Martin Lewis has revealed a little-known insurance trick that he says could save motorists hundreds of pounds a year - and it all comes down to when you get your quote.
The MoneySavingExpert founder says many people make the same mistake every year by waiting until their renewal notice arrives or their policy is about to expire before shopping around.
But according to Martin, that timing could be costing drivers a fortune.
Speaking on ITV's Martin Lewis Money Show Live, the consumer champion described the tip as one of the most important money-saving hacks he has ever shared.
"It sounds ridiculous," he admitted.
The secret is simple: don't wait until the last minute.
Instead, Martin says the "sweet spot" for getting car insurance quotes is around 26 days before your new policy starts.
"The price you're quoted then can - and it doesn't work for everyone, but it works for many people - beat nearly half what would happen if you got a quote the day of your renewal," he said.
"Bonkers, isn't it?"
The advice is based on analysis of millions of insurance quotes and centres on how insurers assess risk.
According to Martin, insurance companies use complex actuarial models to predict who is more likely to make a claim.
"The type of people who leave it to the last minute are deemed to be a higher risk than the people who go and get their insurance earlier, so they pay more," he explained.
His advice for procrastinators was straightforward.
"Even if you're the type of person who leaves it to the last minute, in this one, get your diary, try and subvert the system, do it earlier and you can save money."
And the potential savings can be huge.
One viewer, Selene, told the programme she had paid £913 for her car insurance the previous year and assumed the high premium was simply because she was 63.
After following Martin's 26-day rule, she secured the same cover for £468 - saving £445.
Another viewer, Nicolo, was initially quoted £555 but found a policy for just £222 when he checked again around 25 days before renewal.
"That's why the sweet spot is sweet," Martin said.
The same principle applies to home insurance too.
However, the ideal time to shop around for home cover is slightly different, with Martin saying the best deals are often found around 15 to 20 days before renewal.
Insurance specialists at UK Sure said the advice catches many people by surprise but can make a significant difference.
A spokesperson said: "This is one of those tips that genuinely surprises people when they first hear it but the logic behind it is sound."
"Insurers price based on behaviour and shopping around at the right time rather than at the last minute can make a real difference to the quote received."
They added that setting a reminder takes only a few minutes but the potential savings "can run into hundreds of pounds".
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For anyone with a renewal approaching, the message is clear: don't wait for the deadline.
Instead, mark your calendar around 26 days before your car insurance renewal - or 15 to 20 days for home insurance - and start comparing quotes.
With insurance costs remaining high for many households, getting the timing right could be one of the easiest ways to cut a major annual bill without reducing your cover.
