The cost of car insurance can come as something of a shock. Especially when you first hit the road. Premiums have risen significantly over the last few years, with the average policy increasing by around 4% in the first few months of this year alone. This is due in part due to a substantial rise in the number of fraudulent claims hitting providers. They’ve had to raise premiums to compensate in a case of the actions of a few affecting the rest of us. Of course, tax, inflation and the rising costs of everything also add to the pressures.

If you are a new, young driver, these costs can put you off getting out on to the road. You want to learn to drive and buy a car for the freedom and independence, but you simply can’t afford to associated costs of car ownership. Even for older and more experienced drivers, the rising rates can give you second thoughts when renewal time comes around again.

Before you give up on your dreams of driving your own car, take a look at some of these ways to bring your insurance costs down.

Compare Providers

Not all insurance providers charge the same. In fact, there can be massive differences for the same coverage. Even the provider that gave you a great price last year could quote much more for a renewal. This makes it imperative that you take the time to compare quotes to find cheap car insurance and never auto-renew without checking out the competition first.

Get a Named Driver

If you are a young, new driver, adding a named driver to your insurance can bring the costs down. As long as they’ve got a few years experience and no claims. However, if you are a more experienced driver, having another driver named on your policy can be more expensive. Think about who is going to use your car to make sure you don’t pay more than you need to.

Change Your Profession

Changing career just to get cheaper car insurance might seem a bit extreme. But, you don’t actually have to. Just make a few adjustments to what you put on your form. For example, a kitchen assistant could get a cheaper policy than a chef or cook, and a teacher could pay less than a music teacher. Try a few options on a comparison site to see what works best. Just make sure you don’t lie.

Think About Where You Keep Your Car

The safety of your car is very important when it comes to insurance. A car that’s kept in a secure location is less likely to be stolen than one kept on the street away from your home. It’s also less likely to be damaged if it’s kept in a sheltered location. If possible, keep your car in a covered car park when you are at work, and in a garage or on a drive when you are home.

Drive Less

Your mileage is also an important consideration. Driving less will bring your premiums down. Walk short journeys and use public transport occasionally.