Compare Car Insurance Quotes and See If You Could Save up to £518*

Why compare car insurance quotes before you renew?

Your renewal quote might be convenient, but it is still only one price from one provider. Another insurer may view the same driver, car, postcode, mileage and claims history differently, so comparing before you renew can give you a clearer view of what is actually available.

Staying with your current insurer is not automatically poor value. Sometimes it will be competitive. But it is worth checking if your renewal has jumped, your circumstances have changed, or you bought your last policy in a rush. MoneyHelper says it is best to compare quotes from a range of insurers before renewing, because there may be a cheaper or better deal available elsewhere. Source: MoneyHelper

Cheap is only useful if the policy still works when you need it. A lower premium can look attractive, then feel less useful once you check the excess, cover limits, exclusions or monthly payment costs. MoneyHelper also warns that cheapest is not necessarily best, because the right cover matters if you ever need to claim. Source: MoneyHelper

How our car insurance comparison engine works

Start with your registration number if you know it. If not, you can continue without it and add the car details manually. Either way, the quote journey is there to collect the details insurers need, then show available options from the comparison panel.

1. Enter your registration number, or continue without it if the reg is not to hand.
2. Add your driver details, including how the car is used, who drives it and where it is normally kept.
3. Choose the cover you want to compare, such as comprehensive, third party fire and theft, or third party only.
4. Review the available quotes and look beyond the headline price before making a decision.
5. Continue only if the policy suits you. There is no obligation to buy after comparing.

Quotes are provided through Quotezone, a UK insurance comparison service operated by Seopa Ltd. We act as an introducer, so we do not sell, arrange or manage the insurance policy ourselves. You can read more about Quotezone through Seopa’s own information page. Source: Seopa

What details do you need to compare car insurance?

You do not need a folder full of paperwork to start comparing, but it helps to have the basics close by. The quote journey will usually need enough information about your car, how you drive and the cover you want, so insurers can return prices that match your circumstances rather than a rough guess.

Your registration number is the quickest starting point. If you do not know it, you can still continue and add the vehicle details manually. Quotezone lists details such as vehicle registration, vehicle model, licence type, claims, convictions, additional drivers, annual mileage, vehicle use, voluntary excess and no-claims bonus among the information used to provide quote comparison results. Source: Quotezone

• Your car: registration number if you have it, or the make, model, estimated value and whether the vehicle has been modified.
• Your address and job: your postcode, where the car is usually kept overnight and your occupation.
• Your driving details: licence type, how long you have been driving, estimated annual mileage and how you use the car.
• Your history: previous claims, driving convictions and the number of years of no-claims discount you hold.
• Other drivers: details for any named drivers you want to add to the policy.
• Your cover: the start date, the level of cover you want to compare and the voluntary excess you would be comfortable paying.

What affects the price of your car insurance?

Car insurance prices are personal. Two drivers can live in the same town, drive similar cars and still see very different quotes because insurers look at a mix of details before pricing a policy.

MoneyHelper says insurers may take account of factors such as your age, driving history, job, whether you use the car for commuting and where you live when calculating the cost of cover. Source: MoneyHelper Your choice of car matters too. MoneyHelper explains that cars are placed into insurance groups from 1 to 50, with group 1 generally the cheapest to insure and group 50 the most expensive. Source: MoneyHelper

• Your car: make, model, value, age, performance, security features, modifications and insurance group can all affect the price you are quoted.
• Where you live: your postcode and where the car is kept overnight can matter because insurers look at location-based risk as part of the quote.
• Your driving history: previous claims, motoring convictions, years driving and no-claims discount can all change how an insurer views your application.
• How you use the car: annual mileage, commuting, business use and who else drives the car can make a difference.
• Your cover choices: the level of cover, voluntary excess, optional extras and whether you pay monthly or annually can all affect the final cost.

What level of car insurance should you compare?

The cheapest-looking quote is not always the best one to choose. Car insurance is usually compared across three main cover levels, and each one protects you in a different way. The important bit is what would actually happen if you needed to claim.

MoneyHelper explains the main differences between third party only, third party fire and theft, and comprehensive car insurance. Third party only covers damage you cause to other cars or property, third party fire and theft adds cover if your own car is stolen or damaged by fire, and comprehensive cover adds protection for damage to your own car caused by accidents. Source: MoneyHelper

It is easy to assume that less cover must mean a lower price, but that is not always how car insurance works. MoneyHelper recommends checking the price of different cover levels when looking for cheaper car insurance, because comprehensive cover can sometimes cost less than third party options. Source: MoneyHelper

How to get cheaper car insurance quotes

There is no single trick that makes car insurance cheaper for everyone. The better approach is to check the details that can affect your quote, compare properly, and avoid choosing a policy on price alone.

MoneyHelper recommends comparing quotes from a range of insurers before renewing, checking different cover levels, being accurate with your mileage and considering whether paying annually is cheaper than paying monthly if you can afford it. Source: MoneyHelper

• Compare before accepting your renewal: a renewal quote is easy to accept, but it is still worth checking what other providers may offer before the policy rolls over.
• Look at annual and monthly payment costs: paying annually is often cheaper overall than paying monthly, but only choose it if it is affordable for you.
• Set a sensible voluntary excess: a higher excess may reduce your premium, but it only makes sense if you could afford to pay it if you needed to claim.
• Be honest with your mileage: lower mileage may reduce the premium, but do not underestimate it. A cheaper quote is only useful if the details behind it are accurate.
• Consider telematics if it fits how you drive: black box insurance can be useful for some drivers, especially younger or newer drivers, but it is not automatically the best option for everyone. MoneyHelper lists black box insurance as one route young drivers may want to understand when looking at costs. Source: MoneyHelper
• Add named drivers only when it is accurate: adding another driver can affect a quote, but the main driver must be the person who genuinely uses the car most.

