Originally Posted by
Dashers
There was a big rise in Insurance Premium Tax last year, which is why you're seeing more expensive renewals.
Note that these online comparison sites aren't strictly comparisons sites but just online brokers. They have agreements with insurers to get cover just like any other broker. They are easy to use, but rarely the best. I always use them as a reference point, but I usually land up paying hundreds less by using a bricks and mortar broker (albeit, over the phone).
Always try a couple of brokers and play them off against each other, they will never give you their best price, even if you say up front that's what you're going to do. It's naff, but the whole industry is.
Don't forget there are other insurers that refuse to do deals with middlemen and only insure direct to the customer. DirectLine probably be the most famous.
If you have a performance or specialist car then join a club, they often have discounts with brokers. I get 10% off my insurance due to be a club member, which again, often just works as a good starting point in negotiation. If your car is over 10 years old and you don't do many miles, look at getting insured as a classic car.