Best Car Insurance Companies UK 2025: Expert Comparison

Even the best car insurance can’t prevent frustrating traffic jams, stressful parking situations, or run-ins with rude drivers. But it can help you avoid a hefty bill if something more serious happens—like an accident, theft, or malicious damage to your vehicle. Besides, it’s a legal requirement in the UK.

The right car insurance policy can offer financial protection and peace of mind, but the wrong choice could mean overpaying or not having coverage when you need it most.

To help you choose the best car insurance for your needs, we’ve reviewed dozens of car insurance companies in the UK — including big names like AXA, Admiral and LV=, plus rising competitors like 1st Central, Marks & Spencer, and Post Office car insurance.

For each company, we evaluated important features like pricing, coverage options, claims handling, customer service, and optional extras. Below, we take you through our top 5 picks, detailing the unique strengths of each.

Below, we examine the 5 best UK car insurance providers so you can choose the right one for your needs.

Our expert score: 4.5/5

Pros

Cons

AXA is among the most recognised names in the UK car insurance industry. The company offers several primary cover levels, including third-party, fire and theft, and comprehensive. Both plans have added perks like protection for child car seats and audio or sat-nav equipment as standard. AXA also provides a range of optional add-ons, including courtesy car cover, protected no-claims discount, breakdown assistance, personal injury and rehabilitation cover, and legal expenses.

AXA boasts a 99.8% claim rate, and you can manage your policy entirely online, including making changes or accessing documents.

Why buy? Expert verdict

With AXA, you can get a 15% discount when you insure multiple cars registered at the same address. Multi-car discounts are common in the insurance industry, but AXA’s 15% is by far the best we found in our analysis. For context, LV= offers a multi-car discount of 12.5% while Aviva provides 10%.

What’s more, the process of getting the discount is quite easy. When running a quote, AXA will ask if you have another car insured with them at your home address. Simply answer yes and provide the car’s number plate—the 15% discount will automatically apply to the additional vehicle you’re insuring.

In short, AXA’s multi-car cover is an excellent option if you have multiple vehicles and want a hassle-free, affordable way to insure them.

✍️ Have you used this car insurance? Share a rating and review for AXA on Review Centre.

Our expert score: 4.5/5

Pros

Cons:

Liverpool Victoria (LV=) insurance might have a quirky name, but its motor insurance policies are anything but. According to our analysis, the company offers serious value for money. We tested quotes across various car types and age groups and found that it consistently delivers affordable rates compared to many competitors.

LV= offers 3 primary cover levels: Third-Party Only (TPO); Third-Party, Fire, and Theft (TPFT); and Comprehensive. It also provides several optional add-ons to enhance your coverage at an affordable price. These include motor legal expenses, guaranteed car hire if yours is out of action for whatever reason, breakdown cover, and a protected no-claims discount (NCD).

Why buy? Expert verdict

Whether you need basic coverage or comprehensive protection, LV= offers affordable plans with practical add-ons like breakdown assistance and personal belongings cover.

The company also provides a transparent quote process, which makes it easy to compare rates and find a plan suited to your needs. Additionally, you can enjoy a 5% discount if you buy your insurance online. However, this discount applies only to the policy, not optional extras.

Besides affordability, LV= offers a lifetime repair guarantee, making it one of the best-value car insurance companies in the UK market.

✍️ Have you used this car insurance? Share a rating and review for LV= on Review Centre and see what others have to say.

Our expert score: 4.5/5

Pros

Cons

Saga specialises in car insurance policies that cater to the needs of drivers over 50. It offers 3 coverage levels—Standard, Select, and Plus—designed for different needs and budgets.

All policies include a courtesy car during repairs and an “Uninsured Driver Promise.” If an uninsured driver hits you, Saga will refund any excess paid and preserve your No Claims Discount.

For those seeking long-term stability, the Saga Plus plan includes a 3-year fixed price guarantee, ensuring your premiums won’t increase for 3 years as long as there are no significant changes in your circumstances. Optional add-ons, such as legal protection, extended personal accident cover, and breakdown assistance, are available to customise your policy further.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Saga car insurance is ideal for drivers over 50 who want an insurer that genuinely understands their needs. Choosing an insurer that caters to a specific age group, like Saga for those over 50, can be a smart decision. Such a company often provides better value as it understands the group's priorities and challenges. That can result in more personalised service and coverage options designed to suit your lifestyle and preferences.

Beyond this, Saga is particularly beneficial for travellers since it allows driving in over 30 European countries for up to 3 months with the same level of protection as in the UK.

✍️ Have you used this car insurance? Share a rating and review for Saga on Review Centre.

Our expert score: 4.5/5

Pros

Cons

Tempcover specialises in flexible, short-term insurance for drivers needing temporary coverage. That could be for reasons such as borrowing a car, test-driving a new one, or covering a gap in existing insurance. The online application is simple and fast. In our test, we received a quote in just under 2 minutes, as promised on Tempcover’s site.

Tempcover’s policies offer comprehensive coverage as standard, which includes protection against accidental and malicious damage, coverage for injuries and damages to other vehicles, and even third-party coverage for driving within the EU. Optional extras include comprehensive EU cover, road breakdown cover, and excess reduction cover.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Tempcover’s short-term policies are perfect for drivers needing immediate, no-commitment insurance without the effort required for long-term policies. With an easy online application and nearly instant coverage, it’s a practical solution for unexpected or short-term insurance needs.

Plus, Tempcover has received numerous industry awards for temporary car insurance, which suggests it's a reliable and trustworthy company.

✍️ Have you used this car insurance? Share a rating and review for Tempcover on Review Centre.

