How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes
Compare car insurance quotes on cover, excess, exclusions and add-ons rather than price alone, and learn which details change what you are offered.
Car insurance quotes can look similar at first glance and turn out to be very different once you read the details. One policy might be cheaper because it carries a higher excess, leaves out a courtesy car or limits who can drive. Another might include extras you would never use. Comparing well means lining up the same cover side by side and understanding what each part is worth to you.
Know the basic levels of cover
The names differ between countries, but most car insurance falls into a few broad levels:
- Minimum legal cover, often called liability or third party, which covers damage or injury you cause to others but not your own car.
- Middle-tier cover, which typically adds protection against events such as fire and theft.
- Comprehensive or full cover, which also covers damage to your own vehicle, including in accidents that are your fault.
Check the legal minimum where you live, and think about whether it is enough for you. Consider the value of your car and whether you could afford to repair or replace it yourself.
Gather the right information first
Insurers ask detailed questions, and inaccurate answers can invalidate a policy. Have these ready:
- Vehicle details, including make, model, year, engine size and any modifications
- Where the car is kept overnight
- Estimated annual mileage
- How the car is used: social only, commuting or business
- All drivers who will use the car, with their licence details and history
- Previous claims and convictions for each driver, for the period insurers ask about
- Your current policy documents, for comparison
Answer every question honestly. Small changes, such as describing usage as social when you commute, can lead to a claim being refused.
Compare like with like
When you have several quotes, check each one against the same points.
- Level of cover. Make sure all quotes are for the same type.
- Excess. This is the amount you pay towards any claim. Look at both compulsory and voluntary excess, and any separate excess for young drivers or specific claims such as windscreens.
- Named drivers. Who is covered to drive, and are there restrictions on age or experience?
- Driving other cars. Some policies include limited cover for driving vehicles you do not own; many do not.
- Courtesy car. Is one provided while yours is being repaired, and what size and for how long?
- Windscreen and glass cover. Is it included, and what is the excess?
- Personal belongings. What limit applies to items in the car?
- Breakdown cover. Is it included or separate?
- Legal expenses. Cover for pursuing claims against other drivers.
- Cover abroad. If you drive in other countries, check the level and duration.
- No-claims protection. How claims affect your discount, and whether protection is offered.
Read the exclusions
Every policy has situations it will not cover. Common exclusions include:
- Driving under the influence
- Leaving keys in or near an unlocked car
- Using the car for purposes not declared, such as deliveries or ride-sharing
- Undeclared modifications
- Drivers not named on the policy
- Wear and tear, mechanical failure or tyre damage from road conditions
Knowing these in advance helps you avoid surprises at claim time.
Factors that change your quote
Many things influence what you are offered. Some are within your control:
- Excess level. A higher voluntary excess can lower the premium, but only choose an amount you could genuinely afford to pay.
- Mileage. Estimate accurately; overestimating can cost more, underestimating can cause problems.
- Security. Approved alarms, immobilisers or trackers may affect the quote.
- Parking. A garage or driveway may be viewed differently from on-street parking.
- Payment method. Paying annually is sometimes cheaper than monthly, since monthly payments can include interest or fees. Check the total amount payable.
- Timing. Shopping around before your renewal date, rather than on the day, may give you more options.
Questions to ask before buying
- How do I make a claim, and is the claims line available at all hours?
- Do you use approved repairers, and can I choose my own?
- Will repairs use new manufacturer parts or alternatives?
- How is my car valued if it is written off?
- Are there fees for changing the policy or cancelling early?
- Is there any discount for multiple cars or combined policies?
Common mistakes
Choosing on price alone. The cheapest quote often has the highest excess or the fewest extras.
Automatically renewing. Renewal prices for existing customers are not always the best available, so compare each year.
Adding unnecessary extras. Check whether you already have breakdown or legal cover elsewhere.
Fronting. Listing a more experienced driver as the main driver when someone else drives the car most of the time is misrepresentation and can void the policy.
Not reading the documents. Look through the policy wording when it arrives and correct any errors straight away.
A simple comparison routine
Each year, about three to four weeks before renewal, gather your details, get several quotes for the same level of cover, line them up across the points above, read the exclusions for your top choices, and then decide. It takes an hour or two, and it means you know exactly what you are paying for.