Cheaper insurance for your company car fleet may seem like an obvious choice, but you could be asking for trouble.

Dave Williams, of Henshalls Insurance Brokers, in Newport and Shrewsbury, said car insurance was currently one of the most competitive markets in the industry.

"This is good news for Shropshire companies who are looking to cut costs, but any deal that seems too good to be true is probably hiding the real story.

"There's a general misconception that all car insurance policies are more or less the same - but this couldn't be further from the truth as terms and conditions can vary greatly.

"And if you're switching to a cheaper policy, you're probably going to get less protection."

Dave said any companies considering moving to cheaper online or direct insurance policies should make sure they checked the small print very carefully.

"Check and double check the terms and conditions if you're buying direct - they should always be available on the insurer's website.

"And if you're using an online comparison site, read the summary given at the end thoroughly, because the policy you're getting may be cheaper than your current one, but you may not be getting the same level of cover."

He said it was also important to not just file the policy away when the documents arrived.

"You have 14 days after you receive the documents to change your mind, so check again what's covered and what isn't. If there's a problem, the insurance company can usually add extra cover at a cost, but if not, you have the right to cancel.

"In today's hi-tech world of internet searches and comparison sites, it may seem old fashioned to consider using an insurance broker, but don't rule it out as an option.

"If the broker can't find a good deal, you don't have to insure through them, but the good news is that they will do all the search work for you.

"They will make sure you have the right policy for your needs, rather than you spending valuable time surfing the internet for the best deal."

For more information about Henshalls, please visit their website here: www.henshalls.com