Car insurance concept with Carl the Wombat reading a road map upside down whilst Sergei the Meerkat looks concerned next to him.
A white car pulled over on the side of the road after bumping into some bins on approach to a 'road works ahead END' road sign. Carl the Wombat reading a road map upside down whilst Sergei the Meerkat looks concerned

Car insurance

Compare car insurance quotes and you could save £516^

  • Get a car insurance quote in minutes
  • Savings from trusted providers
  • Plus, enjoy fantastic rewards, on us*

^Based on Online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during August 2023, 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their car insurance through Compare the Market.

Compare cheap car insurance quotes from 166 trusted provider products[2], including:

See a full list of our car insurance providers

[2] Correct as of September 2023.

What do I need to get a car insurance quote?

To get a car insurance quote, you’ll need to tell us about:

1. Your car and how you use it

We’ll need the registration number or the car’s make, model and age. Plus we’ll need to know whether you use your car for pleasure or business, and how many miles a year you drive.

2. Your details

Including your name, how old you are, where you live, your job title and the type of industry you work in. We’ll need the same for any drivers you want to add.

3. Your driving and your licence

Tell us about your no-claims discount (NCD) if you have one, plus your driving history. If you can provide your driving licence number, it might lower the price with some auto insurance providers.

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Why compare car insurance with Compare the Market?

Our comparison service is quick and easy to use. Just pop in your details and see if you can find a cheap car insurance quote for your new car or beat your current insurance provider’s renewal quote. We compare some of the best car insurance providers to find you a great price from our panel.

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You could save up to £516[2] by comparing through us

[1] Correct as of September 2023.

[2] Based on Online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during August 2023, 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their car insurance through Compare the Market.

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What is car insurance and why do I need it?

Car insurance is a legal requirement. It offers financial protection for others if your car is involved in an incident that damages property or a vehicle, or injures another person. Third-party cover is the minimum legal requirement.

To cover your costs if your car is damaged in an accident, stolen, vandalised or catches fire, you’ll need a higher level of cover.

You can be fined a minimum of £300 and given six penalty points if you’re caught driving without car insurance. If you end up in court, you face an unlimited fine and could be disqualified from driving.

What type of car insurance do I need?

The type of car insurance you need depends on the level of cover you want.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive policies offer the best car insurance protection, and it can be the cheapest level of cover for many drivers. It’s worth comparing car insurance quotes and their level of cover to see if it’s the right car insurance option for you.

Average price: £848/year[3]

Learn more about comprehensive car insurance

Third-party, fire and theft

Could pay out if your car is stolen or damaged by fire. While it protects you against the cost of damage or injury to third parties, it won’t cover you for the cost of damage to your own car in an accident.

Average price: £1,296/year[4]

Learn more about third-party, fire and theft car insurance

Third-party only

Third-party cover is the minimum level of car cover needed to legally drive on UK roads. It covers you for injury or damage caused to other people and their property. There’s no cover for you or your car.

Average price: £1,840/year[5]

Learn more about third-party car insurance

51% of our customers were quoted less than [3] £847.48 for their comprehensive car insurance, [4] £1,295.02 for their third-party fire and theft car insurance, [5] £1,839.95 for their third-party car insurance.

Prices correct as of September, 2023.

Are there any specialist vehicle insurance policies tailored to me?

You can find specialist insurance policies for particular types of vehicles, such as classic cars, motorhomes, imported cars and modified cars.

Likewise, some providers specialise in covering different types of drivers, for example:

Learner drivers

… if you have a provisional licence

Young drivers

… if you don’t have much experience

New drivers

… if you’ve just passed your test

Student drivers

… if you’re away at college or university

Over 50s

… if you’re an experienced driver

Named drivers

… if you’re named on someone else’s policy

Disabled drivers

… if you have health issues or drive an adapted vehicle

Occasional drivers

…if you borrow a car from time to time

Drivers with convictions

…if you have points on your licence or have been disqualified

Just fill in your details when you start a quote and we’ll look for policies that match your situation.

How can I get cheaper car insurance?

There are plenty of things you could do to help you save money on your car insurance policy:

The information in this video is available as a text transcript.

Find more ways to save on your car insurance.

How much does car insurance cost?

The price for car insurance reflects the risk the insurance provider faces. It factors in the value of your car, including how expensive it would be to replace or repair.

It also factors in whether you’re likely to drive responsibly and how many miles you drive.

