How long is an insurance quote good for?
How long a car insurance quote is valid for depends on the provider. Many insurance providers give you a quote that lasts for 30 days to give you time to make up your mind. But it’s up to the provider.
In some cases, you could find that your quote is real-time only and could change at any subsequent point if you don’t buy right away.
When using our price comparison service, you can save your searches if you need more time to think it over. But if you return later, there’s no guarantee the price you saved will be the same as the price you get on the provider’s site when you purchase.
And once you save a quote, changing any of your details – even tweaking your job description or annual mileage – can affect the price.
Just so you know, once you get a quote from us, some providers may ask extra questions to make sure they can offer cover that suits your needs. Your answers may also impact how much you’ll pay.
All types of car insurance cover are competitive and prices change quickly. If you see a great deal for the right cover at a price to suit you, the only way to guarantee it is to buy there and then.
What happens if I clicked ‘buy’ too soon and I change my mind?
If you’ve been a little too keen and bought a policy that on reflection isn’t quite right for you, don’t worry. By law you have a 14-day cooling off period and you can cancel the policy anytime within this period. Some insurance providers may even give you slightly longer, but you’ll need to check with them.
Your 14 days of ‘cooling off’ start from when the policy begins or when you receive the policy paperwork, whichever is the later date.
You should receive a refund for any premiums you’ve paid upfront, less a proportionate charge for any days the policy was active. You may also be charged a small administration fee.
You can still cancel your car insurance policy after the cooling off period, and in most cases you’ll be refunded for any months you have left on the policy. However, you’ll most likely have to pay a cancellation fee and administration charges, so this may wipe out any refund you’re owed.
How far in advance can I get an insurance quote?
Your current provider will typically send you a reminder and quote around three to five weeks before the renewal date. That’s a good reminder to compare car insurance quotes to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere.
Remember to make sure that any potential new policy suits your needs – for example, that the excess is not too high or that it offers a courtesy car if you couldn’t manage without. Make sure you compare like with like.
Since the start of 2022, car insurance providers can’t charge you more than they would if you went to them as a new customer. But that doesn’t mean your existing provider will still be offering best value, so it’s always worth taking the time to check out your options.
If I’m renewing my car insurance, is there a best time to get a quote?
Getting your car insurance sorted well in advance signals to providers that you’re responsible and well-organised. That can suggest that you’re less of a risk to insure. Acting early will probably be less stressful too, as you’ll have time to find the best deal for you rather than rushing through comparisons.
We can help take care of some of the legwork by setting up automatic quotes for you at renewal time. If you choose to sign up to this free service, we’ll contact you around three weeks before your policy start date with personalised quotes so you can see if you’d be better off switching provider.
But don’t worry – we’ll never automatically renew your policy – and it’s up to you to decide when to switch your provider or not.
Why does my car insurance quote keep changing?
Insurance providers and insurance companies frequently review the price they charge for policies. Some prices may change every day. That’s why it can be hard to determine how long an insurance quote will be good for.
Insurance providers want to spread their risk. So if they’re seeing a lot of claims from particular groups of drivers – such as night workers or couriers – or particular types of car, they might make premiums for these more expensive to put these drivers off.
They might also make prices favourable to drivers they want to encourage. And if you fall into this category, you could find your insurance getting cheaper.
How can I be sure I’m getting the right cover for the right price?
With so many car insurance providers out there, choosing the right level of cover at a price that suits you can be time consuming and frustrating.
Our price comparison service is quick and easy to use. We’ll show you policies based on price, cover level, add-ons and annual or monthly payment options, helping you to choose a policy in a matter of minutes.
Compare with us today and see if you could start saving.
Looking for something else?
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Rebecca Goodman is a freelance financial journalist who specialises in insurance, personal finance and consumer affairs.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
