Women make better drivers than men, and although some may not agree, the statistics are out to prove it. Not only do they have less major accidents but also file fewer claims and as a result insurance companies are more than willing to offer significantly lower rates to reward them. Results also show they drive shorter distances and at a much slower rate, their cars also tend to have smaller engines meaning they are less likely to speed and therefore less of a risk to insurers.

As women make up more than 45% of the British driving population it's no surprise that insurance companies not only offer more competitive rates but many have begun to include varying additional benefits and features specifically designed for the female driver. Although it's easy to say that car insurance is cheaper for women there still needs to be some level of caution taken when making the purchase. Take time to make sure the policy you obtain is beneficial to you and within your own personal price range. Two important aspects to consider when looking for a policy are the premiums involved, which is the excess you pay before your insurer contributes any extra, and also the level of cover offered with each policy. Premiums do vary significantly in cost and tend to decrease as your level of cover increases. The biggest decision you need to make is how much you are willing to pay or can afford in relation to the costs associated with fixing you car if it happens to get damaged. Usually if you have a car of low value that would cost less to fix, it wouldn't be as beneficial to have full cover.

The three different levels of car insurance available through most companies, minus the extra benefits and alternative options are Third Party only, Third Party Fire and Theft and Comprehensive, all with varying levels of cover and differing costs. The main difference between the three is what is covered by the policy and how much you pay, with Third Party Only and Third Party Fire and Theft your cover only compensates a third party in the event of an accident, not you or your car. On the other hand Full Comprehensive cover insures a third party as well as you and your car, and usually includes additional benefits like breakdown cover and a courtesy car if you need one. With Comprehensive insurance it's your insurance company who will cover the majority of costs and also organise the repair of your car for you.

When going through the process of choosing between these three covers it's easy for many women to fall into the trap of purchasing car insurance which may seem right, but when the time comes to make a claim it is in no way suitable. It's always tempting to go for the cheaper option but you have to ask yourself whether this insurer will offer you a good standard of cover at a great rate? Many cheaper car insurance providers have higher excess rates to discourage making smaller claims on minor accidents, as the majority of women only ever have minor accidents it could prove more costly in the long term. Also bear in mind when making a minor claim your no-claim bonus will be affected or lost and premiums will increase to offset the claim, adding more unwanted costs.

As with all car insurance policies caution needs to be taken to look at what each policy offers for what you're paying. As mentioned earlier there are many insurance companies that offer car insurance specifically for women. In the last decade the advancement in tailored options for the fairer sex has more than doubled, not only can women now have more personalised cover, they also have the option of additional benefits, like handbag cover and reduced breakdown costs, which are not as readily available for men.

Amongst all that's on offer it's easy to get lost amongst the multitude of options being thrown at you, but you need to sift through them to find what's best for you and the easiest way to do this is to shop around. It's very important for women to compare the various companies who offer tailored insurance for them and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each to find cover for them. The Internet is a great place to start and it's easy to find a multitude of companies willing to offer competitive rates specifically for women. It also requires less time on your behalf, and as women are becoming busier than ever before, you don't have the time to sit on the phone chasing insurance companies. With online quotes women can wait for the insurers to contact them and can also benefit from the many special offers available if you purchase online. But what it comes down to in the end is making sure you are confident on the cover you want and what you can afford so you are not spending endless hours searching for something not right for you. Take the time to weigh up all factors before getting started and you can be more confident in your final purchase.