Big savings can be achieved on car insurance premiums by the average family, according to a price comparison website.

Moneysupermarket.com says that although insurance is vital, there is no need to pay excessive amounts and costs can be cut in a number of ways.

Motorists could increase their voluntary excess from £100 to £500 - this would save an average of £69 a year.

Adding a partner would save around £18 and halving your mileage by car-pooling with a colleague would shave £9 off the bill.

Also if drivers paid their premiums annually instead of monthly they would save an average of £17.

Shopping around for the cheapest premiums would appear to produce the biggest saving at an average of £80 a year.

Richard Mason, from moneysupermerket.com, said: "You can trim your outgoings by shopping around and take several other easy steps to further reduce your premiums."

It also advises looking at home insurance polices where again big savings can be achieved by seeking out the best deals.

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