Why you should try comparison sites

What is a comparison site?

Comparison websites are a simple concept. They let you compare the cost of different goods and services, allowing you to make a more informed choice about the product you need. It’s not just about finding the cheapest deal, but also getting the correct package for you.

How do they work?

Comparison sites search the internet on your behalf for the best deals. By entering the details of the products you want, they return a list that is ordered by price, usually from low to high. When you buy a product or service via a comparison site, they take a cut of whatever you pay. You should also be aware that some deals are exclusive to certain sites and can appear at the top of search results even if they’re more expensive than other available deals. However, these must be labelled as such. Always scroll down the page to see every deal on offer.

What can I buy using a comparison site?

Insurance
Perhaps the most well–known product available on comparison sites. You can buy cover for cars, home contents, buildings, breakdown cover, mobile phones, travel and health. Sites will ask you to input personal information before giving you a list of quotes to choose from, including driving history for car cover and medical history for health and travel. Set aside at last 15 minutes to make a comprehensive search. Remember to look beyond the price and check what coverage that price will get you. It may be that the cheapest deal isn’t always the best.

Gas and electric
Switching gas and electric suppliers can feel hugely stressful. Comparison sites are designed to take the sting out of the process. They’ll let you pick deals for each service separately or try and find a ‘dual fuel’ package that covers both. You’ll be asked to enter what you currently pay, as well as your address, so that the comparison site can find you the best deal. When you choose the one you want, the energy company you pick should then inform your current supplier that you are switching, smoothing the process.

Mobile phones
Going into a mobile phone shop can be daunting. Using a comparison website, however, is a great way to find the right deal for you without having to understand all the jargon associated with buying a new phone or entering a new contract. Comparison sites offer deals to suit all budgets, with every phone imaginable available. They aggregate the cost of devices and contracts, clearly breaking down the cost before giving you a link to follow to sign up for a deal. To see deals, you don’t need to put in any personal information, just the length of deal you want and what kind of phone you would like. You can also search for SIM only deals. SIMs are the cards that power mobile phones – if your contract has finished but you don’t want a new phone, getting a SIM only deal is the best way to make savings. Simply use the SIM only deals search on comparison websites – most let you set how much you’d like to spend each month and show you deals that are right for you.

Broadband and TV
Finding a deal for the right kind of broadband (the name for a home internet connection) and pay TV package is tricky if you try and do all the research yourself. Price comparison sites let you see deals where broadband and TV are sold together, allowing you to make a saving if you want both services. Often, they will have deals that are unavailable elsewhere, such as free trials, cheaper initial monthly payments and perks such as shopping vouchers.

Mortgage, credit cards and loans
It can feel onerous to try and find the right kind of personal finance package, whether it’s a new mortgage, credit card or personal loan. Price comparison sites let you see deals by taking some personal details, supplying you with a number to call if you’d like to speak with someone directly at the bank or loan company that has the best offer.

What sites should I look out for?

The internet has numerous price comparison sites, all of which offer similar deals, with some exclusives that are unavailable elsewhere. The most reputable websites are uSwitch, Compare The Market, Go Compare and Money Supermarket. All offer excellent deals and have solid reputations that mean you’ll be able to find savings, whatever the service you’re looking to buy.

A good tactic is to look across all the major price comparison sites to see if you can get a better deal by shopping around. Remember that major companies such as Direct Line and Aviva do not list their products on price comparison sites.