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Tesco Bank car insurance review
Last updated:
Our review highlights how this supermarket giant fares in the world of car insurance.
Tesco Bank offers two car insurance packages for drivers. Car Insurance is a standard policy for drivers over the age of 21, while Box Insurance is a “black box” insurance policy for drivers aged 17-35.
You say: ★★★★★We say: ★★★★★
In a nutshell:
- Clubcard holders get a discount on their premiums.
- Some customers reported a price hike in premiums on renewal.
Multi-car cover
Windscreen cover
Courtesy car cover
What's in this review?
Who is Tesco Bank?
Tesco is a household name when it comes to your weekly food shop. But not many know that Tesco also offers financial services through Tesco Bank.
Tesco Bank’s products include credit cards, loans, mortgages, savings accounts and several types of insurance, including car, home and pet.
Who underwrites Tesco’s car insurances?
Tesco Bank car insurance is underwritten by a selected range of insurers. The insurer that underwrites your policy will be named on your policy schedule and your certificate of motor insurance.
Tesco Bank Box Insurance is arranged and administered by Insure The Box Limited and is underwritten by Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Company of Europe Ltd.
What are Tesco Bank’s car insurance cover options?
Tesco has two cover options for customers of different ages, which each has a range of unique features.
Tesco car insurance for drivers aged 21 and over
Tesco’s standard insurance is for drivers aged 21 and over. This cover has a range of different features and optional extras you can add on.
Features of this include:
- Defaqto 5-star rated cover
- Range of benefits which come as standard
- Personalise your cover with optional extras
- 24-hour UK-based accident helpline
- Manage your insurance policy online, 24 hours a day
Tesco Bank Box Insurance for 17-35 year olds
Tesco Bank Box Insurance is specially designed for 17-35 year olds and is arranged and administered by Insure the Box Ltd.
Features of this include:
- A small box fitted to your car to monitor how you drive
- Fixed premium for a year
- No curfews or fines
- Choice of 6,000, 8,000 or 10,000 miles, which you can top up if you need to
- Rewards for safe driving with monthly bonus miles
- Accident alert
Optional extras
Tesco Bank offers a range of optional extras you can add to your policy.
These include:
- Breakdown cover
- Upgraded courtesy car cover (only available for policies for those aged 21 and over)
- Driver injury cover (only available for policies for those aged 21 and over)
- Key cover
What’s covered under my policy?
Tesco Bank car insurance policies for those aged 21 and over and for those aged 17-35 both provide cover for a range of features.
| Benefits | Insurance for 21 year olds and over | Insurance for 17-35 year olds |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured driver promise | ✓ | |
| Small courtesy car | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fire and theft cover | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windscreen cover | ✓ | ✓ |
| Replacement child car seat | ✓ | |
| In-car entertainment equipment cover | ✓ | |
| Using your car abroad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal accident | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medical expenses | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal belongings | ✓ | |
| Liabilities to third parties | ✓ | ✓ |
| No claim discount and protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Motor legal protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accidental damage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use by motor trade, hotels and car parks | ✓ | |
| Glass in windscreens, sunroofs or windows | ✓ | |
| Personal accident benefits | ✓ |
What is my excess?
An excess is the amount of money you contribute to the cost of your claim. The amount of your excess will depend on the level of cover you have and the nature of your claim. Details of your excess amounts will be displayed in your policy schedule.
Sometimes more than one excess will apply and, in this case, Tesco Bank will add them together.
There are two types of excess:
- Compulsory excess, which is set by the insurer underwriting your policy. This is added to the voluntary excess you choose, to give the total amount of excess you will pay if you make a claim.
- Voluntary excess, which comes in addition to any compulsory excess. You can set this as low as you want to reduce the amount you have to pay if you make a claim, or you can increase it, which may reduce your premium. Make sure you can afford to pay the amount you set, should the need arise.
How do I make a claim?
For standard insurance customers (over 21), the number you need to call to make a claim depends on which company underwrites your policy. Visit the claims page in the “existing customers” section of the Tesco Bank’s website to find the right number for you.
Numbers to claim for optional extras added to your policy can also be found on this page.
If you need to make a claim on your Tesco Bank Box Insurance policy, then you can call the Box Insurance claims helpline on 0330 022 2525. Make sure you have your policy number to hand.
The Tesco Bank claims team is available around the clock, seven days a week.
Compare Tesco Bank against other car insurance providers
Tesco Bank car insurance customer reviews
In our 2020 customer satisfaction awards, Tesco Bank got 3.5 out of 5 stars for its car insurance service, with 76% of customers saying they would recommend it to a friend or family member.
Here is some of the feedback we got from Tesco Bank car insurance customers:
“Good company to be with with great customer service.”
“Good efficient service.”
“They are excellent initially, then for loyal customers you are penalised.”
“I left them when they bumped up my premium, but they had been fine until then.”
“Hassle free.”
Online reviews for Tesco car insurance:
We found reviews for Tesco Bank on two review platforms and the feedback is very different from one to the other (updated on 5 June 2020):
| Trustpilot | Reviews.io |
|---|---|
|
★★★★★ 1.9 out of 5 |
★★★★★ 4.6 out of 5 |
The bank’s car insurance customers were impressed with how easy the service was to set up, but some complained of extra charges and delays in claim settling.
Tesco car insurance pros and cons
Pros
- Clubcard holders get a discount on their premiums.
- Windscreen cover is included as standard.
- 24/7 claims line available.
Cons
- Standard comprehensive cover is only available for the age of 21. Customers can get the Tesco Bank Box insurance policy from the age of 17 (up to 35).
- Some customers reported a hike in premiums on renewal.
Verdict
Tesco Bank provides a decent comprehensive cover for drivers over the age of 21, plus a good “black box” option for drivers aged 17-35.
The company did well in our independent customer satisfaction survey, but some customers did report price hikes on renewal.
If you are a Tesco Clubcard member, it’s worth getting a quote, as you will be eligible for a discount on your premium.
Frequently asked questions
Car insurance ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Our customer satisfaction scores (“Customers say”) are based on a survey of 750 customers carried out in December 2019.
*Based on independent online research by Consumer Intelligence (March ’20). 51% of car insurance customers could save £285.88.
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Expert review
Review by
Danny Butler
danny.butler@finder.comDanny is a publisher at Finder specialising in car, life, home, business and pet insurance. He previously worked at the global insurer Aon and has appeared in national media giving advice on insurance. Danny holds a BA in International Business from the University of Plymouth and has undying loyalty to his average-poor football team, Portsmouth FC.
Expert review
Tesco Bank has two different car insurance options for you to choose from including a fully comprehensive cover option for drivers 21 years old and over and a specialist “black box” policy designed for 17-35 year olds.
Each comprehensive policy includes a courtesy car, EU cover for up to 90 days and windscreen cover included as standard whilst the “box” policy includes some key benefits for younger drivers.
If you are a Tesco clubcard holder, you’re likely to benefit the most with a discount for existing policy holder and new customers.
Tesco Bank also scored well in our Finder customer satisfaction survey but some customers did report a hike in price of their premiums on renewal.