Best Car Insurance Companies in the UK: Comprehensive Comparison

Navigating the UK’s car insurance options can be overwhelming owing to the array of companies in the market. Mind it; affordable rates don’t guarantee quality service. So, compare quotes from multiple providers to ensure you secure the ideal coverage at a reasonable cost.

Today, we reveal the best car insurance companies in the UK as per their market share, customer feedback, and ratings.

10 Best Car Insurance Companies in the UK

Find the best car insurance companies in the UK for 2024. Compare quotes from top insurers and get cheap cover for your car.

1. Admiral Group – Largest Auto Insurance Company in the UK

The Admiral Group, the UK’s largest auto insurance firm, holds 11% of the market, operating under brands like Admiral, Bell, Diamond, Elephant, and Gladiator. Admiral is the trading name of EUI Limited. In 2022, Admiral maintained their motor business volume to protect margins, resulting in a 5% profit increase from 2019.

They insured about 5 million vehicles that year and introduced new products like “carriage of goods for hire and reward” for delivery drivers and “Admiral Essential,” a cost-effective policy via comparison channels. They also launched the Admiral Virtual Assistant (AVA) for customer support. Admiral is a convenient choice for quick, budget-friendly car insurance through various comparison sites.

Ratings:

• • Trust Pilot: 4.3 out of 5 star

• • Fitch rating: A

• • Best Motor Insurance Provider in the Personal Finance Awards 2022/23

Pros:

• • Admiral’s extensive coverage provides a replacement vehicle when yours is in an Admiral-approved garage for repairs.

• • European coverage up to 90 days.
    Cons:

• • Information on Admiral’s third-party, fire, and theft policies is limited on their website.

• • Claims helplines don’t operate round the clock; after hours, calls redirect to a contracted third-party recovery service.

2. Aviva – Best for Multi-car Insurance

Aviva, despite its smaller scale in the direct car insurance business, has been making strides by targeting multi-cover policies and the price comparison website (PCW) market. In 2024, they climbed from the third position to become the second-largest player in the industry, offering competitive rates on PCWs through their Quotemehappy brand.

Aviva also sells policies via their General Accident brand, securing the third-largest underwriter spot in the UK car insurance market. They’ve earned accolades like the Customer Care Award at the 2023 British Insurance Awards and a commendation in the Best Motor Insurance category by the Money Pages.

Aviva boasts high Trustpilot customer ratings among the ten best car insurance companies in the UK. Their comprehensive car insurance policies guarantee protection against uninsured drivers and allow you to drive someone else’s car if you’re 25 or older. They also render third-party, fire, and theft coverage, with an admin fee for mid-policy cancellations. For flexibility, Aviva introduced AvivaPlus, a pay-as-you-go option with three coverage levels: Basic, Regular, and Premium. It’s worth noting that Regular lacks coverage for driving abroad.

In summary, Aviva offers competitive pricing on PCWs, but drivers with recent accidents might find better deals elsewhere.

Ratings:

• • Trust Pilot rating: 4 out of 5 star

• • S&P rating: AA-

• • Moody’s rating: Aa3

• • AM Best: A

• • Fitch: AA-

Pros:

• • Round-the-clock claims support, is always available for your needs.

• • Inclusion of uninsured driver protection.

• • Flexibility to drive another person’s car.

• • Convenient interest-free monthly payments via credit or debit card.

Cons:

• • European coverage is an additional option.

• • No standard courtesy car provision.

3. Direct Line Group – Best for All-round Cover

Direct Line Group primarily sells car insurance directly to customers but also excels in the price comparison website (PCW) sector with brands like Churchill, Darwin, and Privilege. Approximately two-thirds of their sales come directly through the Direct Line brand, while one-third are sold via PCW channels. Their expansion on PCW includes launching the Darwin brand in 2019 and Churchill Essentials, a consistently low-cost option among major motor insurers.

Direct Line digitally enhances its claims processes for faster, simpler customer experiences. They invested £2 million in a car technology center to bolster efficient repairs and offer electric vehicle options. In 2022, gross premiums dipped slightly, with a 2.9% reduction in own-brand motor insurance policies.

Notably, they partner with Volkswagen, providing annual insurance policies and ‘5-day driveaway’ coverage for Volkswagen, SEAT, Audi, and ŠKODA car buyers through the UK Insurance Group.

Car insurance dominates their business, constituting nearly 50% of gross written premiums. For potential premium savings, explore Churchill, Darwin, or Privilege via PCW sites, though Direct Line isn’t typically available there.