How your no-claims discount can affect your quote

Your no-claims discount can be one of the first things an insurer wants to know about. In simple terms, it rewards you for claim-free driving. The longer you go without claiming on your car insurance, the more valuable that history can become when you compare.

MoneyHelper explains that a no-claims bonus is the discount insurers offer when you do not claim on your policy, and that the discount usually increases with each claim-free year. It also says the discount can typically range from around 30% after one year to 65% or more after five years, although the actual discount depends on the insurer. Source: MoneyHelper

• It usually builds over time: each claim-free year can add to your no-claims history, although insurers do not all value it in exactly the same way.
• You may need proof when switching: if you move to a new insurer, you may be asked to prove your no-claims discount before the policy is confirmed.
• Protection is not a price freeze: no-claims bonus protection can allow you to make claims without affecting your no-claims bonus, but MoneyHelper says it does not guarantee that your overall premium will not increase after a claim. Source: MoneyHelper

Car insurance add-ons worth checking before you buy

A cheap quote can look less impressive once the extras are added. Some add-ons may be useful, some may already be included, and some might duplicate cover you have elsewhere. It is worth checking the final policy, not just the starting price.

MoneyHelper recommends checking what cover you may already have under other financial products before paying for extras, and gives legal expenses cover and breakdown cover as examples of add-ons that may be available separately or not needed at all. Source: MoneyHelper

• Breakdown cover: useful if you want roadside help, home start or recovery support, but check the level of cover and whether you already have it through another policy, bank account or standalone provider.
• Legal expenses cover: this may help with certain legal costs after an accident, but do not add it automatically. Check what it covers, the claim limits and whether you already have similar protection elsewhere.
• Courtesy car cover: a courtesy car can be helpful if your vehicle is being repaired, but MoneyHelper warns that you might only get one if you use an approved repairer, and some insurers limit how long you can keep it. Source: MoneyHelper
• Windscreen, keys and personal belongings: these can be useful, but limits, excesses and exclusions matter. If the cover is weak, the add-on may not be worth the extra price.
• Driving abroad: if you plan to take your car outside the UK, check whether European cover is included, how long it lasts and what level of protection applies.

Car insurance quotes for different drivers

Not every driver comes to car insurance with the same needs. A first-time driver, someone with years of no-claims discount, a person using their car for work, or a driver with previous convictions may all need to check different details before choosing a policy.

The quote you see depends on the information you enter, so it is better to be clear about your situation from the start. MoneyHelper explains that insurers can look at factors such as your age, job, driving history, where you live and how you use the car when pricing cover. Source: MoneyHelper

• Young or new drivers: age and driving experience can affect the cost of cover. MoneyHelper notes that younger drivers usually pay more because they are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. Source: MoneyHelper
• Over 50s drivers: experienced drivers may still see different prices between providers, especially if the car, annual mileage, address or named drivers have changed since the last renewal.
• Convicted drivers: motoring convictions need to be declared accurately when asked. Hiding or guessing details may cause problems later, especially if you need to claim.
• Electric car drivers: check that the policy suits the vehicle, charging equipment, repair needs and any battery-related terms. Do not assume every standard policy treats electric cars in the same way.
• Business use drivers: driving to one regular workplace is not the same as visiting clients, travelling between job sites or using the car as part of your working day. Make sure the quote reflects how the car is really used.
• Named drivers: adding another driver can change a quote, but the main driver must be the person who genuinely uses the car most.

How to switch car insurance without rushing

Switching car insurance is usually straightforward, but the dates matter. Before you cancel anything or let a renewal roll over, check when your current policy ends, whether auto-renewal is turned on, and when the replacement cover would begin.

You also need to avoid leaving the car uninsured if it is being used or kept on the road. GOV.UK says you must have motor insurance for your vehicle if you use it on roads and in public places, and that vehicles only avoid the insurance requirement if they are kept off the road and declared SORN. Source: GOV.UK

• Check your renewal date: look at the date your current policy ends before comparing. It is easier to switch cleanly when you are not already past the renewal deadline.
• Compare before auto-renewal: if your insurer renews automatically, check the renewal terms in good time so you do not accidentally keep a policy you meant to replace.
• Line up the start date: make sure the new policy starts when you need it. A gap in cover can create problems, but paying for two policies at once may also be unnecessary.
• Watch for cancellation fees: MoneyHelper says that if you paid upfront and cancel without having made a claim, you may receive a refund for remaining months, minus any cancellation fees. Source: MoneyHelper
• Keep proof of no-claims discount: if you are changing provider, keep your renewal notice or no-claims proof somewhere easy to find in case the new insurer asks for it.

Do not cancel your existing policy until you are clear on what replaces it. If you are switching mid-policy, check the fees first. The saving needs to be worth the admin.

Compare car insurance and support charity at no extra cost

The main reason to compare is simple: you want to check whether you can get the cover you need at a better price. There is an extra benefit when you use our site, though. When we earn from qualifying activity, we donate 20% of our profits to charity through our monthly charity poll.

That does not increase your quote, and there is no extra step to complete. You can compare as normal, decide whether any policy suits you, and know that our profit donation model helps support UK charities chosen by our users. You can read more about how our monthly charity donations work on our charity page and our About Us page.