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Steph's Motoring Tips is an online newsletter including moneysaving hints, buying advice, practical information and introductions to female-friendly services. This issue includes an unmistakeably green flavour including FREE 'green' car checks for females, and a new zero-VED rated VW Polo catering for increasingly 'environmentally-minded motorists.

This month's tips include:

• How to reduce car insurance premiums
• Free 'green' car checks worth £40
• How to negotiate a better new car deal
• Green cars get greener
• Pick safety, given the choice

How to reduce insurance premiums

We are told that motor insurance prices are likely to be affected by the recent floods because our premiums have been subsidised by profits from home insurance policies. One way or another, it will be the customer that foots the bill in the end.

Foxy females know to be wary of marketing promises to save us hundreds of pounds to move to one company. How can this possibly be true for us all, with so many different ages/cars/post codes/claim histories and so on; with the same sort of promises made by so many companies year in, year out.

Most of us start insurance shopping with websites like moneysupermarket.com and confused.com then look at the cover on offer. If you've been happy with your existing insurance provider you might want to give them the chance to match the best quote and keep your business, before you jump ship. Surprisingly few of us do this yet it often works well and it's surely easier than going through another admin or paperwork hoop.

When it comes to cover:

• Beware of big excesses which deter you from claiming, so you end up carrying the risk not the insurer.
• If you drive less than 5000 miles a year (check last year's mileage to see) it will make sense to declare this (or a lesser mileage).
• If you drive more than one car it usually makes sense to find a multi-vehicle policy (Admiral does one as does Footman James, if one is a cherished oldie or classic); the logic is that you can't be driving both at the same time so lower annual mileage per vehicle will reduce the risk. You end up with a common renewal date in future and you then ask the existing insurance provider(s) to refund the pro rata/unspent amount of any premium paid.
• If you have more than 4 years No Claims Bonus you should be able to find a 70% discount deal, if not, keep shopping.

Another expensive factor is speed or traffic convictions - one speed conviction can add £200 to your annual premium and three can add an eye-watering £400.

Finally bogus (and inflated) claims are said to be costing honest policyholders over £1.6 billion a year, adding about 5% to our premiums. If you know of an insurance claim that isn't genuine you can now report it to the Insurance Fraud Bureau's Cheat Line on 0800 328 2550.

Free 'green' car checks

No matter its age, if your car isn't well maintained, chances are it isn't as 'green' as it can be. To reduce your carbon footprint you can now claim free 'green' car checks worth £40 to supplement your normal maintenance regime. Carried out by garage professionals across the UK, they are likely to spot serious problems before you do. For example, not only can incorrectly inflated tyres be unsafe but they then wear out quickly, are expensive, most end up in landfill sites and can add up to £200 to your annual fuel bill.

Click here now to claim free 'green' car checks*
*non transferable - but you can still tell your friends to apply for theirs via www.foxyladydrivers.com.

How to negotiate a better new car deal

According to the AA an estimated one in three people will buy a new car using a loan or finance during the next 12 months. When it comes to payment options, the average car showroom finance deal charges interest at 10.76 per cent APR, a full 4.5 per cent higher than the best unsecured loans elsewhere, says uSwitch, the financial comparison company. Borrow from Moneyback Bank, one of the most competitive loans on the market at 6.3 per cent, and you could save over £1000 on a loan of £7000. Not to be sneezed at, especially if you've negotiated a good price to begin with.

Have your wits about you when it's a 0% finance deal - this sounds fantastic but you have to work this out if it comes instead of a significant discount on the selling price.

Always do your buying homework before you enter any showroom because a good salesman will work hard to sell you 'his' car even when it isn't necessarily the best one for your needs. Remember too that a small, diesel 'green' car is likely to hold its value more than a big thirsty one, that the designer appeal of 4x4s is on the wane and be prepared to walk away if you don't get the discount you want.

Once you've decided on your model shortlist, it makes sense to check out the best online deals via one of the bigger websites. Drive the Deal www.drivethedeal.com or Autobytel www.autobytel.co.uk are two reliable names and both offer UK delivery if you can't get the discount you want from your local showroom.

Green cars get greener

Cars are still sold on the basis of looks, engine size and performance ratings despite an increasing 'green' market. This is because many employees see big cars as status symbols and few employers and fleet buyers are prepared to risk unhappy staff until their perceptions change. As a private motorist, looking for a safe, reliable and 'green' car at a keen price, it makes sound financial sense to buy small and diesel. The likes of Citroen's C1 and C2, Toyota's Aygo, and Peugeot's 107, for example, are low cost leaders for the moment, qualify for low insurance rates and a £35 annual VED (road tax).

If you want a small and low cost 'green' automatic, check out the Aygo, Peugeot's 107 and Vauxhall's Corsa. New kid on the block in October is VW's basic Polo called BlueMotion 1; with under 100g/km emissions it qualifies for zero car tax. Add aircon and you're looking at the BlueMotion 2, 102 g/km and a VED (car tax) of £35 pa. Prices range from £11995 to £13445.

There is a new Audi in the wings and a recent Mini Cooper D (D for diesel) with CO2 emissions of 104 g/km. Whilst it isn't one of the cheapest 'green' cars out there, with prices from £14190, all Minis come with a low cost 5 year servicing package for just £150 which is female-friendly feature we all like, and Minis retain a higher than most resale value.

Remember that cars which emit 120g/km of CO2 or less are exempt from the London congestion charge - a fantastic incentive to go green here.

Pick safety, given a choice

If I had to choose between two cars, one with and the other without a stability control system I'd forego a comfort or fashion accessory to afford the safety feature. This is because a stability control system will help me stay in control should, for example, I take a corner too quickly, swerve to avoid an obstacle or skid on unexpected ice. When these things happen our car and tyres struggle to respond in time and can start to slide, or spin out of control, in a matter of seconds. It's very frightening and panic braking is likely to make matters worse.

If your car has one of the following safety systems (it's a shame that manufacturers can't agree on the same acronym) it will electronically sense when you're losing control and apply small amounts of braking separately at each wheel. This is likely to bring you back on course, safely, without you doing anything and often without you realising that it needed doing. Look out for Electronic Stability Program (ESP); Electronic Stability Program Plus (ESP); Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC); Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Dynamic Stability Control (DSC); Vehicle Stability Control (VSC); Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA); Active Stability Control (ASC); Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC).

For details of how a new car performs in Euro NCAP's comprehensive driver, passenger and pedestrian safety tests, have a look at www.euroncap.com.

Kind regards

Steph

About Steph Savill

This newsletter is written by Steph Savill who runs FOXY Lady Drivers Club and believes that women deserve better and more female-friendly motoring services. She is happy to share her motoring tips, stories and experiences with anyone who wants to read them and welcomes any contributions via www.foxyladydrivers.com.

For a more personal motoring support service, online membership of FOXY Lady Drivers Club costs from just £20 a year and includes car checks worth £55, friendly advice and support services, exclusive moneysaving offers, an online forum and introductions to female-friendly motoring services. There's even a family membership package including services for men too, for just £30 a year.

Regional Finalist, HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards, 2007
Runner Up, The Daily Telegraph's Trailblazers' Business Awards, 2006
Small Business Award Winner, SAGA Magazine, 2005.


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