Ratings:

• • Trust Pilot: 3.7 out of 5 star

• • Moody’s: A1

Pros:

• • No claims bonus secured for various non-fault claims (available with comprehensive coverage).

• • Zero fees for adjustments during the policy term.

• • Exclusive offers tailored for current policyholders.

Cons:

• • Lacks a 24/7 claims hotline (offers out-of-hours emergency support).

• • To obtain a quote, direct contact is necessary as it’s absent from price comparison platforms.

4. Hastings Direct – Best car insurance for young drivers

Hastings Direct is a top-rated car insurance provider, boasting over 3 million active motor insurance policies and a consistent year-on-year premium growth of 15%. They distribute their policies directly and via price comparison websites (PCWs). In 2018, a significant 73% of their new car insurance premiums were sold through PCWs.

The most budget-friendly option, Hastings Essential car insurance, is exclusively available through PCWs. They also offer two higher-tier coverage options, Direct and Premium, which can be obtained from comparison sites or directly through their website.

Moreover, they provide additional plans like YouDrive (utilizing black box technology) and Multi Car Cover, which offers discounts for households with 2 to 4 cars. Hastings Direct further operates under subsidiary brands, insurePink, and People’s Choice.

Hastings Direct is dedicated to enhancing its digital capabilities, making online purchasing and account management convenient for customers through its highly-rated customer portal and app. They’re known for their straightforward and easy-to-understand policy documents.

Although Hastings Essential is the most economical, it offers fewer features, such as the absence of windscreen coverage. For customers with a more flexible budget seeking comprehensive coverage, the Direct and Premium policies are excellent choices.

In December 2021, Hastings Direct was acquired by Sampo, a company with motor insurance interests in various European countries. Additionally, they have shifted their focus toward lower-risk customers, potentially impacting higher-risk drivers. In summary, Hastings Direct is a reliable choice for quality and affordable car insurance, backed by positive customer satisfaction ratings on Trustpilot and Fairer Finance.

Ratings:

• • Trust Pilot: 4.1 out of 5 star

• • S&P: n/a

• • Fitch: A-

Pros:

• • Standard inclusion of windscreen and personal belongings coverage in Direct and Premier comprehensive policies.

• • It provides options for multi-car and telematics (“black box”) coverage, catering to new and young motorists.

• • Accessible 24/7 claims hotline.

Cons:

• • Lacks third-party-only coverage.

• • Limited pre-quote information on third-party fire and theft policy.

• • Navigation on the Hastings Direct website may be more user-friendly.

5. LV= Best for competitive pricing

We recommend LV= car insurance as our top choice due to its competitive pricing across various age groups. LV= offers discounts for insuring multiple vehicles (up to 20% off per extra vehicle), an uninsured driver promise, and a variety of coverage options. They cater to standard, classic, and electric cars. While there’s an admin fee for changes, LV= stands out for its customer reviews and features, ranking as the top choice in our study of affordable car insurance companies. While not the cheapest option, LV= provides comprehensive coverage with features like personal injury protection, uninsured driver promise, and misfuelling cover.

Ratings:

• • Trust Pilot= 4.5 out of 5 star

• • S&P: AA

• • Moody’s: Aa3

Pros:

• • One of the best insurance companies in the UK provides various car insurance options, catering to both conventional and electric vehicles.

• • They offer multi-vehicle insurance.

• • Additional add-ons to bolster your car insurance coverage.

• • A 24/7 open claims helpline.

Cons:

• • Making alterations to your vehicle or adding new drivers may lead to administrative charges.

6. RSA – Best for comprehensive cover options

Royal & Sun Alliance, known for its More Than brand, has surprisingly climbed the car insurance ranks despite its departure from the market. In 2022, they sold over £1 billion in car policies, securing the 6th spot among the largest and best car insurance companies in UK. Their forte lies in home insurance policies, which they write even more of. RSA also underwrites policies for various other brands, such as Clydesdale Bank and ingenie.

More Than provides comprehensive options, including a “Standard” policy, an “Essentials” policy, and an all-encompassing “Extra” policy. Both Standard and Extra policies receive 5-star ratings from Defaqto, while Essentials gets 3 stars. However, the company could improve its policy transparency on its website.

All levels of comprehensive cover include benefits like courtesy cars and child car seat replacement. Opting for Standard or Extra also grants access to wrong fuel cover, personal belongings cover, and an uninsured driver promise.