Here’s how much UK drivers can typically expect car insurance to cost monthly (excluding interest) and annually:

£848/year £70.62/month
for comprehensive cover[6]

£454/year  £37.83/month
for over 50s[7]

£425/year £35.42/month
for over 60s[6]

£466/year £38.83/month
for over 70s[7]

£801/year £66.75/month

for learner drivers
between 17-24 years old[7]

£1,929/year £160.75/month

for young drivers
between 17-24 years old[7]

 

[6] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £847.48 a year for comprehensive car insurance, or £70.62 per month.

[7] 51% of over 50s, over 60s, over 70s, learner drivers and young drivers between 17-24 years old could achieve these quotes for their car insurance.

 Based on Compare the Market data in September 2023. Monthly cost is based on the annual lump-sum payment, excluding any interest charged on monthly instalments.

What can affect your price?

There are several factors that could influence your overall car insurance cost. These include:

  • Insurance group – the lower the insurance group your car is in, the less you’re likely to pay for your premium.
  • How much you drive – there’s less chance of you having an accident if you have low annual mileage, so your car insurance could be cheaper.
  • Your jobsome occupations are considered less risky than others and therefore result in cheaper premiums.
  • Your address – if you live in an area with low claims, this could translate into lower premiums.
  • Your age – older drivers will generally pay much less than young drivers as they’re seen as having more experience.
  • Your driving experience – experienced drivers with no claims will typically pay less than new drivers and young drivers as they present a lower risk.
  • Any criminal convictions – avoiding points on your licence keeps your premiums low. Convicted drivers are considered a higher risk, so are likely to pay more.
  • Any claimsyour claims history, including any no-claims discount, could make your premium cheaper.
  • Additional drivers – adding a named driver to your policy could lower your premium if they’re an experienced driver with no claims.

Learn more about how your car insurance premium is calculated.

Why has the cost of car insurance increased recently?

The cost of car insurance may have risen rapidly in 2023 for a number of reasons.

Insurance providers have paid out more in claims – £2.4 billion in the first quarter of 2023, up 14% on the same quarter last year, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

The costs of providing replacement cars while vehicles are being repaired jumped 29% in the past year, since the first quarter of 2022. This is partly due to longer average repair times, meaning that these vehicles are supplied for longer.

For Compare the Market customers, this has all resulted in a surge in the average annual car insurance premium for motorists to £743 in June 2023 – a £208 or 39% increase compared with the same month in 2022.

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Optional upgrades and add-ons

You can get plenty covered with these optional extras. This includes everything from a broken windscreen and breakdown cover to legal expenses and personal accident cover. Be aware, though, that you’ll have to pay extra to add them to your policy. Think carefully about what you need; you don’t want to end up paying more than you need to.

Breakdown cover

Breakdown cover could help you carry on with your journey if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere or won’t start outside your home.

Personal accident cover

If you or your partner are killed or seriously injured in a car accident, personal accident cover could provide compensation.

Motor legal protection

If you’re injured in an accident or have a car-related dispute that results in legal action, motor legal protection could help cover your legal expenses.

Car keys cover

Lost keys cover could cover the costs of replacing and reprogramming lost or stolen car keys.

No-claims discount protection

Your no-claims discount could cut the cost of your premium. Protect it by adding this cover to your insurance.

Windscreen cover

Broken or chipped car windscreens can be expensive to repair. Windscreen cover could take care of the cost.

Courtesy car cover 

Courtesy car cover gives you a car to use when yours is in the garage being repaired after an accident.

Wrong fuel cover

Misfuelling cover could cover the cost of draining and cleaning your tank, the cost of repairs or both.

Personal belongings cover

Possessions cover could cover your personal belongings if they’re stolen from your car.

Author image Julie Daniels

What our expert says...

“With rising car insurance costs, many of us will be looking for ways to save money on our premiums. You could save if you’re in a financial position to pay your car insurance policy annually.

If you can’t pay your premium in one go, there are other options that could help cut costs. Shopping around for the cheapest deal when your policy ends could save you hundreds of pounds. Switching to a telematics policy may also be a good option for some young motorists, whose premiums could be reduced if they show they’re safe drivers.”

- Julie Daniels, Motor insurance expert

What types of cars can I insure?

As well as insurance for standard cars, we can help you find the right cover for cars that are a bit different.

Classic car

There’s no one definition of a classic car, but insurance providers consider it to be one that’s at least 15 years old.

We can help you find cheap car insurance cover for your classic, provided it was manufactured from 1970 onwards.

