Find out all you need to know about the worst postcodes around and how they can impact the cost of your insurance.
Is your address taken into account to price your insurance?
Your address is one of the factors that can affect your car insurance price. Insurers use your postcode to assess the risk of you making a claim based on the crime rates, traffic and accident rates, parking security, fraudulent claims, environmental risks, and road conditions in your area, says Money Supermarket.
Depending on these factors, your car insurance price may be higher or lower than the national average. You can compare car insurance quotes from different providers using an online tool or by speaking to an insurance provider, there’s lots of options available when it comes to finding the best insurance quote for you.
What are the worst postcodes?
According to a recent study by SmartWitness Incident Cameras, the worst postcodes for car insurance premiums in the UK are:
- B9 – Bordesley Green, Birmingham: £1,101.62 per year
- B10 – Small Heath, Birmingham: £1,016.53 per year
- B11 – Sparkhill, Tyseley, Birmingham: £1,013.53 per year
- B66 – Smethwick, Bearwood, Sandwell: £911.89 per year
- B8 – Washwood Heath, Ward End, Saltley, Birmingham: £909.20 per year
These postcodes are all in or near Birmingham, which has the highest number of uninsured drivers and bogus whiplash claims in the country. These factors increase the cost of car insurance for everyone in the area.
What are the cheapest postcodes to insure?
The cheapest postcodes for car insurance premiums in the UK are:
- AB9 – Aberdeen city centre: £157 per year
- AB10 – Aberdeen city centre: £157.12 per year
- AB15 – Aberdeen city centre: £157.18 per year
- AB11 – Aberdeen city centre: £157.25 per year
- AB16 – Aberdeen city centre: £157.33 per year
These postcodes are all in Aberdeen, which has the lowest level of car crime and accidents in the country. This makes it the cheapest city for car insurance in the UK.
If you want to find out how your postcode affects your car insurance premium, you can use online tools or websites that can compare quotes from different insurers based on your location and other factors.
Why where you live can affect your car insurance premium
There are several reasons why your address can affect your car insurance premium, according to Money Saving Expert, such as:
- The crime rates in your area. If you live in a place with high rates of theft, vandalism, or fraud, your car may be more likely to be damaged or stolen, which increases the risk for the insurer.
- The traffic and accident rates in your area. If you live in a busy urban area with more cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, you may be more likely to have a collision or a claim, which also increases the risk for the insurer.
- The parking security and availability in your area. If you park your car on the street or in a public car park, it may be more exposed to damage or theft than if you park it in a garage or a driveway, which lowers the risk for the insurer.
- The environmental risks in your area. If you live in a place that is prone to flooding, storms, or other natural disasters, your car may be more likely to suffer damage from these events, which also increases the risk for the insurer.
- The road conditions in your area. If you drive on roads that are poorly maintained, have potholes, or are affected by weather, your car may be more likely to wear out faster or need repairs, which also increases the risk for the insurer.
These are some of the main factors that can affect your car insurance premium based on your address, but there may be others depending on your specific situation and the type of insurance you need.
How to save money on your car insurance?
There are many ways to save money on your car insurance, depending on your situation and preferences. Here are some of the most common tips and tricks from Our Car that could help to lower your premium:
- Compare quotes from different insurers and use comparison sites to find the best deal for your needs.
- Choose the right level of cover and avoid paying for extras you don’t need, such as breakdown cover or legal expenses if you already have them elsewhere.
- Increase your voluntary excess, which is the amount you agree to pay in the event of a claim, to reduce your premium. But make sure you can afford it if you need to claim.
- Accurately estimate your annual mileage, as driving less can lower your risk and your premium. But don’t underestimate it, as this could invalidate your policy.
- Install a black box or a telematics device in your car, which monitors your driving habits and rewards you for safe and responsible driving. This can lower your premium, especially if you are a young or inexperienced driver.
- Pay your premium annually rather than monthly, as this can save you money on interest charges and admin fees.
- Keep your car secure and park it in a safe place, such as a garage or a driveway, to reduce the risk of theft or damage. You can also fit an alarm, an immobiliser, or a tracker to your car to deter thieves and lower your premium.
These are just some of the ways you can save money on your car insurance, but there may be others depending on your specific situation and the type of insurance you need.