Despite being one of the UK’s major insurers, RSA’s questionable claims handling and its exit from the market may deter potential customers.

Ratings:

• • Trust Pilot: 3.9 out of 5 star

• • AM Best: A

• • Moody’s: A2

• • Fitch: AA-

7. AXA – Best for claim handling

AXA, the 7th largest car insurer in the UK, underwrites policies for various brands like mypolicy.co.uk and By Miles. Their third-party, fire, and theft cover is comprehensive, but they don’t offer third-party-only options. Although they rank lower in our top 10 list, customers appreciate their efficient claim handling and service quality.

Ratings:

• • Trust Pilot: 4.3 out of 5 star

• • S&P: AA-

• • Moody’s: Aa3

• • Fitch: AA-

Pros:

• • Axa’s car insurance holds a top-notch 5-star Defaqto rating.

• • You get a courtesy car included as a standard feature.

• • A 24/7 claims hotline ensures immediate assistance.

Cons:

• • Unfortunately, they don’t offer third-party-only coverage.

8. NFU Mutual – Best for Customer Experience

NFU Mutual stands out among the UK’s best car insurance companies, serving rural drivers. Owned by policyholders, not shareholders, they don’t offer online quotes. Instead, they boast 300+ nationwide offices, 650+ agents, and a UK-based call center. Their exceptional customer service is reflected in low complaint rates.

NFU Mutual enjoys a high Trustpilot score of 4.7 stars and offers discounts to members on new cars from select manufacturers. They provide three cover levels: third-party, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive, all highly rated.

Standard benefits include breakdown cover, courtesy cars, and personal accident coverage. It’s an ideal choice for those who prefer personalized service over online transactions.

Ratings:

• • Trust Pilot: 4.4 out of 5 star

• • S&P: n/a

• • Moody’s: n/a

• • Fitch: n/a

Pros:

• • Round-the-clock claims helpline available

• • Policy amendments incur no administrative fees

• • All car insurance policies include RAC Mutual assist breakdown cover

Cons:

• • Navigating the NFU Mutual website can be challenging

• • A few potential customers claim rejection based on postcode or occupation

9. esure Group – Best for Value

A prominent personal motor and home insurance company, Esure Group operates through its brands, Sheilas’ Wheels and esure. They have over 700 specialists at UK-based claims centers and manage a network of motor repairers handling over 90% of accidental damage claims.

While Esure is among the top 10 car insurance companies in the UK, customer reviews dipped in 2020, going from 3.9 stars on Trustpilot to 3.7 stars. However, by mid-2023, they managed to boost their rating back up to 3.9 stars, indicating efforts to enhance the customer experience.

Esure’s comprehensive coverage offers essential features like a courtesy car, windscreen cover, and accident recovery. Notably, standard key protection only protects against theft; additional coverage for loss or accidental cover is available at an extra cost. It also requires knowledge of your car’s identity or location by the thief.

Detailed Policy Wording on esure’s website provides insights into their comprehensive car insurance coverage.
In short, Esure offers feature-rich policies but may not be the most budget-friendly option, with a current Trustpilot score of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Ratings:

• • Trust Pilot: 3.3 out of 5 star

• • S&P: n/a

• • Moody’s: n/a

Pros:

• • Available customer support all week

• • Favorable customer reviews

Cons:

• • Higher charges for canceling policies

• • Additional costs for key loss or accidental damage

10. Ageas – Best for AI integration

Ageas is a prominent car insurer known for AI integration in claims, reducing approval time to 2-3 minutes and offering 24/7 service, boosting customer satisfaction and Trustpilot ratings. They insure 3.9 million personal motor customers, with over 99% claim payout from Aug 2020 to Jul 2021.

Ageas sells policies through brokers, affinity partners, and direct channels. While they used to partner with Tesco for Motor Legal Protection, it shifted to Tesco in May 2021. They also administer policies for Age Co and have new partnerships with Sainsbury’s Bank, Co-Op Insurance, Marmalade, and GoShorty. However, their rates may not be the most competitive.

Ratings:

• • Trust Pilot: 4.1 out of 5 star

• • S&P: A+

• • Fitch rating: AA-

Pros:

• • Standard coverage includes benefits like a courtesy car and costs for onward journeys.

• • Approved repair work comes with a lifetime guarantee.

• • Accessible 24-hour claim line and motor legal advice helpline.

Cons:

• Third-party-only and third-party, fire, and theft coverage are not accessible.

Top Car Insurance Companies in the UK – FAQs