Sports car

High-performance cars can be attractive to thieves, and they’re likely to be driven faster than regular cars. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that sports car insurance can be expensive. Compare car insurance quotes to see if you can find the right deal for your pride and joy.

Imported cars

Cars imported into the UK can be more expensive to insure because insurance providers may find it harder to assess their risk. Whether yours is a parallel import or a grey import, it’s important to find the right cover for your imported car.

Modified cars

Some modifications, like fitting an immobiliser, could cut the cost of your car insurance. However, cosmetic and performance modifications can make them riskier from an insurance provider’s point of view.

Understand how car modifications can affect your car insurance quote and find the right cover for you.

Electric cars

Sales of electric cars are growing. However, these vehicles can be more expensive to insure than conventionally fuelled cars. This is because the sophisticated technology they use can make them more expensive to repair.

Green cars

Green cars include electric and hybrid vehicles as well as cars that run on biofuel, hydrogen or LPG. Find out about insuring your hybrid car.

What other types of cover can I get?

Get cover to suit the way you use your car. You might want to look at:

Business use cover

If you use your car for work, business car insurance could cover you.

Short-term cover

Temporary car insurance can cover you for anything from 1 hour to 28 days. It’s ideal if you want to share the driving or borrow someone else’s car or van.

Driving abroad

Going to be driving in Europe? Make sure you have the car insurance cover you need.

Multiple cars

Insuring several cars registered at the same address under a multi-car policy could be cheaper than insuring them separately.

Telematics insurance 

Younger drivers in particular may benefit from telematics insurance, also known as black box insurance. Your premium is based on data about your driving from a telematics device installed in your car or a telematics smart phone app.

Excess protection

Excess insurance can cover the cost of your excess – the amount you have to pay towards a claim on your insurance.

Get a car insurance quote in minutes to see if you can save.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is car insurance for new drivers more expensive?

New drivers are considered more of a risk by insurance providers. This is partly because of inexperience, but mainly because most new drivers are young drivers.

There are ways you can help to reduce the cost of your insurance – telematics policies could be cheaper, for example.

Is it better to pay car insurance annually or monthly?

Whether it’s better to pay for your premium annually or each month will depend on your circumstances.

Paying your car insurance annually, in a lump sum, is usually cheaper than paying monthly. A monthly payment plan could mean you pay more as you might be charged interest on the instalments.

Do I need a credit check to buy car insurance?

The insurance provider will carry out a credit check if you want to pay for your car insurance monthly. Providers will also look at your credit score (a soft search) when you compare insurance quotes, but this is just to check your details and won’t affect your score.

How do I estimate my mileage?

To estimate your mileage:

  • Work out how many miles you drive every day or week, then add them up to work out your annual use.  
  • Or check your MOT certificate or car service record, which will show how many miles you’ve driven. Use this as a basis to calculate your future mileage.

Mileage can affect your car insurance premium – the more you drive, the more of a risk providers consider you to be. Be as accurate as you can when you estimate your annual mileage.

If you underestimate, it could invalidate your policy. If you overestimate, you could end up paying more than you need to.

How do I work out my car’s value?

To work out your car’s value, you can use a free valuation tool like the one from Autotrader. Or look at used car listings to see the prices of models the same as yours that are of a similar age, condition and mileage.

When you compare car insurance with us and enter your registration number, where possible we’ll give you a valuation figure based on the car’s market value. This is the amount you’d receive if your car was written off.

How long is my quote valid for?

Some insurance quotes last as long as 60 days, but some can change at any point.

When you compare car insurance with us, you can save your searches. Remember though, you won’t necessarily get the price that you saved when you come back to buy your policy.

Will I be charged if I cancel my policy?

If you cancel your car insurance policy within the 14-day cooling off period, you might have to pay an admin fee but you’ll get a refund minus the days the policy was active for.

If you cancel later on, you might have to pay cancellation fees and admin fees. You may or may not get a refund, depending on the circumstances and whether you pay for your policy annually or monthly.

How do I claim on my car insurance?

To make a claim on your car insurance:

  1. Check your policy documents for details of how to claim and any time limits.
  2. Contact your insurance provider directly.
  3. Get a crime reference number from the police if your car has been stolen or vandalised.
  4. Gather the information you need to give to your insurance provider, including details of the other driver(s) and any witnesses. You’ll need to get all these details at the scene.

You must always tell your insurance provider if you’ve had an accident – whether you claim or not. If you don’t tell them, you could invalidate your policy.

