How to find competitive women's car insurance

Anyone who has taken the time to compare car insurance will know that there are a host of companies marketing their product towards females. So do these brands really offer a better deal for women and how can they find cheaper quotes?

Why are there so many women's car insurance brands?

From Ladybird to Diva and from Diamond to Sheila's Wheels, there are a host of companies marketing their products towards women.

The reason so many have emerged is because women are perceived to be less of a risk to insurers than men - i.e. they are less likely to make a claim on their policy. So by creating a primarily female clientele, these companies aim to offer cheaper quotes because of the savings they make by not having to resolve as many claims.

Statistics seem to back up the argument that women are a lower risk to insurance providers. For example, 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.

In November 2009, a comparison website conducted a study into the differences between premiums for men and women. It found that, on average across all age groups, men typically pay £368.49 more for car insurance than women. The difference is even more striking during a driver's early years - an 18-year-old male will typically pay £2,318.83 for cover compared to an average of £1,237.33 for a female of the same age.

So do these insurers offer better deals?

Women's car insurance companies are certainly worth considering as many of them offer features that are designed for females. These may include:

• Child seat cover: A replacement child seat following an accident.
• Counselling services: Being involved in an accident or subjected to car crime can be a traumatic experience - some insurers will offer free counselling to help you get back on track.
• Female friendly repairers: If your car needs to be repaired following an accident, the insurer will use a repair centre that is accustomed to dealing with female customers and addressing their needs appropriately.
• Handbag cover: Cover for your handbag and its contents in case it is stolen from your car.
• Mobile phone locators: If you are in an accident and are unsure of your location, some insurers can trace your whereabouts using a mobile phone locator service.
• Priority breakdown assistance: Some insurers offer breakdown cover as part of their policies. With priority cover, breakdowns involving females are dealt with first.
• Shopping cover: With some policies your shopping will be covered up to a pre-determined limit in case it is ruined in a car accident, fire or if it is stolen.

These cover features can make women's car insurance very competitive but you shouldn't assume that these policies are always cheaper.

Most conventional insurers offer cheaper deals to women because they are a lower risk group than men. Though they may not offer the same female targeted benefits, they could offer other cover options that may be valuable to you. Furthermore, a study by a comparison website in January 2009 showed that a 30-year-old woman driving a Ford Focus would pay an average of £662 a year with a female-friendly brand; but could cut her costs to £338 a year by shopping around for the cheapest insurer.

Of course that is just one example - and insurance quotes vary depending on your circumstances. However, it emphasises the point that you should shop around before settling on the right deal for you. The leading comparison websites will compare deals from more than 100 insurers including a host of female-friendly brands - so use these tools to your advantage to find a competitive deal.

Other ways to save on car insurance

Remember that lowering your risk means lower premiums - here are some ideas that could help you save:

• Agree to a mileage limit: If you use your car only to run errands, you may be able to agree to a mileage limit which could reduce your premiums.
• Enhance security: Fitting insurer-approved security devices such as alarms, trackers and immobilisers could reduce premiums.
• Increase your excess: Most car insurance policies carry a compulsory excess - an amount you must pay in the event of a claim. On top of this however, you may be able to add a voluntary excess - an additional amount you agree to pay should a claim be necessary. Increasing the excess can lower premiums but be careful to only set it at a level you can comfortably afford.
• Park safely: Use a garage if one is available to park your car in each night - it could be worth as much as five per cent off your premiums.
• Pay annually: Many insurers charge interest on monthly payments - but you can avoid this additional expense by paying premiums annually.