Our expert score: 4.4/5

Pros

Cons

Hastings Direct is a top choice for young drivers thanks to its one-of-a-kind telematics policy, which rewards safe driving with policy discounts. It’s an excellent choice for new drivers looking to save money and gain experience.

Hastings Direct telematics policy, known as “YouDrive,” has a 5-star Defaqto rating and comes with a courtesy car, EU cover, and uninsured driver cover. Personal belongings and windscreen cover is standard. It also comes with an app that allows you to track how you’re driving.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Hastings’s policy stands out because it’s affordable and offers several valuable add-ons as standard. With other providers, you might have to pay for these separately. Also, you can manage your policy and access your driving data on the Hastings app.

✍️ Have you used this car insurance? Share a rating and review for Hastings Direct on Review Centre and see what others have to say.

Car insurance in the UK falls into 3 main categories: third-party-only (TPO), third-party, fire, and theft (TPFT), and comprehensive.

Third-party-only (TPO): The minimum legal requirement in the UK, this insurance covers damage or injury to others and their property but not your vehicle or injuries you sustain. It’s the cheapest and most basic option.

Third-party, fire, and theft (TPFT): This includes TPO coverage and protection against fire damage and vehicle theft. TPFT doesn’t cover accidental damage to your vehicle, such as a collision.

Comprehensive: The most extensive and expensive option, this covers everything in TPO and TPFT insurance, plus damage to your vehicle in an accident — no matter who’s at fault. Comprehensive policies often include optional extras like windscreen repair, legal expenses coverage, courtesy car, and breakdown assistance.

The most appropriate insurance depends on various factors, including:

Vehicle value. For new or expensive cars, comprehensive insurance is ideal to cover high repair or replacement costs. For older vehicles, TPO or TPFT is more cost-effective.

Budget. TPO is the cheapest option for tight budgets, while comprehensive insurance offers maximum coverage if affordability isn’t a concern.

Age or driving experience. Young or inexperienced drivers may choose TPO to lower premiums, as insurers often charge them more due to perceived higher risk.

Driving habits. Regular commuters or business drivers benefit from comprehensive coverage, which protects against theft, damage, and a broader range of risks.

Depending on the policy type, car insurance typically covers liability, damage, and additional benefits.

At the basic level, all policies include liability coverage, which provides compensation for damages or injuries you may cause to others while driving.

Advanced policies include more coverage elements. For example, TPFT includes fire and theft coverage to protect your vehicle in case of damage from fire or loss due to theft. Comprehensive policies include accidental damage to your car as well.

Many insurers offer optional add-ons, such as roadside assistance, extended personal injury coverage, and windscreen repairs. Some policies also provide a courtesy car if yours is in for repairs.

The best auto insurance is the one that meets all your needs and not just those of your wallet. Here are some key factors to consider when comparing options:

Different providers offer varying coverage limits on liability, personal injury, and property damage. Consider whether the insurer provides sufficient coverage for each element based on your needs.

Most insurance usually offers adjustable excess levels. A higher excess typically reduces your premium, but it also means you’ll pay more in the event of a claim.

Carefully read the policy terms to understand exclusions and avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road when making a claim.

Research each provider's reputation for claims handling and general support on review sites like Review Centre. How easy is it to access customer service? How quickly do they process claims?

Look for insurers with solid financial ratings from agencies like Fitch, Moody’s, or Standard & Poor’s. Good ratings indicate a company is stable and dependable.

Different insurers offer varying coverage packages and optional add-ons. Look for a provider who allows you to customise your policy with optional extras like breakdown assistance, legal expenses, and windscreen repair.

To create this list of the best car insurance in the UK, we meticulously evaluated each provider across a range of factors that we know are important to car insurance buyers. Here’s what we looked at:

We compared each insurer’s premium rates and evaluated the overall value, considering how coverage levels and benefits match costs.

We reviewed customer feedback on features like claims handling, policy flexibility, and customer service. We also considered ratings and scores from trusted industry sources to gauge the reliability of each provider.

We tested how easy it was to get an online quote from different companies. The companies that offer straightforward online or app-based quotes get extra points.

We assessed the value and the cost of optional features like legal protection, breakdown cover, and extended personal injury cover.

We reviewed each insurer’s website for user-friendliness, including how easy it was to get information about the policies available and make claims.

Factors like driver age, driving experience, location, car model, and claims history can all affect care insurance premiums. Insurers may also consider your credit score, annual mileage, and whether you drive for personal or business use.

You can lower your premiums by paying annually rather than monthly, increasing your excess, choosing optional extras carefully, adding other named drivers on your policy, and even being creative when listing your job title. Maintaining a clean driving record and bundling policies (like home or medical insurance) can also reduce costs.

It’s illegal to drive without valid car insurance in the UK. If caught, you could face penalties, including a fine, penalty points on your driver’s licence, disqualification from driving, or vehicle seizure.

Car insurance is vital to vehicle ownership, providing peace of mind and financial protection against unexpected events. But finding the right policy isn’t just about getting the cheapest deal—it’s about choosing coverage that works for you.

With so many providers out there, understanding what each policy offers and what matters most to you can make all the difference. Take a moment to review our recommendations for the best car insurance companies in the UK, compare their features, and find an option that’s right for you.

2. Liverpool Victoria (LV=) – Best car insurance company for affordable rates 3. Saga: Best car insurance company for over-50s4. Tempcover: Best car insurance company for temporary cover5. Hastings Direct: Best car insurance company for young driversWhat type of car insurance do I need?Amount of coverageExcess amountExclusions and limitationsGood customer service and claims handling Financial stabilityCoverage options and customisationPrice and value for moneyCustomer reviews and satisfactionEase of getting a quoteCustomisationDigital experienceWhat affects car insurance premiums?How can I lower my car insurance premium?What happens if I drive without car insurance in the UK?