John – Please read your current copy of “Boundless” (the CSMA inhouse magazine) page 65.All about alternative ways of buying a (new) car. Lots of food for thought there.
More and more people are buying through online virtual car dealers like Cazoo
There are others, indeed, the CSMA have their own discount scheme.
We used Kazoo
Excellent door-2-door service. They bring your new car in a van, off load it and take your old car away.
They spend an hour or so taking you through all the controls.
They would explain and show you how the trip and fuel displays work and pair your phone to the vehicle systems.
You don't have to buy a new car - there are plenty, or there were before the pandemic, of good nearly new new cars, just a few months old with only a few thousand miles on the clock. As good as new car.
The used car Markey has gone bonkers and my own car is worth far more now that it was a couple of years ago. Sadly the price of new cars (if you can get one - there is a long waiting list on popular models) keeps increasing and I can't afford a replacement.
I don't need a new car, mine is 6 years old, no road tax and 60 mpg cost peanuts to insure
Get your car registered in your name only.
There are lots of way you can reduce the premium.
Reduce your annual milage.
Don’t dive at night.
Increase your voluntary excess, and more.
What happened to you in ’64 wouldn’t happen today.
If someone runs into your rear then they are at fault – end of – matters not what their excuses are. This is why we now have Legal Protection.
Dashcams are the thing now, and you can get rear facing cameras.
Very useful if you have (or see) an incident.
I don’t think insurers penalise buying a new car. You have to consider if you are buying like-4-like. For most/all new car purchases you can make an extra insurance payment (not much) and dealers offer this – which means if your car is written off within 3 years you get a brand new replacement at no extra cost to you.
If you are buying a new car then you need to consider what tax band it will be in.
There are plenty of zero tax rated cars to choose from, which might meet you needs.
I think you need to speak face-2-face with an insurance broker – make an appointment.
Everyone’s insurance circumstances are different and whilst our replies are made with good intentions, our advice might/will not necessarily be correct and best for you.