How to switch car insurance

Should I switch or renew car insurance? It all depends. In some situations, you might want to at least compare other quotes, such as if your circumstance have changed, your premiums have risen or you have a new car. This guide explains when it might be better to renew or switch car insurance, and what to look for.

How do I switch car insurance companies?

It’s just a simple matter of cancelling one policy and taking out another. But to make it more seamless, it’s helpful to consider a few tips when you do.

• Know whether you want to switch or renew. You naturally want to know that switching is worth your while before cancelling your current cover. This means having a suitable replacement ready to go.
• Know when to switch. Timing matters when switching insurers. The best time to do it is when your current policy is coming up for renewal, as this will get you the most value out of your old policy and won’t incur cancellation fees. Make sure your new policy starts as soon as possible after the old one runs out to avoid going without insurance. Simply cancel your policy rather than renew it when the time comes, and take out a new a new policy somewhere else instead.
• Have a new policy ready. Don’t cancel your insurance until you have found a replacement. Compare different car insurance policies online to review other insurers and levels of cover, and make sure you can get cover. Some insurers might decline especially risky drivers.
• Know how to cancel. You must notify your current insurer, usually in writing, that you will not be renewing your old policy. Read your policy details or contact the insurance company to familiarise yourself with the cancellation process and know how long it takes.

With these three things in place, you can switch policies while minimising the amount of time you spend without insurance. After this, actually making the switch is easy.

Step-by-step guide to changing car insurance companies

• Decide that you want to look at other options. Whether you feel like your premiums are too high, your cover is insufficient or that your car insurance just isn’t right for any other reason, deciding to look around is the first step.
• Compare car insurance online to find a new policy that’s right for you.
• Examine your current policy and the new policy side by side and work out how much you can save. If you come up empty-handed after doing this a lot, it might be preferable to simply renew your car insurance instead.
• Decide when you want to make the switch. You can time it to take advantage of any discounts from your new company and to minimise any fees from your old one. Most importantly, you want to make sure you aren’t left without any car insurance for too long.
• If you want to switch car insurance mid-policy, check for cancellation fees and similar conditions in your old policy.
• Cancel your old policy and sign up for the new one. Insurance policies are usually cancelled from when the company receives notice in writing, while a new policy will take effect on a start date designated by the insurer. Ideally, both will be on the same day.

Why would I switch insurers?

There are many reasons why you may want to switch insurers.

• Are you unhappy with the current level of service? Common issues with service include too little or too much communication, problems when making a claim, unhelpful customer support or difficulties with offshore call centres.
• Do you want better value for money? It’s important to reassess your needs each year when you renew your policy. Your insurance may have been great value for money when you first got it, but premiums and circumstances change and this may no longer be the case.
• Have your circumstances changed? Maybe you have a new young driver raising your premiums, you’ve moved to an area with a higher or lower crime rate or you have a different source of income now. A lot of things will affect insurance costs and needs, so changing car insurance policies is a good way to adapt and find better prices.
• Are you eligible for discounts? You may now be eligible for discounts that your current insurer doesn’t offer. These could be multi-policy discounts for getting multiple products from the same insurer, freebies that come with a new policy, periodic bargains or anything else that looks tempting.
• Is your current policy the cheapest on the market? It may be as simple as that. New brands enter the market all the time, and offering low prices is a great way for them to steal customers away. Letting yourself get stolen by a competitor might lead you to a great deal.

Even if you feel like none of the above applies to you, it’s still worth comparing car insurance providers. There are a lot of companies in the marketplace, but circumstances change and you’re probably only ever with one car insurance provider at a time. It’s reasonable to assume that there’s almost always a more competitive deal somewhere, and that you just need to find it.

Is your current insurer reliable?

What makes a car insurance company reliable? The best indicator is if it’s there for you when you need it. A reliable insurer:

• Pays claims promptly rather than immediately looking for loopholes to avoid paying
• States all terms and conditions clearly, without attempting to hide them in the fine print or legal jargon
• Is accessible 24/7 and is located in the UK
• Does not penalise its customers for claims when they were found not at fault

Finding an insurer with all these qualities can mean paying a little more for coverage, but paying more is sometimes the right choice.

Whether you want the best value third party car insurance in the UK, or a reliable insurer that will provide a comprehensive package with great extras, it’s worth looking for discounts.

