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Car insurance

Compare car insurance quotes and you could save up to £461^

  • 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 September 2024, 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their car insurance through Compare the Market.

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 insurance providers.

Compare cheap car insurance quotes from 175 trusted provider products[2], including:

See a full list of our car insurance providers

[2] Correct as of September 2024.

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You could save up to £461[3] by comparing through us

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[3] Based on Online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during September 2024, 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their car insurance through Compare the Market.

What type of car insurance do I need?

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

Comprehensive car insurance

Comprehensive policies offer higher levels of car insurance protection compared with third-party policies. It can be the cheapest level of cover for many drivers.

Not all standard comprehensive policies offer the same level of cover, but they typically include cover for:

  • Third-party injuries and damage
  • Fire damage
  • Theft
  • Repair costs if your car is damaged
  • Replacement costs if your car is written off.

It’s worth comparing car insurance quotes and their level of cover to see if comprehensive cover is the right car insurance option for you.

Price per year: £776/year[4]

Third-party, fire and theft

This covers you for:

  • Damage or injuries to third parties
  • Fire damage
  • Theft
  • It won’t cover damage to your own car.

Price per year: £1,359/year[5]

Third-party only

Third-party cover is the minimum level of car cover needed to legally drive on UK roads.

It covers you for:

  • Injuries and damages to third parties.
  • It won’t cover you or your car.

Price per year: £1,861/year[6]

[4] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £775.48 for their comprehensive car insurance in September 2024.

[5] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £1,358.71 for their third party fire and theft car insurance in September 2024.

[6] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £1,860.68 per year for their third party car insurance in September 2024.

Expert car insurance tips and guides

Why compare car insurance with Compare the Market?

Our car insurance comparison service is quick and easy to use. Just add 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 most trusted car insurance providers to find you a great price from our panel.

Automated quotes

Let us automatically look for quotes for your car insurance, ahead of renewal

Compare quotes quickly

Get a quote in just 7 minutes[1]

See your savings

You could save up to £461[3] by comparing through us

[1] Correct as of September 2024.

[3] Based on Online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during September 2024, 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their car insurance through Compare the Market.

Do I need car insurance?

Yes, you need car insurance to legally drive on UK roads. Car insurance can financially protect 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.

Car insurance tools and calculators

Author image Julie Daniels

What our expert says...

What’s happening to car insurance premiums in the UK?

“As inflation hit the UK economy hard, car insurance premiums rose sharply in 2022 and through 2023. According to our data, comprehensive car insurance cost £570 in September 2022. Fast forward to the end of 2023 and it had almost doubled to £950.

However, 2024 has brought better news for drivers, with premiums for comprehensive cover costing £776 in September.

As always, for the cheapest price, we’d always recommend comparing car insurance quotes with Compare the Market.”

- Julie Daniels, Motor insurance expert

How can I get cheaper car insurance?

To help you save money on your car insurance policy, you could:

1. Increase your voluntary excess

Agreeing to pay more towards a potential claim could mean cheaper car insurance. But be sure you can afford to pay your agreed voluntary excess on top of the compulsory excess if you need to claim.

2. Pay yearly instead of monthly

Paying for your car insurance up front is cheaper as you’re typically charged interest on monthly premiums.

3. Consider a black box policy

If you can prove you’re a safe driver, you could get cheaper insurance at renewal time.

4. Build your no-claims discount

Each year you don’t make a claim, your no-claims discount grows.

5. Compare quotes online

One of the quickest and easiest ways to get cheaper car insurance is to shop around and compare quotes.

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

Find more ways to save on your car insurance.

Additional car insurance options

There are more specific car insurance options you may want to consider. These come with different levels of cover – for example, you can get comprehensive telematics insurance.

Business use cover

If you use your car for work beyond commuting, you’ll need cover that includes business use.

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.

Multiple cars

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

Unfortunately, Compare the Market doesn’t yet offer a comparison service for multi-car insurance.

Telematics insurance 

Younger drivers in particular could 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.

Driving abroad

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

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Optional upgrades and add-ons

Optional extras offer additional cover, but you’ll have to pay to add them to your policy. Think carefully about the cover you want so you don’t 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

Motor legal protection can cover legal expenses up to an agreed limit that result from a car accident that wasn’t your fault.

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. You can 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.

Excess protection

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

GAP insurance

GAP insurance can cover the difference between what you paid for your car and its current market value if it’s written off or stolen.

You can’t get a GAP insurance quote with Compare the Market. You can find specialist insurance providers who offer GAP insurance.

Make sure you understand your add-ons

All these add-ons will come with restrictions and exclusions. Check your policy carefully to make sure you understand what’s covered and that you have the cover you need.

How much does car insurance cost?

