Also, make sure you 'shop around' with plenty of time before your renewal date.We shop around every year and move most years. You can't use comparison sites as they don't give you the same prices as you get by phoning directly.
Getting loads of quotes is a pain in the neck and everybody hates doing it. Insurance companies know this and hope you are lazy enough to think that because you found them cheaper last year you'll assume they're still the cheapest, won't bother phoning round and they put your premium up every year. The diffidence can be hundreds, it was on my car last year.
We always stick with the big guys. If you do need them the service you get is typically better, they have huge resources. Direct Line, Admiral, Esure, Churchill, usually one of those. Sometimes we'll be with the same company two years in a row but it is unusual.
Shopping around with only a few days until your renewal is due will get you a higher quote than shopping around with a month to spare!