Tips for changing car insurance

• Is the switch going to be worth your while? Make sure it’s worth the effort by looking at how much you could save versus the administration and cancellation fees you may be charged. If you’re only saving a couple of pounds on your premium, you might be better off waiting until renewal time before you switch car insurance.
• When is your new policy’s activation date? Check the activation date on your new policy and make sure it is before your old policy expires.
• When should I cancel my old policy? Cancel your old policy at the end of a payment cycle, so that you don’t have to worry about chasing any refund owed to you or have any cancellation fees.
• Should I change insurer every year? Unless it’s getting you a good discount, loyalty is overrated. If you can find a better deal with another insurer, let your current insurer know and see if it is willing to match it. If not, make the change. Other than the hassle and loss of loyalty discounts there’s no reason not to switch car insurance every year if there’s a preferable option out there.
• Is the cheapest policy right for me? Don’t base your reason for switching on price alone. Make sure any new policy you look at offers the right cover as well. A cheaper policy might be problematic if it’s not as good as your old one.
• Should I review my cover each year? Yes. Make it a habit to review your car insurance every year before renewal time. You will often see premium increases at this time, as insurers usually count on customers renewing their policy automatically each year without comparing other options.
• I have car insurance already, will it cover my new car? Unfortunately you will typically need to take out a new policy for a new vehicle. However, if you wish to take out cover with your current insurer rather than switching to a new provider, you may be able to secure a multi-vehicle discount. If you have more than one car, you might want to switch rather than renew for all of them at once.
• Should I switch policies after having an accident? Be careful about switching car insurance policies after an accident. Your claims history is available to your new insurer, meaning you won’t necessarily get a clean slate by switching car insurance. But having an accident certainly qualifies as a changed circumstance, so you might want to take the opportunity to shop around anyway.

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Can switching policies save me money?

Being able to go online and compare car insurers means that you can save a lot of money by playing the field. If your current insurer won’t offer you a better deal or match a quote you’ve found, then tell it you’re thinking about switching car insurance policies. If that doesn’t prompt it to offer you a better deal, then it might be time to go. Other ways you can save money include:

• Reviewing your current level of cover. Reviewing your current level of cover is a great way to save some cash. If you have kids under 25 or you yourself were recently under 25 and have not yet updated your policy, you could be overspending on your insurance. Your car itself may be overvalued on your current policy (ie the replacement value of your car may have decreased), so making sure your details are up-to-date will help you avoid paying too much.
• Knowing the different cover options. When you’re switching car insurance policies, it’s important to understand the options available to you. Choosing a higher excess, for example, will lower your premiums. Being protected against reasonable hazards and making constructive claims for damage is generally how you get the most out of your car insurance policy, rather than always going for the cheapest option.
• Do you review your cover every year? If the answer is no then you could be wasting hundreds of pounds each year. Always check how your policy compares to others in the market. If you want to save money, there’s no reason to renew car insurance without comparing other options first.

What isn’t my insurer telling me?

Knowing how the industry operates can help you in your search for a better deal. The following are some things that your insurer won’t necessarily tell you, but that are useful to know.

• They know if you lie on an application. Insurers share information among themselves, so don’t lie about your claims history or driving record.
• Your car value is not based on its actual value. Insurers calculate the replacement value of your car based on the cheapest quote they can find, so you might find different valuations from different insurers. If you are unhappy with your insurer’s valuation, get quotes from three different dealers yourself and submit them to your insurer.
• Your car’s covered but its contents aren’t always covered. Personal items such as stereo systems aren’t usually covered by your car insurance. If stolen or damaged, try claiming them on your house and contents insurance instead.
• Loyalty isn’t always rewarded. To attract new customers, many insurers offer them better deals than their current customers are getting. To find out if that’s the case with your insurer, apply for a quote online as a new customer and compare it with what you are currently paying.
• Your premiums could go up for no reason. Recent rule changes in the UK now mean that come the renewal stage, insurers have to tell customers what their premium was the previous year alongside the new premium. Make sure you look at this carefully and compare what you were paying then with what is being asked as of you now. Once you do, you might be surprised to find that your car insurance premiums have been steadily increasing without you paying any real attention to it.

How do I cancel my current car insurance policy?

Cancelling your current policy should only be done once your new policy is ready to go to avoid having gaps in your cover.

• Notify your insurer in writing.
• Pay any cancellation or administration fees.
• Make sure you tell your insurer you are cancelling your policy, because if you just fail to renew it without contacting your insurer, you might be considered in default of payment and could end up with a black mark on your credit record.

How do I switch car insurance mid-policy?

Some circumstances may force you to change insurers before your current policy expires. You could be changing jobs, changing locations, changing drivers, changing cars or you may have just found the deal of a lifetime and you can’t afford to wait.

Whatever the reason, if you are changing car insurance mid-policy some insurers will charge a cancellation fee, many may refund varying amounts of the unused premiums. These refunds take time, so make sure you are not waiting on your refund to pay the premium on your new policy.

