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What do you need to get a car insurance quote?
To get a car insurance quote, you’ll need to provide details including:
- Your car registration number, or if you don’t know it, the make, model and how old it is.
- How you use your car, your annual mileage, where you keep it, and a rough idea of how much it’s worth.
- Personal details about you, including your name, address, age, job, how long you’ve held a driving licence, no claims discount, and any motoring accidents or convictions. Similar will be needed for any additional drivers you wish to add to the policy.
- The type of insurance cover you’re looking for, including when you want the policy to start and the excess you’re willing to pay.
If you drive in the UK, the law says you must have car insurance. As a minimum, you need third party insurance, which protects you financially if you’re involved in an accident that damages someone else’s car or property, or causes an injury. However, you can also buy more extensive, comprehensive car insurance, which can also help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your car if it’s damaged or lost due to an accident, fire or theft.
If you’re here to compare car insurance, you could save up to £523* with the best car insurance quotes. Or, if you want to learn more about how car insurance works, and the types of cover available, read on.
* 51% of consumers could save £523.47 on their Car Insurance. The saving was calculated by comparing the cheapest price found with the average of the next six cheapest prices quoted by insurance providers on Seopa Ltd’s insurance comparison website. This is based on representative cost savings from August 2024 data. The savings you could achieve are dependent on your individual circumstances and how you selected your current insurance supplier.
Table of Contents
What type of car insurance do I need?
The best type of car insurance for you depends on the level of protection you’re looking for.
Comprehensive car insurance
Comprehensive car insurance is the most extensive cover you can get. Exact protection can differ between policies, but comprehensive insurance generally provides cover if your car is damaged or lost due to an accident, fire, vandalism or it is stolen.
Even if the accident was your fault, the policy should cover the cost of repairing or replacing your car, your medical costs if you are injured, and those of any passengers – though not if you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Comprehensive car insurance also covers damage that may have been caused to someone else’s car or property, and their medical costs if they are hurt. Legal expenses may also be covered, but it’s vital to check the details of any policy carefully.
This type of cover may also be referred to as fully comprehensive car insurance, or ‘fully comp’ for short. While it would seem to make sense for comprehensive car insurance to cost the most out of the different types of cover, it isn’t always the most expensive option.
» MORE: Fully comprehensive car insurance explained
Third party insurance
Third party insurance is the most basic level of car insurance and the minimum level of cover you must have to drive legally in the UK. With third party cover, your insurer will cover the costs you might have to pay if someone else’s car or property is damaged in an accident you’re involved in. It can also cover compensation for injuries sustained by other people, including your passengers.
Crucially, third party car insurance does not cover damage to your own car, medical bills resulting from your own injuries, or the theft of your vehicle. You would need to pay for these yourself.
That said, third party insurance may be useful if the value of your car is low enough that it would probably cost more to repair it following an accident than what it’s actually worth. This is particularly the case given the need to pay an excess if you make a claim.
However, despite providing less protection than other types of policy, you can sometimes find third party insurance works out more expensive than fully comprehensive cover.
» MORE: Third party car insurance explained
Third party, fire and theft insurance
This level of car insurance provides the same level of cover as third party cover, but with added protection if your car is damaged by fire or stolen. This means you won’t be covered for damage to your car in an accident, or your injuries. It’s also possible it could prove more expensive than comprehensive cover.
Can I drive someone else’s car?
It’s best to assume you’re not insured to drive someone else’s car unless you’re a named driver on their car insurance policy. If your policy allows you to drive another person’s car, you may only have third party cover and, only in certain circumstances. Always check first.
How much does car insurance cost?
The average cost of comprehensive car insurance is £612 a year, according to Association of British Insurers’ data for the third quarter of 2024.
However, the cost of car insurance varies from person to person. How much car insurance costs you will be based on your circumstances, the type of cover you want, and how likely an insurer thinks you are to make a claim. Certain factors will make you seem more of a risk, based on what the insurer considers makes a driver more or less likely to make a claim.
» MORE: Why is car insurance so expensive?
Has the price of car insurance gone up?