The price of 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 takes into account 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:

Policy type Price per year Price per month (does not include any interest charges for paying monthly)
Comprehensive[4] £776 £64.62
Third-party, fire and theft[5] £1,359 £113.23
Third-party only[6] £1,861 £155.06
Over 50s[7] £430 £35.83
Over 60s[7] £406 £33.83
Over 70s[7] £452 £37.67
Learner drivers
(17-24 years old)[7]
£745 £62.08
Young drivers
(17-24 years old)[7]
£1,848 £154

 

As you can see from the figures, age, driving experience and level of cover can have a big impact on the insurance price for a car.

The type of car you drive can also influence the cost of your premium. If you’re after a low car insurance deal, choosing a car in a lower insurance group when you replace your vehicle might help you get a cheaper quote.

Learn more about how your car insurance premium is calculated.

[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 2024. Monthly cost is based on the annual lump-sum payment, excluding any interest charged on monthly instalments.

Why has the cost of car insurance gone up?

The cost of car insurance has risen rapidly for several reasons, including inflation and record-high repair costs.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), in the last quarter of 2023, vehicle repair costs reached a record £1.6 billion. That’s an increase of 32% on the same quarter in 2022.

This is partly due to the growing complexity of modern cars, especially electric cars that need specialist expertise to repair.

Electric vehicles are approximately 25% more expensive to repair than their petrol equivalents and take 14% longer to fix.

Plus, insurance providers have paid out more in claims: £2.54 billion in the third quarter of 2023, up 21% on the same quarter in 2022.

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.

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

Based on 93,685 reviews, customers who bought car insurance rated our comparison service 4.6 out of 5.

Quick, easy and found a good, cheap car insurance
Josephine • 20/07/2024
Good choice of insurers and gives prices for extras
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Obtained good insurance for car which was better than other comparison sites
Colin • 18/06/2024
Easy to use this site
Sandra • 08/06/2024

Are there any specialist vehicle insurance policies tailored to me?

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.

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 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. So, 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. 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.

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.

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, but not the details of your insurance.

How does telematics work?

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

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 on top of 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.

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.

How do I get proof of my no-claims bonus?

You can find proof of your no-claims bonus:

  • On your renewal letter or online account if you have one
  • On your cancellation notice if you’re switching providers
  • By contacting your provider and asking them to send you a letter as proof.

How can I get the maximum no-claims discount?

The best way to get the maximum NCD is by not making a claim over the years. Many providers give you a maximum discount when you reach a set number of claim-free years.

The maximum varies among providers, so check the number of years and discount levels before you buy a car insurance policy.

Find out more about how a no-claims discount works.

Frequently asked questions

Does your job title affect your car insurance?

Yes, your job title can affect the cost of your car insurance. If your job means you spend more time on the road, there’s more risk of you being involved in an accident. A courier, for example, may be considered a higher risk than an office administrator.

Jobs that tend to attract younger workers could also result in a higher premium. This is because statistically young drivers are more at risk of having an accident.

Can I insure two cars at the same time?

Yes, you can insure two cars at the same time. You can take out two separate policies. For example, if you have a classic car as well as your regular car, you might want a specialist policy to cover it.

Or you could take out multi-car insurance. This lets you insure two or more vehicles under one policy. It’s worth considering if you’re a family with more than one car as insurance providers typically offer a discount on each car added to the policy.

Unfortunately, Compare the Market doesn’t yet offer a comparison service for multi-car insurance.

Is it better to pay for 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 be more manageable for your budget, but you’re likely to pay more as you’re usually 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 car insurance quotes. 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 similar to yours in terms of age, condition and mileage.

When you compare car insurance quotes with us, we’ll give you a valuation figure based on the car’s current market value, where possible. You can change this if it doesn’t look right.

How long is my quote valid for?

Some insurance quotes last as long as 60 days, but some can change at any point. Check your quote to see how long it’s valid for.

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 a cancellation fee 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. Contact your insurance provider directly.
  2. Get a crime reference number from the police if your car has been stolen or vandalised.
  3. Gather the information you need to give to your insurance provider, including details of the other driver(s) and any witnesses.

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 why your insurance claim might be rejected. It could 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 – for example, not telling them about something they should know.

If your claim is turned down and you don’t think it’s justified, you can 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 it 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.

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.

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

You don’t need insurance if your car is off the road as long as you officially declare a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification). However, this means your car won’t be covered if it’s damaged while it’s parked up.

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

What are the rules on car insurance prices and how do they affect my premium?

In January 2022, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) implemented new rules to remove the excessive price gap between new and existing policyholders. The changes mean that insurance providers are now 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 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’s still a good idea to shop around as prices among providers can vary widely.

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

You may or may not be covered to drive someone else’s car with a comprehensive policy. You’ll need to check the policy details to be sure.

If your policy doesn’t include this cover, 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, such as adding a named driver, you may have to pay an admin fee. And you’ll 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 via your online account.

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.

Based on their own claims experience, some insurance providers may assume that taking an advanced driving course may make you less likely to be involved in an accident. This will help keep down the cost of your car insurance in the longer term.

Page last reviewed on 11 OCTOBER 2024
by Julie Daniels