Steps to changing car insurance mid-policy

If you’re switching car insurance before your policy is over, follow these steps:

1. Contact your current insurance provider or go through your policy details to find out what’s involved in cancelling your insurance mid-policy. You need to know how to cancel, when the cancellation takes effect, what the associated fees and costs are and whether you will get any refunds.
2. Decide on your new policy. You should have a replacement policy that you’re happy with ready to go before cancelling your old one. Compare the savings or additional benefits of the new policy with the cancellation fees of the old one to make sure it’s worthwhile. Refunds usually take time, so don’t plan on paying for the new policy with a refund from your old one.
3. Sign up for the new policy and then cancel the old one. If possible, try to have your new policy take effect as soon as the old one ends, without any gaps between.

Do more people switch or renew car insurance in the UK?

Overall, the vast majority of people in the UK are satisfied with their car insurance, and may be likely to simply renew car insurance year after year. You might be grateful to an insurer for promptly sorting out a claim, and helping you during an otherwise stressful time, but that’s the service you’re paying for.

Despite most people in the UK more likely to renew their car insurance rather than switch, it may well be a costly mistake.

Is it better to renew or switch car insurance policies?

Weigh up the pros and cons before jumping ship. On the plus side, you may get a better deal elsewhere or your current insurer may come back with a better offer. On the downside, you may lose any discounts you currently have or your no-claims bonuses may not be transferrable.

If nothing else, it’s probably worth shopping around to see if you can do better, and to consider trying to work it out with your current insurer before making the switch. It will often be happy to extend discounts if it means keeping customers, particularly ones who have been loyal for many years and not made any claims. Give your insurer an opportunity to match or better any new deal you have found and you may be pleasantly surprised at what’s offered.

How can I negotiate a better deal with my current provider?

If you’re considering switching but haven’t made the decision yet, let your current insurance company compete for your business. You might be able to get a better deal on your current rates by letting your provider know you’re shopping around or found a better rate somewhere else.

Consider the best way to get informed and talk to your current insurer.

• Check your current coverage levels. What coverage limits are listed on your current policy? What other perks do you get like no claims bonus or breakdown cover?
• Decide on any changes. Make sure you have an appropriate excess for your circumstances and any additional cover you want.
• Get quotes from competitors. Compare other providers who offer the level of coverage you need at a better price.
• Call your current provider. You can try contact forms and online chat, but it may be faster to ask about discounted rates over the phone. Armed with competitor quotes, remind your insurer how you’ve been a loyal customer and ask if there’s any way to match the competitor quotes you found.
• Try again with another rep or make the switch. If the first person you talk to can’t help you, you can try calling again in the hope you get someone who is authorised to reduce your premiums. If not, it might be time to cancel.

Bottom line

Switching car insurance isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Follow a few basic steps to make sure it’s the right move for you, then work with your current insurance company to find out its unique fees and switching process. You could save a bundle by switching to a company that works better for you.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I have to change car insurance if I move?

  If you’re moving house, you should contact your insurer as soon as possible. This is because your postcode is taken into account when your premium is calculated – some areas are higher risk than others. When you move house, there’s a chance your premium may rise or fall depending on how ‘risky’ your new address is deemed to be. Parking also makes a difference – if you’ll be parking in a garage rather than on the street, for example, there’s a good chance your premium will come down, and vice versa.

• Will my credit score be affected if I change car insurance?

  Getting a quote for car insurance from a comparison website won’t affect your credit score. However, if you take the next step and apply for insurance, this will show on your credit file and will be visible to providers carrying out a “hard search” to check your credit file. If you pay for the insurance in monthly instalments, this will leave more of a mark as it is considered a form of credit. You’re unlikely to be credit searched in this way if you’re paying for your insurance in one lump sum.

• Do I have to change car insurance if I get a new car?

  Yes. If you’re getting a new car, you’ll need to contact your insurer and make the necessary changes to your insurance. Often, insurers will let you transfer your existing cover to your new ride, but it’s still really important that you tell your insurer as your policy may well be invalidated if you don’t. Future claims may be paid out at a reduced rate, or even rejected outright. There may be an administration charge to be paid for amending the terms of your cover, which you can expect to be about £25 minimum.

• Do I have to stay within the mileage disclosed to my insurer?

  While most insurers will be aware that this figure is a rough estimate, it’s important that you don’t go significantly over it. This could lead to your insurance being invalidated. If you want to get an idea of your mileage, you can look back to old MOT certificates, which will show a record of your mileage. If your driving habits change significantly, for example you get a new job further away, your mileage will obviously be affected too, so you should inform your insurer if this happens.