Car Insurance: A Practical Guide to Comparing Cover
Finding car insurance that suits you
Car insurance is a legal requirement for most people who drive on public roads in the UK, but policies can differ considerably. The cheapest quote is not necessarily the most suitable, so it is worth looking beyond the headline premium before deciding which policy to buy.
Insurers may take account of factors such as your age, driving history, occupation, address, annual mileage, the vehicle you drive, where it is normally kept and how you use it. Different insurers can assess the same information differently, which is one reason quotations can vary.
Comparing quotations from a range of insurers can therefore be useful, particularly when your renewal is approaching or your circumstances have changed.
What should you compare?
Price matters, but it should not be the only consideration. Before choosing a policy, check the level of cover and the main terms that apply to you.
These may include the compulsory and voluntary excesses, cover for windscreens, personal belongings, courtesy cars, legal expenses, driving other cars and whether breakdown assistance is included or available separately.
You should also check any significant exclusions or restrictions. Two policies described as comprehensive can still provide different benefits and impose different conditions.
Always read the insurer's policy information and other documents before purchasing. The insurer providing the quotation is responsible for the terms and price of the policy offered.
Give accurate information
When obtaining quotations, answer the questions accurately and as fully as required. Details such as your occupation, address, vehicle use, annual mileage, modifications and claims or driving history can affect the quotation.
If your circumstances change during the policy, check whether your insurer needs to be told. Examples might include changing occupation, moving home, substantially changing your annual mileage or altering how you use or keep the vehicle.
If you are unsure what an insurer is asking or whether information needs to be disclosed, contact the insurer or broker before relying on a general online answer.
How our comparison service works
Prudentplus.co.uk is maintained by Prudent Plus Limited. Prudent Plus Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 10104295 and has its registered office at Booths Hall, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8GS.
Prudent Plus Limited acts as an introducer appointed representative of Seopa Ltd, trading as Quotezone. Seopa provides the insurance comparison service.
Seopa Ltd is registered in Northern Ireland under company number NI046322. Its registered office is Floor 4, Blackstaff Studios, 8–10 Amelia Street, Belfast, BT2 7GS. Seopa Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under Firm Reference Number 313860. Its permitted business includes insurance mediation.
These regulatory details can be checked using the Financial Conduct Authority's Financial Services Register. The FCA explains that the Register can be used to check firms, their regulatory status and the activities for which they have permission.
What happens when you compare quotes?
When you use the comparison service, information you provide is used to obtain quotations from participating insurance providers. The quotations themselves are provided by the relevant insurers or insurance providers rather than by Prudent Plus Limited.
If you decide to proceed with a quotation, you will normally enter into the insurance contract with the insurer or provider concerned and its own terms, conditions and claims procedures will apply. Quotezone's published terms explain that quotations shown through its comparison service come from third-party providers.
Prudent Plus Limited does not provide personal financial advice through this website. The purpose of the comparison facility is to introduce visitors to the Quotezone comparison service so that they can obtain and compare available quotations.
Before you buy
Take a little time to check what you are buying. Look at the excess, important exclusions, optional extras and whether the policy provides the cover you actually need. Do not rely on price alone.
If something in the quotation or policy wording is unclear, ask the insurer or insurance provider before purchasing. Keep copies of the information you supplied and the policy documents you receive.
You can independently check Seopa Ltd's regulatory details through the Financial Services Register. You can also find general consumer information about insurance from the Financial Conduct Authority and MoneyHelper.
Important: Insurance quotations and availability depend on individual circumstances and the participating providers. Comparing quotations does not guarantee that a particular insurer, premium or level of cover will be available.