Compare 4x4 insurance

When it comes to finding the right 4x4 insurance policy, what matters most is how you intend to use your vehicle.

Although traditionally driven almost exclusively by farmers and those living in rural areas, 4x4s have a much broader appeal today. From classic 4x4s from Jeep and Land Rover to family-friendly SUVs from Ford and Toyota, you’re now probably just as likely to see a 4x4 on the school run as you are driving along a rutted countryside lane.

If you’re sticking to paved roads, then a standard car insurance policy could be enough cover for your 4x4. But if you’re planning on taking your 4x4 off-roading or green-laning, then you’ll either need extra cover or a specialist policy.

It's also worth bearing in mind that some 4x4s, for example single cab pickups, may be officially classed as light commercial vehicles (LCVs). It depends on what your 4x4 was designed to do. And if yours is an LCV, you’ll need van insurance rather than car insurance.

As with standard car cover, 4x4 insurance offers three levels of cover to choose from.

Third-party

Third-party only is the legal minimum level of insurance required to drive on UK roads. It can cover the costs of any damage you cause to someone else, their vehicle or their property. You won’t be covered for the cost of any damage done to your own 4x4.

Third-party, fire and theft

Third-party, fire and theft includes everything in third-party insurance, but also offers cover if your 4x4 is stolen or damaged by fire.

Comprehensive cover

The highest level of insurance available. Comprehensive cover includes third-party, fire and theft plus any accidental damage caused to your 4x4. It may also cover injury to you, although not always, so you’d need to check the terms and conditions of your policy.

Yes, four-wheel drives tend to be placed in higher insurance groups for a few key reasons:

Size and weight

Bigger and heavier vehicles tend to cost more to insure because they can cause a lot of damage if they’re involved in an accident.

Repair and replacement costs

Many 4x4s come with high-end parts and gadgets, which can be expensive to repair. And if you have a high-end model, it will be expensive for your insurance provider to replace if it’s written off.

Risk of theft

Your 4x4 may be particularly attractive to car thieves because of the high value of parts which can be stripped and sold on.

How they’re used

Because they’re more likely to be driven off-road and on green lanes, 4x4s present a greater risk of an accident.

Bear in mind that the cheapest 4x4 insurance policy may not always be the right one for you. While price is always a factor, you should also consider what level of cover best meets your needs.

That said, there are things you can do to help find the cheapest 4x4 car insurance that works for you:

• Increase your voluntary excess - The excess is the amount you pay towards any claim you make. Just make sure you could afford both the voluntary and compulsory excess if you had to make a claim.

• Park your 4x4 off the road - This lowers the risk of your 4x4 being stolen or vandalised and can help you get cheap 4x4 insurance.

• Make your 4x4 more secure - Fitting your 4x4 with a Thatcham-approved immobiliser or GPS tracker might get you a discount on your premium.

• Limit your annual mileage - Less time on the road means less risk of you being involved in an accident, and that can help you get cheap 4x4 car insurance.

• Avoid modifications - Modifications can make your 4x4 more attractive to thieves and could make it more expensive to repair or replace.

• Join an owners’ club - Let your provider know if you belong to an approved members’ club, like Land Rover’s, as this may entitle you to a discount.

• Don’t pay for cover you don’t need - If you’re not going to drive your 4x4 off-road, then there’s no point paying extra for off-road cover. Likewise, consider what other extras may be genuinely useful for you.

• Pay for your cover upfront - If you can afford to do so, paying your car insurance annually rather than monthly often works out cheaper. You may be charged interest on monthly instalments.

For more ways to help lower your premium, check out our top tips for cheap car insurance.

The type of insurance you’ll need depends on how you use your 4x4. Modern SUVs used for everyday on-road driving should be fine with standard car insurance. But you might need specialist 4x4 cover for:

Off-road and competitive driving

If you’ll be taking your 4x4 off-road or on green lanes, then you’ll need extra cover to stay legal. Most standard car policies exclude cover for off-road use. If you’re planning on competing in your 4x4, you’ll likely need specialist off-roading insurance.

Towing

Many standard policies only cover towed vehicles for third-party damage. If you want more comprehensive cover, you might want to add on cover. Or consider separate trailer or caravan insurance from a specialist provider.

A classic 4x4

If you’re the proud owner of a vintage Land Rover or Suzuki Jimny, classic 4x4 insurance can offer greater protection. It tends to offer more specialised cover than a standard policy, including discounts for low mileage and membership of classic car enthusiast clubs.

A modified 4x4

If you’ve spent time and money on modifying your 4x4, consider modified 4x4 insurance with an agreed-value policy. This means if it’s written off you can get an appropriate pay out for your vehicle, instead of the average market value.

Business use

You’ll need to be covered for business use if you’re using your 4x4 for work – for example, if you’re a tradesperson transporting tools and equipment to different sites, or you work in agriculture.

As well as making sure you’re covered for how you want to use your 4x4, you can often tailor your policy to include any extra protection you might need. Some policies may include additional cover as standard while for others you may be able to add it on for an additional fee.

Optional cover could include:

Breakdown cover

Breakdown cover typically includes roadside assistance and recovery to a local garage if your 4x4 has a mechanical fault while you’re driving. The cover may also include a courtesy car to use while yours is being repaired.

Legal expenses cover

If a claim is brought against you after an accident, motor legal protection can cover your legal fees. It can also help you cover motoring claims that are not covered by your car insurance.

Personal accident cover

If you’re taking your 4x4 off-road, then your risk of being involved in an accident may be higher. Personal accident cover could pay out if you suffer a serious injury or die because of a car accident.

Driving in Europe

All UK car insurance covers the minimum third-party cover required to drive in Europe. But if you’re taking your 4x4 on a long trip or you want more comprehensive cover, you may want to add additional cover for driving in Europe.

Key cover

Car key cover could pay out for a replacement if your car keys are lost or stolen.

Windscreen cover

Windscreen insurance could cover the cost of repairing or replacing your windscreen if it’s chipped, cracked or smashed. Just make sure it covers you for any damage that occurs off-road if that’s something you have planned.

To get a 4x4 insurance quote, you’ll need to provide us with your:

• Name, age and address

• Registration number or model and age of car

• Class of use: social and domestic, commuting or business use

• Annual mileage

• Job title

• Where your vehicle is kept overnight

• Details of your driving history, including accidents and motoring convictions.