Home and car insurance companies have been banned from charging existing customers more than new ones.

For many of us who have home or car insurance, our policies get automatically renewed each year. Firms have been getting away with charging us more each time this happens.

Unless we’re tech-savvy and know our way around the internet, there’s a good chance we’ve been paying more than the average price for sticking with the same insurer.

Luckily new rules will kick in from the end of September this year. Insurance firms won’t be able to charge existing customers more than new ones. They will also have to offer easier ways for us to cancel automatic policy renewals.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which has introduced the changes, estimates that six million Brits lost out on £1.2 billion, from paying too much for insurance.

These changes are especially beneficial for those of us who don’t have easy access to a computer or the internet. Being able to ‘shop around’ for the best deals online is one of the quickest ways to save money.

Getting insurance

If we don’t have home contents or car insurance, read our guide on why you may want to get cover.

Take a look at our guide to using comparison sites, and click here for a list of some of the best websites to use.

For a free online crash course to using the internet visit Learn My Way.

Quids in! Top Tip: If you don’t have access to a laptop or tablet you may be eligible for a free one from your local authority or social landlord. There are a number of schemes in place – check out the one we’re running in Bath & North East Somerset here.