The cost of car insurance fell by 2% in the third quarter of 2024, which followed a similar drop of 2% in the second quarter of the year. Despite the recent falls, the average car insurance premium remains 9%, or £50, higher than in the third quarter of 2024, according to the Association of British Insurers.
What affects the cost of car insurance?
Some of the main factors insurers consider when calculating the cost of your car insurance premium usually includes:
Your age
Young drivers aged 17 to 24 tend to pay higher premiums, as they are statistically more likely to have an accident. If you don’t make any claims and drive sensibly, avoiding speeding fines, you may see the cost of car insurance get gradually cheaper as you become a more experienced driver. However, as you approach your 70s or 80s, you may find premiums start to rise again, due to insurers having risk concerns over elderly drivers.
Where you live
The cost of car insurance can differ depending on where you live in the country and your postcode. The number of accidents recorded locally, whether you live in a built-up or rural area, the risk of flooding, and crime levels in your neighbourhood may all come into play.
Your job
Some types of work can make you a greater insurance risk than others, including jobs that involve a lot of driving or which could be associated with high stress. This can vary depending on the provider, though.
Your health
Insurers will consider certain medical conditions that are likely to affect your ability as a driver. These may include diabetes, epilepsy, serious eye conditions, heart problems, neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, physical conditions, sleep apnea, and undergoing surgery. Always be open with your insurer about your health to make sure your car insurance is valid. There are also certain conditions that you must inform the DVLA about.
Your claims history
If you haven’t made any recent claims you could build up your no-claims discount (NCD). As this suggests you’re less risky to insure, you’ll get money off your premium.
Your driving history
If you have recent speeding offences or other convictions, they will form part of the insurer’s calculations and may mean you pay more.
Your car
How much your car is worth and its age, along with the engine size and safety features, will all be a consideration when setting the price of car insurance.
Security
Whether you keep your car in a garage, on a driveway or on the street, and whether you have alarms or immobilisers, can affect what you pay.
Car use
Insurers want to know how often and far you drive – your annual mileage – as clocking up fewer miles can reduce your risk and lower your premium. Using your car for business purposes, driving long distances for work or delivering goods is likely to cost more than if you only use your car for social, domestic and pleasure (SDP) activities.
Additional drivers
The age, job, health, driving, claims and convictions of anyone you include on your policy as an additional named driver will be considered. Adding a newly qualified driver may increase your premiums, but listing an experienced additional driver can sometimes reduce them.
Your excess
If you make a valid claim on your car insurance, you may also need to pay something towards the claim yourself. You’ll agree how much this ‘excess’ will be with an insurer when you apply. Typically, there’s a compulsory excess you always have to pay, and a voluntary excess which is an amount you get to decide. The more excess you’re willing to pay, the cheaper car insurance tends to get.
How to get cheaper car insurance
To help save money on your car insurance, you may want to:
- Compare car insurance providers: Don’t auto renew with your current insurer when your cover is about to end. Shopping around can help you find the lowest car insurance premiums.
- Pay annually: Paying your full premium outright and upfront instead of smaller regular payments each month usually costs you less overall.
- Look after your NCD: If you’ve gone several years without making a claim, and your NCD is making a big difference to your premium, it may pay to think carefully if you’re considering a fairly minor claim.
- Step up your security: Installing a security alarm or immobiliser, using a steering wheel lock, or parking in a garage shows an insurer you’re taking steps to reduce the risk of theft.
- Drive less: Cutting back the amount of miles you drive may reduce your premiums.
- Change your car: Less powerful and expensive cars tend to cost less to insure.
- Consider ‘black box’ insurance: Sometimes called telematics insurance, GPS technology tracks how you use the car and may lead to a reduced renewal premium for driving safely. This may be especially useful if you’ve recently passed your test.
- Consider multi-car policies: Some insurers offer discounts if you opt for a policy that covers multiple cars in your household. But always check if a separate policy for each works out cheaper.
- Increase your voluntary excess: The higher your voluntary excess, the lower your premium usually is. But make sure you can afford to pay it, on top of the compulsory excess, if you make a claim.
