Your direct line car insurance quote is a reflection on how likely you are to make a claim and how expensive that claim could be. It”s based on several different factors relating to you, your car and surroundings.

• Driver age and experienceOn average, experienced drivers are less likely to have an accident compared to newer drivers. However, reported statistics indicate that the risk of being involved in an accident increases after the age of 70, and drivers over 70 and especially over 80 years, are more likely to be at fault when they crash.
• Where you liveSome areas are riskier than others. Accidents are more likely if you live in an area with relatively high traffic levels. The higher numbers of pedestrians in cities can also increase the likelihood of injured parties.
• What you do for workYour job could influence the hours you work, the time you travel and the amount of driving you do.
• Regulatory changesThese are changes made by the Government, such as larger payouts or the removal of legal costs for specific claims.
• Traffic levelsThe level of traffic on UK roads will change over time, influenced by things like the cost of petrol. When overall levels of traffic change, so do overall levels of claim frequency.
• Type of vehicle you driveYour car”s value, engine size and desirability could increase the risk of it being stolen or the cost of it being repaired.
• How far you driveThe more miles you drive, the more likely you are to be involved in an accident.
• Previous claims or convictionsIt”s important you tell us about these events, or else it could invalidate your policy should you need to make a future claim.
• Industry trendsThis could include higher prices for parts and labour, patterns in car theft and the types of claims being made.
• Insurance Premium Tax (IPT)Government changes to IPT could unavoidably increase your quote.

There are many reasons why the cost of your car insurance may have changed on renewal, with some having a bigger impact than others.

If you choose to automatically renew, you can switch to manual renewal at any time. You’ll still get a renewal invite before the policy end date, but cover will stop if other arrangements aren’t made. If you do choose the convenience of automatic renewal, your renewal price won’t be any higher than one given to a new customer with like-for-like details.

Your premium is based on several factors relating to you, your car and your surroundings.

• Claims or convictionsYour claims and conviction history is taken into consideration when pricing your policy.
• InflationInflation increases the price of goods and services, impacting Direct Line’s claims and general expenses. Policy premiums will reflect such changes.
• Crime rateA spate of crimes resulting in more car insurance claims could see premiums increase to reflect the new risk level of your car’s location.
• Traffic levelsThe level of traffic on UK roads will change over time, influenced by things like the cost of petrol. When overall levels of traffic change, so do overall levels of claim frequency.
• How far you driveThe more miles you drive, the more likely you are to be involved in an accident.
• Industry trendsThis could include higher prices for parts and labour, patterns in car theft and the types of claims being made.
• Changes to Insurance Premium TaxGovernment changes to IPT could unavoidably increase your quote.