When might a claim be rejected?

There are a few reasons an insurance provider might not pay your car insurance claim. It might be that:

  • You’re not covered for what you’re trying to claim for
  • There’s a dispute over who’s at fault in an accident
  • The provider believes you’ve invalidated your car insurance – perhaps by giving inaccurate information or not telling them about something they should know.

If your claim is turned down and you don’t think it’s justified, you can take action and dispute the refusal to pay your claim.

I had to make a claim last year. Will my insurance go up?

If you made a claim last year, you’re likely to pay more for your car insurance on renewal.

In fact, your premium may go up even if you have an accident and don’t make a claim. This is because the insurance provider might consider you a higher risk of having another accident. Even if an incident wasn’t your fault, an accident could affect your car insurance premium.

Your no-claims discount shouldn’t be affected if it’s protected, but your basic premium is still likely to go up.

What does car insurance excess mean?

Car insurance excess is the amount you’ll have to pay towards a claim on your insurance. There are two elements of car insurance excess:

  • Compulsory excess – this is set by the insurance provider. You might have to pay an additional compulsory excess if you drive a high-performance car or if you’re a young driver.
  • Voluntary excess – this is the amount you agree to pay in addition to the compulsory excess. Agreeing a higher voluntary excess can reduce the cost of your insurance, but you’ll need to make sure you can afford to pay it if you make a claim.

How does telematics work?

Telematics or ‘black box’ insurance uses technology to monitor the way you drive and transmits the data to your insurance provider. If you drive safely, it could lead to cheaper car insurance.

Telematics insurance works either through a GPS device – a black box – fitted in your car or a smartphone app. It records how you corner and brake, your speed, the time of day and how far you drive, for example.

Black box insurance provides evidence that you’re a safe driver and could reduce your premiums. This makes it particularly useful for young and inexperienced drivers.

Older drivers with low mileage may also find it can help save them money.

Can my parents help me get cheaper car insurance?

If you share your car with one of your parents, having them on your policy as a named or additional driver could reduce your premium. But they mustn’t be on the policy as the main driver if they’re not. This is a type of fraud called fronting and it’s illegal.

What is a no-claims bonus?

A no-claims bonus, also called a no-claims discount or NCD, builds up every year you have car insurance without making a claim. You can accumulate up to five years and sometimes more, depending on the insurance provider.

Your NCD can cut the cost of your car insurance when you renew. You can also opt to protect it so that it’s not affected if you do make a claim.

Do I need insurance if my car is off the road?

You can officially declare your car off the road with a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) and you won’t need to have insurance. But your car won’t be covered if it’s damaged while it’s parked up.

You also won’t be able to park or drive the car on a road legally until insurance is in place and the SORN has ended.

What are the new rules for car insurance and how do they affect my premium?

Since January 2022, insurance providers have been required to offer renewing customers a price that’s no higher than what they’d pay as a new customer.

This could make car insurance more expensive for customers who usually shop around every year. But it means that loyal customers who stick with the same policy will no longer be paying more to subsidise those cheaper prices.

However, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t shop around, as the prices between different providers can still vary widely.

Will a comprehensive policy allow me to drive someone else’s car?

It depends on the insurance provider so be sure to check your policy documents.

In the past policies often covered driving other cars but this is no longer the case. Instead, you could be added as a named driver to the other person’s policy. Alternatively, you could opt for temporary car insurance.

What admin fees should I expect?

If you make alterations to your car insurance policy, adding a named driver, for example, you may have to pay an admin fee. You’ll also usually need to pay a fee for cancelling your policy or missing a payment.

With a telematics policy, you might have to pay a fee if you go over the specified mileage.

Any fees will be set out in your policy documents. Fees can vary widely among providers. However, you may be able to avoid some of them if you make changes to your account online.

Do driving courses lower the cost of insurance?

Driving courses like Pass Plus might lower the cost of your premium, but it’s up to the individual provider.

But taking an advanced driving course may make you less likely to be involved in an accident, which will help keep down the cost of your car insurance in the longer term.

How can I check if my car is insured?

The simplest way to see if your car is insured is to check your registration number on the Motor Insurance Database (MID). This is a national register of all the cars insured in the UK.

The free search will tell you whether your vehicle has a current, valid insurance policy in place, but not the details of your insurance.

What do our customers say about our car insurance comparison service?

Based on 93,683 reviews, our customers rated us 4.6 out of 5.

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Page last reviewed on 11 OCTOBER 2023
by Alex Hasty

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