4x4 insurance

These days, it's not just farmers and people living in the sticks who you'll see in a 4x4. With a top safety record, style and ability to deal with all weather conditions, it's no wonder why it's such an appealing choice for many.

There are lots of reasons why people opt for a 4x4:

• They're typically very safe cars according to Euro NCAP.
• They're great in all weather conditions.
• They can easily handle different types of terrain.
• Many have space for growing families (like the 7-seater Audi Q7).
• They're good for towing caravans, trailers and horse boxes.
• There's a wide range of choices including the Land Rover Discovery, the Jaguar F-Pace and the Porsche Macan.

Whether you're using your vehicle for your daily commute or for weekend off-roading, you'll need to make sure you've got a 4x4 car insurance policy that suits your needs.

To get a quote for your car, click on 'GET A CAR QUOTE' at the top of the page.

You can make the process quicker for yourself by having some information ready:

• Details about you - Your license, any driving convictions you hold etc.
• The car - Either the registration number or make and model, how much it's worth etc.
• Additional drivers - Details of any other drivers you want added to the policy.
• Policy details - The type of policy you're looking for, when you want it to start etc.
• No claims bonus (NCB) - Make sure you know how many years' NCB you have.

If you have a pickup and are looking for insurance, you'll need to get a van insurance quote instead. Pickup trucks aren't classed as cars due to their longer wheel base, and the fact they often exceed 3.5 tonnes.

There are a few key differences if you're looking to insure your 4x4 compared to a regular car insurance policy. You might want to check if you're covered for these specific policy extras when comparing quotes:

• Member club discount: 4x4s are usually made of high-quality materials. Unfortunately, this means that parts can be quite costly to repair and replace. As a result, your vehicle could be in a higher insurance group than a standard car. Membership to certain 4x4 clubs means you may be able to benefit from an insurance discount – so this is well worth checking.
• Off-road cover: Some owners might never want a spot of mud to ever touch their vehicle. And others may want to take theirs off-road to really put their machine to the test. If you’re the latter, you may wish to check that your provider covers your vehicle for off-road use, as it’s not always a given. You may also wish to check with your insurer if you plan on taking part in competitive off-road use, as this may need specialist cover.
• Towing: You might never use your vehicle's towing capabilities, but it’s always worth checking if this is covered – as even in a 4x4 policy, it’s not always guaranteed. There are rules about towing insurance, so it may be worth becoming familiar with those, as well as camping etiquette if you plan on using a caravan site.
• Green laning insurance: If you’re into off-roading, certain rural routes and paths aren’t classified as roads, so would usually be excluded by regular car insurance. This is where 4x4 insurance specialists will offer Greenlane cover, allowing your vehicle to truly venture into the elements.
• Modifications: Many car owners pour their hearts and wallets into their vehicles, and 4x4 owners are no different. Unfortunately, modifying your vehicle can make finding insurance a bit tricky and can possibly affect your premium. Make sure you inform your provider about any changes you wish to make so you know your modifications will be protected.

Historically 4x4s had a bad rep for their fuel economy but they aren't necessarily the gas guzzlers they used to be. These days, models like the Range Rover Evoque and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class achieve a decent 33-67 combined miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving.

You're also likely to find that they're typically in a higher insurance group. Generally speaking, the higher the insurance group, the more expensive it is to insure. This is due to the likelihood of replacement parts being more costly, the bigger engine size, and their size meaning they could possibly do more damage when involved in accidents.

With these bigger engines, you might also find they have more expensive MOT and servicing costs. It's worth looking into this before you buy one.

4x4s can still pump out quite a bit of CO2. Check sites like Parkers to see what tax band your car falls into and take this into consideration for the overall costs. This makes shopping around for the cheapest 4x4 insurance all the more important.

If the potential cost of your insurance worries you, use Confused.com to compare quotes from a number of top UK brands to find the best 4x4 insurance deal for you. We've also come up with a few more useful ideas to hopefully help you save money:

• Quickquote- The most convenient way to get a cheap 4x4 insurance quote. If you've used our website previously, all you have to do is pop in your email address and car registration to receive your quote instantly.


• Improve car security - Don't underestimate how powerful a deterrent a car alarm can be. The startling sounds and lights of an alarm could be a big factor in making the would-be thief think again about taking your vehicle.


• Voluntary excess - Increasing your voluntary excess may help reduce the cost of your premium. This is worth looking at, especially if you consider yourself at a lower risk of being in an accident.


• Modifications - Avoiding modifications to your vehicle could also help to keep insurance costs down. Some insurers may class certain types of tow bars as modifications, so make sure you speak to your insurer about this if you have any concerns.