- Add an experienced driver: If you’re a relatively new driver, adding someone with greater driving experience to your policy, such as a parent, may lower your premiums.
- Multi-product discounts: Some insurers offer discounts for taking out other policies with them, such as home insurance. But check if separate cover with different providers works out cheaper.
» MORE: Tips on how to get the cheapest car insurance possible
Who generally has the cheapest car insurance in the UK?
No single provider of car insurance offers the cheapest cover for everyone. That’s why it’s essential to compare car insurance quotes from different insurers.
Optional car insurance add-ons
Optional upgrades or add-ons allow you to enhance your car insurance cover, but will increase the cost of your premium. You may find some are included as standard in your policy, so check before you buy. If they’re not, and you feel it’s worth paying extra, common upgrades and extras include:
Motor legal protection
Sometimes called legal expenses cover. It can help with legal costs not covered by a standard policy if you’re in an accident that’s not your fault.
Personal accident cover
This pays compensation to you or your loved ones if you’re injured or die in a car accident.
Breakdown cover
Depending on the level of cover, this could include emergency assistance if your car needs repair at the roadside or at home after breaking down.
Courtesy car cover
You get use of a vehicle to tide you over while yours is being fixed.
No-claims discount protection
This lets you claim on your policy without losing your no-claims discount.
Misfuelling cover
If you put the wrong fuel in the tank, this can cover draining and flushing, and any damage.
Windscreen cover
If your windscreen is chipped, cracked or worse, this cover can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
Personal belongings cover
This provides cover for your possessions if they are stolen or damaged while in your vehicle.
Excess cover
If you make a claim, this protection allows you to claim back the excess you have to pay yourself.
Key cover
This covers the cost of replacing your car keys if they’re stolen or lost.
» MORE: Compare breakdown cover
Other types of car insurance
Besides standard car insurance, several other options may better suit your requirements.
Business car insurance: Using your car to commute is usually covered by standard policies, but if your job involves using a vehicle for business purposes, you may need business car insurance.
Van insurance: The exact van insurance you need will depend on exactly how you use the van, for business, everyday use, or both.
Classic car insurance: If you have an older, vintage car, you may need specialist classic car insurance to make sure you’re covered.
Multi-car insurance: If you have more than one car to insure, it may be cheaper and simpler to take out one multi-car policy rather than separate policies for each.
Short-term or temporary cover: If you only need cover for a short while, perhaps to test drive or collect a new car, or if you’re borrowing a vehicle, temporary car insurance allows you to pay for the time you need.
Black box or telematics cover: You could save money by proving you’re a safe driver, if you’re willing to install a small device in your car to track your speed, braking, the distance you travel and when.
Car Insurance FAQs
If you own or drive a car you are legally required to have motor insurance. The minimum level is third party, which covers you if you injure other people or damage their vehicle or property when you’re driving it. Even if you have a car you don’t drive which is kept off the road, it needs to be insured, unless you formally register a ‘Statutory Off Road Notification’ (SORN) with the DVLA.
If you drive without car insurance, you could get a fine and points on your licence and potentially face court action, criminal prosecution and a ban from driving. The same applies if you’re the car’s registered keeper and someone else is driving it.
Car insurance does tend to be more expensive if you’ve only just passed your driving test or are a relatively new driver. This is because insurers take inexperience as a driver into account when calculating premiums.
The cheapest car insurance group is group 1. All cars in the UK are allocated an insurance group, ranging from one to 50, which mainly depends on the cost of the car. The price of car insurance tends to work on a sliding scale, with group one cars typically having the cheapest premiums, rising all the way up to group 50 cars, which are the most expensive.
Whether you need business car insurance depends on how you use your vehicle for work. For example, if you work as a courier, you will need courier insurance to drive your car, van, moped, or motorbike. Specialist car insurance is also needed if you run a taxi business, or drive to various places as part of your job. However, if you simply use your car to commute to work, then standard car insurance should cover this – but be sure to make this clear when you get a quote.
The simplest way to check if your car is insured is by using the Motor Insurance Database. The check is free and all you need is your registration number.
