Our guide to car insurance contains all you need to know about finding the right type of motor insurance policy, how to lower the cost of your premium and what to do in the event of a claim.

How to get the best car insurance deal

Car insurance is almost certainly the financial product most commonly held by consumers in the UK, with the possible exception of a bank or savings account. This is hardly surprising: if you drive a vehicle, insurance is compulsory.

In theory, this ought to make everyone a car insurance expert, able to get the best deal on their motor cover.

Yet too many of us tend to stick with the same insurer for too long and end up paying hundreds of pounds more a year than we need to. We only change policies when premiums become very noticeably too dear.

Conversely, we pat ourselves on the back because we have found ultra-cheap car insurance - only to discover that when we make a claim, certain items were never covered under the terms of that policy.

Shopping around is the starting point for anyone who wants the best car insurance deal. Our car insurance comparison tool allows you to search for and compare quotes from more than 60 top insurers and brokers in the UK.

But knowing how motor insurance works can help you get an even better deal - not just on price but in terms of the service you may need from your insurer. This guide is designed to help you achieve that.

It tries to answer some of the most typical concerns of motorists: everything from explaining how your quote is set and tips on how to cut the cost of your cover, to the various steps involved in making a claim.

We also offer a jargon-buster - explaining some of the more typical terms used when taking out car insurance.

Of course, no guide can ever attempt to answer every query. If you have any further questions, feel free to visit the car insurance forums or motoring fourms, where one of our experts - or even other forum members - will do their best to help.