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Car insurance · Plain-English guide

Car insurance renewal: four checks before you pay

A renewal can look close to last year's price while the cover, excess or payment costs have changed. Compare like with like before you accept it.

Reviewed 8 September 2026 · 3-minute read

Your best next move

Get two or three like-for-like quotes early enough to check them calmly, then ask your insurer to review its renewal.

NEGOTIATE or COMPARE

The simple checklist

Do these in order

  1. Check the cover level and compulsory plus voluntary excess.
  2. Remove add-ons you do not need—but keep anything genuinely valuable to you.
  3. Compare the annual total if monthly payments include interest or fees.
  4. Make sure job title, mileage, address, drivers and car use are accurate.
  5. Set the new policy to start before the old one ends. Never leave an uninsured gap.

Check the official guidance

Official rules on home and motor renewal pricing.

FCA: general insurance pricing rules ↗

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This guide is general information, not personal financial advice. Prices, rules and eligibility can change. Check the latest terms before acting.