You’ll need to check your car insurance policy to see if it covers you while driving abroad and at what level. Cover may differ depending on the country you’re visiting. For example, a fully comprehensive policy may only offer third party cover while you’re overseas. If the cover isn’t sufficient for your needs, you may be able to upgrade your policy.
Yes, you can insure a car you don’t own. You can insure a car for someone else, such as a child or partner, and you can also insure yourself before you buy it. However, you will be required to tell the insurer that you are not the owner or registered keeper, and some may refuse to insure you in this instance. The most common scenario is insuring a car you own.
You might be covered to drive any car if you have comprehensive car insurance. However, this certainly won’t be the case with every fully comp policy, and if you are covered, it may be third-party cover only. Check your policy documents for Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover before you drive a different car than the one listed on your policy. Contact your insurer to clarify with them, and take out additional, temporary cover if necessary.
According to the Association of British Insurers, a no-claims discount of one year could save you up to 30% on a typical car insurance premium, and as much as 60% if you’ve made no claims after five years. However, the savings will vary between insurers.
Paying car insurance annually, upfront in one go, is usually cheaper than paying in monthly instalments. This is because you’re likely to be charged interest if you pay monthly.
Your line of work and your job title can affect the cost of your car insurance, as insurers take what you do for a living into account when working out your premium. If you have a job that an insurer thinks increases the likelihood you’ll need to make a claim, the cost of your car insurance will be higher.
An insurer may carry out a soft search of your credit score to check certain details if you’re getting a car insurance quote, but this won’t affect, or remain, on your credit report. A hard credit search, which could have an effect on your score and will be visible, could be carried out if you decide to take a policy out, and wish to pay monthly.
» MORE: What is a credit check?
To estimate your annual mileage you could work out roughly how many miles you drive each week and multiply this to get an estimate for the year. Alternatively, you could check your MOT certificate which will show how many miles your car did the previous year. Underestimating by a big margin could invalidate your policy, while overestimating can add unnecessary cost to your premium, so be as accurate as you can.
To estimate the value of your car, you could look at similar cars for sale online or use a free valuation tool, which are also available online. You’ll need to know your mileage and may be asked to give a truthful appraisal of its condition to get an accurate valuation.
Voluntary excess is an amount you decide to pay towards a claim you make on your policy. It is paid on top of the compulsory excess that is set by an insurer, but you get to choose the level of voluntary excess you’re willing to pay when setting up your policy. Committing to paying a higher excess can reduce the cost of car insurance.
Some insurers may guarantee your car insurance quote for a set period of time, such as 30 days, while others may use real-time pricing, which means the premium you’ve been quoted could change if you don’t buy it at that time. If your quote changes between times, it could be due to the insurer becoming aware of new information affecting your risk as a driver.
To make a claim on your car insurance you’ll need to contact your insurer. Many insurers have dedicated claims helplines ready to take calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Be prepared to share details of what has happened and the damage caused. You should always make your insurer aware of an accident, even if you don’t wish to make a claim.
If you think you won’t make, or have already missed, a monthly payment on your car insurance, contact your insurer. Missing a payment could cancel your cover or mean your insurer won’t pay out if you make a claim. You could also be charged a penalty fee, and your credit score could be affected.
You can cancel a car insurance policy at any time. If you want to cancel a policy you’ve just bought, you’ll automatically have a 14-day cooling off period in which to do so. As long as you haven’t made a claim, you’ll get a refund, usually minus an amount covering the period you’ve been covered. There may also be an admin fee to pay.
If your cover has been in place longer, you can still cancel, but there may be a bigger cancellation fee. Again, you won’t get the money back for the premiums covering the time you’ve been insured. However, if you paid an annual premium upfront, and haven’t made a claim, you may get a refund covering the period of time the cover won’t now be in place.
You could get a refund if you’ve paid your premium upfront and decide to cancel your car insurance part way through the cover, without having made a claim. So if you cancel after nine months, you could be refunded for the three months of premiums that are left to run. Note that there may be cancellation fees to pay.
You should also get a refund of any premiums paid, perhaps minus an amount for the days of cover you’ve had, if you cancel within the first 14 days of your policy.
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