In a recent article in the Irish Times I read that shopping around for your household insurance could save you more than €360 per year which was highlighted by a recent National Consumer Agency survey.  This survey compared quotes from eight different companies and the biggest savings found was €362 based on a 2 bed terraced house in Waterford City.

The average savings made was €318 and even making a saving of this amount would make a great difference to most households pocket. With the survey last week by the Irish League of Credit Unions showing that nearly 40% of Irish people were struggling to pay their bills. It also suggested that 5 out of 10 people surveyed had switched their insurance provider in the past twelve months which is encouraging that at least some of us are availing of the savings to be made.

So how can you start to make these savings. Very simply pick up the phone or go on line.  Give yourself plenty of time, don’t leave it until the last minute. Get the details of cover from your current insurance provider and let them know that you will be shopping around. The survey indicated that six out of the eight companies that were surveyed would be willing to negotiate with existing consumers on their renewal quote if the consumer had secured a cheaper quote elsewhere.

It is clear that as consumers, we are in a much stronger position if we shop around to get the best value on offer.  Savings can be made with most household bills, if you are prepared to do a little homework.  Most of the information is available on line or by simply picking up the phone and spending a couple of minutes on a call.  Allowing yourself plenty of time before the next bill is due and use the comparison websites to help you locate who is giving the best deals to suit your needs.