Which is the best car insurance in the UK?

With so many car insurance providers on the marketplace, it can be difficult to figure out which one really offers the best cover. In this guide, we’ve shared our top five tips to help you with your car insurance comparison as well as five bonus tips about how to save money on car insurance.

Compare policies and prices

It can be tempting to save some time and just go to one of the big names in car insurance for your cover, but that won’t always get you the best car insurance policy. Using a car insurance comparison site helps you identify which insurers will provide the cover you need, how much the premiums will be and the optional extras you can add to your policy. 

Check customer reviews and ratings

Comparison sites are great for seeing how the features of different car insurance policies stack up against each other, but it’s important to know what it’s really like to be a customer. Customer reviews complement your wider research when you’re looking for the best car insurance. Our Smart Money People community car insurance reviews share who they’d recommend and who to avoid.

Understand the coverage

Every insurer will set their own limits and conditions for car insurance. A policy could look great on the surface, but it might not cover you above a certain amount for repairs or you may have to contribute a higher amount towards the cost of getting back on the road. Check what you’re getting for your money instead of making a decision based only on the premium price.

Look for discounts and add-ons 

The most important aspect of car insurance is the cover you get. But, if you’re finding it hard to decide between insurers offering very similar policies, compare discounts and add-ons to help you choose. Some insurers offer multi-car insurance or other product discounts, the option to add legal cover, a courtesy car or breakdown cover. 

Review the claims process

Hopefully you’ll never need to make a car insurance claim, but if something unexpected happens, knowing what to expect is important. Have a look at the car insurer’s website to understand their claims process and read the feedback from other customers about making a claim.

Now let’s go through some of the ways you can save money on car insurance premiums.

Pay annually instead of monthly

Most car insurers give you the option to pay annually or monthly but if you can afford to pay annually, it’s usually the best option. Monthly premiums tend to be higher because the insurer charges interest.

Choose your car carefully

The car you choose has a big impact on your car insurance premiums. Comparison sites let you check the cost for different car makes and models so you can check how much you’ll be paying before you buy. If you can opt for a car with a smaller engine, you’ll usually benefit from a lower premium.

Limit your annual mileage

Some insurers will charge you less if you reduce your annual mileage. Be honest about how much you expect to drive each year, but if you can cut down on unnecessary miles, you could see your premiums go down.

Consider adding a named driver

Adding another named driver can lower your premiums, particularly if you’re a high-risk or younger driver. If it’s your car and you’ll be driving it the most, you should always be listed as the main driver, but adding someone who has more experience or is lower risk can have a positive impact on your premiums.

Don’t automatically renew  

Each year, your current car insurer will send you an invite to renew your policy with them for another 12 months. But, this can work out to be a lot more expensive than finding a new insurer. Before you accept the renewal offer from your insurer, check if you can get a better deal somewhere else.

Your top ten car insurance companies

Visit our car insurance ranking table and see who our Smart Money People reviewers love and who they think could do better. It may not be a surprise to see Allianz Car Insurance and Admiral Car Insurance in the top ten, but you’ll also find smaller insurance companies who have scored highly. You can also leave a review of your own and tell us about your experience with car insurers.