Price comparison sites: a quick guide
Choice is a great thing, but having hundreds of products to choose from can make decision-making more difficult. Price comparison websites like comparethemarket.com can take the hassle out of finding the best deal. Here's how they work…
What is a price comparison site?
If value for money matters, it makes sense to research your options before you buy. Price comparison sites such as comparethemarket.com allow you to quickly compare hundreds of different prices and find the best deal on the product you want.
What do I have to do?
1. Enter your details and product requirements - you only need to do this once. The website searches its listings of relevant companies and lists the ones that offer the product you're looking for. This usually takes less than 30 seconds.
2. For more information or to buy a particular product, just click the accompanying link. This will either take to the provider's own website or let you buy then and there.
Compare car insurance quotes with comparethemarket.com now>>
Finding your best match
You may have certain criteria in mind when you're looking for a particular product, such as the price or the special features included.
A comparison website makes it quick and easy to weed out the options that aren't right for you - and home in on the ones that are.
Try before you buy
It's easy to change various options to see how they impact on the final price you have to pay. For example, if you're looking for cheaper insurance premiums, you might try just changing your voluntary excess figure and running a new search. Find out more about excesses in our quick guide.
How does comparethemarket.com make money?
We don't charge you any commission. We have relationships with the insurance companies listed on the site where they pay us for helping to sell the policy. We don't add anything to the price you pay, so we can be sure to find you an excellent deal.
Some price comparison sites accept payment for certain products to be placed higher in results listings. We will always list the cheapest price to you first, and the price you see will be the price you pay - with no hidden extras.
Your details won't be used and abused
If you decide to buy from comparethemarket.com, your details will be shared with your chosen provider. They won't be used for any other purpose or shared with anyone else, unless you explicitly give your consent.
Top tips
Make the comparison count. No comparison site covers every company, but the more high-quality products they include in their search, the more likely you are to get the best deal. We compare over 400 products from the UK's top insurers on your behalf.
Be accurate. Any details you provide online are used as a basis for your purchase, and if you're buying insurance, they affect the amount of cover you receive.
Don't be tempted to bend the truth to get a cheaper quote -you could get a nasty surprise when you make a claim!
Get the added value. Specialist comparison sites provide valuable expertise and product information. As well as comparing premiums from hundreds of reputable insurers, comparethemarket.com offers plenty of advice on what to look for.
Keep it independent. A useful comparison site doesn't push one brand over another or use confusing advertising to "recommend" a product. We are part of BISL Ltd, an independent intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) - which means our price comparisons are kept impartial, clear and simple.
Car Insurance Comparison Sites UK
Please note that we only compare UK insurance providers.