Generally speaking, green car insurance policies work like standard car insurance. But there are a few key ways in which these policies differ, with the goal of being more eco friendly:
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While eco car insurance is tailored to provide you with a greener policy and reduce your carbon footprint, ultimately it gives you the same level of cover as standard car insurance.
Like all policies, it's available in three levels:
Taking out a green car insurance policy isn't the only way to be an environmentally friendly motorist. You might also consider investing in a green vehicle.
It’s more economical and efficient to keep a well-maintained car. Keep your tyres in good nick, and check their pressure regularly. You burn through more fuel if your tyres are under or over-inflated, so keeping them properly pumped can make a big difference.
You’ll use less fuel if you keep your car light, ditching any unnecessary weight. If they’re not necessary for the journey, remove roof racks, bike racks or luggage boxes. Not only will this lighten the vehicle, but it also reduces air resistance.
Using the air conditioning in your car can increase your fuel consumption by as much as 8-10%. So don’t use it if you don’t need to. But also make sure it’s recharged each year (known as ‘regas’), so that the aircon doesn’t need to work so hard to keep you at a comfortable temperature.
Also, opening the window to cool down is actually less efficient than using your AC. This causes drag, which has the same effect as weighing your car down.
If you regularly make the same journey as someone else you know - such as the school run - why not share lifts? Using two cars is worse for the environment than using just the one.
Before making a journey, ask yourself if you really need to use the car. For short journeys, it may be more efficient to walk, hop on public transport or a bike. Driving doesn’t always save time, especially over short distances - but it usually has the most environmental impact.
Using your car’s controls smoothly will help maximise your fuel efficiency. Harsh braking and rapid acceleration are inefficient, and lead to more wear and tear. It’s best to accelerate progressively, and brake gently.
High gears are also more fuel efficient. Shift into them as soon as you can. And when slowing down, delay going into lower gear. You can still slow down to a minimum in fourth or fifth.
On faster roads such as motorways, staying at a constant speed is more efficient. If you have cruise control, use this rather than maintaining your speed with the pedals. Bear in mind that cruise control works best on flat roads. Using it on a gradient actually makes your fuel economy worse.
Eco-safe driving is a recognised style of driving which contributes to road safety while reducing emissions. But please note that changing your driving style can take some getting used to. It's important to drive safely while progressing at a rate you're comfortable with.
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Page last reviewed: 01 July 2024
Reviewed by: Louise Thomas
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