How to haggle on your car insurance

Car insurance is a must-have product for many Aussies across the country, but you shouldn't have to fork out big bucks for a little peace of mind.

So if it’s almost time to renew your car insurance policy, you should be trying to snag the best possible deal at a reasonable cost. This often means you'll have to haggle with your current insurance company. 

But if even the thought of haggling is enough to send shivers down your spine, we’ve created a cheat-sheet with a few haggling tips, plus a simple script to follow.

More car insurance haggling tips

1. Do your research. Get the inside scoop with comparison sites like Mozo. You’ll find insurance providers commonly offer up to 15% discount to new customers online. Quote these numbers when negotiating and tell your provider they’ll have to match to retain your business.

2. Acknowledge changes to your circumstances. Have you reduced you kms recently? Let your provider know if you were an active driver and now your car is now collecting dust. Generally, there’s going to be a damn good reason for your request!

3. Don’t accept the first offer. Providers often lay out a discount straight off the bat - don’t necessarily accept this. It’s likely they can do better, so ask for more. 

4. Prepare to bluff. Even if you want to sit tight with your policy, a potential break-up will get their attention (advice not to be used in human relationships). Tell your provider you’re willing to walk away so they know you’re serious.

5. Chat virtually. If, even armed with all these top tips, you are still not 100% confident in your ruthless bartering skills, a lot of insurance providers enable you to communicate with a customer service provider online. So if you're more of a wordsmith than an orator, you could head for the chat bubble or email chain instead of the phone.

If you feel like you need more industry know-how before you head for the haggling field, check out Mozo's guide to switching car insurance policies.

Ready to rumble? Compare current deals below.