A guide to women's car insurance

With the costs of life’s essentials seemingly on a rise, most of us are looking to curb costs wherever we can. Car insurance is a legal obligation for any driver, and being caught without it will almost certainly lead to a fine and possibly a driving ban. So, going without really isn’t an option.

Fortunately, women generally cost less to insure than men. The statistics are there to back up the claim that men are more dangerous drivers. In 2006 the Home Office reported that 97 per cent of motorists convicted of dangerous driving are male; while 94 per cent of those convicted of causing death by dangerous driving are also male.

So, what are the options available to women drivers in UK?

Most car insurance providers offer three different types of policy. These are as follows:

1) Third party only
This level of insurance will cover injury to others and damage to their property. It is the cheapest level of insurance, and the minimum mandatory requirement.

2) Third party, fire and theft
This level of insurance will provide the cover of the above, as well as to your own vehicle in the event of it being damaged by fire or theft.

3) Fully comprehensive
This is the most expensive level of insurance available, but it could provide the greatest peace of mind. It will provide full cover to you and your vehicle as well as that of any third party damages.

In all cases, it’s important to be thoroughly aware of the exclusions of your policy. These are the various circumstances in which you will not be able to make a claim. For instance, if you have an accident while being drunk or under the influence of drugs, your insurance will be invalidated.

Some specialist women’s policies may include the following.

• Child seat cover: In the event of an accident, a replacement seat will be provided for your child.
• Counselling services: You will be provided with counselling to help you recover from whatever traumatic experience you’ve endured.
• Female friendly repairers: The insurer will use a garage which has experience dealing with women drivers.
• Handbag cover: This will cover your handbag and its contents if it’s stolen.
• Mobile phone locators: This will allow your location to be traced if you have an accident but are unsure of your whereabouts.
• Priority breakdown assistance: This will mean that if you breakdown, your car will be dealt with before others.
• Shopping cover: This will cover any shopping that you may have had in the car if it’s stolen.

There are various ways in which you can keep the cost of your insurance to a minimum.
These could include:

• Choosing carefully
  Cars with smaller engines and lower value are cheaper to insure, so opting for something a bit less glamorous will mean a lower premium.
  
  
• Staying safe
  Keeping out of accidents and staying free of speeding convictions will mean insurers look upon you as less risky and reflect this in the price of your policy.
  
  
• Agreeing to a fixed mileage
  If it’s practical, agreeing to drive within a fixed mileage will decrease your risk and lower your premium.
  
  
• Investing in security
  Upgrading the security in your car can reduce the risk of it being subject of theft. The measures you can take range from having a steering wheel lock to an alarm and immobiliser. But make sure the devices you use are approved by Thatcham, the British automotive insurance body.
  
  
• Locking it up
  If you have access to a garage, make sure your car is locked up overnight. It will greatly reduce the chance of it being stolen or broken in to.
  
  
• Furthering your education
  If you’re a new driver, taking the Driving Standards Agency’s Pass Plus course will prove to insurers that you’re ready to face some of the more challenging aspects of driving.
  
  
• Shopping around
  Using a comparison website will allow you to browse lots of quotes from many different providers with the minimum of fuss, so you know where the best deals are to be found. But make sure you compare features of the quotes as well as the price. The cheapest quotes might not provide the cover that you need and give you an unwelcome shock should you need to call upon it.

FOXY Lady Drivers Club can help you save time and money when it comes to running your car. You can also count on female friendly services, jargon free advice and someone to turn to when motoring gets stressful. A lifetime subscription costs £23 including a £3 donation to the Cancer Buddies Network charity. Exclusive membership services include FOXY approved female friendly garages; FREE car safety checks; motor insurance and car finance information & shared female feedback; money-saving motoring, garage and leisure offers; a friendly members helpdesk for practical advice and support; FREE legal advice about road traffic law and a FREE accident assistance service to reduce costs and stress levels.