17-20 are seven times more likely to be involved in a collision compared to all male drivers. But this soars to 17 times more likely between 2am and 5am, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA).

Greg Wilson, CEO of QuoteZone.co.uk, said: "One of the biggest mistakes drivers make when renewing their policies is leaving it until the last minute, which means they’re missing out on a chance to save up to 45%.

"Surprisingly, even the time of day can affect how much you pay. Our analysis has shown that when you request quotes in the middle of the night, you may be quoted up to 22% more compared to daytime hours."

NimbleFins has also looked into other ways to save money on car insurance.

Tips include:

  • Increasing the excess
  • Pay annually, not monthly
  • Don't auto renew - compare!
  • Pick a car with low insurance rating

Read the full list here: Ten Ways to Save Money on Car Insurance

Read more:

Helen Barnett

Helen is a journalist, editor and copywriter with 15 years' experience writing across print and digital publications. She previously edited the Daily Express website and has won awards as a reporter. Read more here.

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