Car makers offer free payment protection

A host of manufacturers are revealing free payment protection plans, hoping to entice potential car buyers into showrooms.

New car sales are down and car makers believe that the threat of redundancy is discouraging car buyers from making major purchases.

In response, Honda has announced a range of offers including free payment protection against redundancy.

It is available on a range of Civics and CR-Vs purchased through Honda Finance. It means that Honda will cover monthly repayments for up to a year should customers be made redundant for a period of more than three months.

Payment Protection Insurance is also free with all new C30, S40 and V50 models bought through Volvo Car Finance.

Should customers become unemployed during the first 18 months of owning the car, Volvo will pay all monthly payments for up to a year. In addition, the insurance provides life, accident and sickness cover, too.

Renault is offering free payment protection insurance for all new cars bought in April through Renault Finance, and it will cover the customer's payments for the first 12 months should they be unable to work through accident, sickness or redundancy.

As will all insurance, terms and conditions apply, so check with your dealer for full details.

These offers should not prevent you from haggling with a dealer to get the lowest price on your new car.