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What is 4x4 insurance?
4x4s are defined as cars that have four-wheel drive, and include some family SUVs.
The type of car insurance policy you’ll need for your 4x4 will depend on how you use it:
On the road only: standard car insurance policy
Off-road driving: you may need a specialist policy as standard cover typically excludes off-road use due to the increased risk of vehicle damage
Do I need car insurance for my 4x4?
🚩 Car insurance is a legal requirement regardless of what vehicle type you have.
You may need a specialist 4x4 car insurance policy if:
You’re using your 4x4 for off-road or competitive driving
You’re towing
You’ve modified your 4x4 in some way
💡 Top tip:
If you don’t inform your insurer about off-road damage or declare modifications you risk invalidating your car insurance.
If your insurance is invalid you can’t make claims and legally you can’t drive so you risk a £300 fine and six penalty points.
📣 Did you know?
64,087 car thefts^
Happened in the UK in 2024. That's one every 8.5 minutes.
4x4 models including Land Rovers and Range Rovers are popular targets.
What types of car insurance can I get?
-
Fully comprehensive
✔ The maximum level of cover for you and your vehicle
✔ Protects the third party (the other driver) if you're in an accident
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Third-party, fire and theft
✔ Insures your vehicle against fire damage and theft
✔ Protects the third party (the other driver) if you're in an accident
-
Third-party only
✔ Covers damage costs for third parties
✖ Does not cover you or your vehicle if you have an accident
What does car insurance cover?
Fully Comprehensive | Third-Party, Fire and Theft | Third-Party Only | |
|---|---|---|---|
Damage to your vehicle | Yes | No | No |
Damage caused by your vehicle | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Theft | Yes | Yes | No |
Damage caused by fire | Yes | Yes | No |
Injury to the driver of your car | Yes | No | No |
Injury to a third-party, including other drivers and passengers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How much would it cost to insure my 4x4 under a standard car insurance policy?
How much is car insurance?
The average cost of fully comprehensive car insurance is £516.50
^ , according to our data.Third-party, fire and theft costs a bit more on average (£609.25
^ ).Third-party only is generally the most expensive, with average policy prices currently at £850.47
^ a year.
4x4s usually cost more to insure
Your car insurance price is calculated according to your personal circumstances, including your age, where you live, and the type of car you drive.
You may find that 4x4 insurance is higher than average, due to factors such as:
the value of your 4x4
the cost of repairs
Jeep (average cost)
£479^
Land Rover (average cost)
£782^
Suzuki Jimny (average cost)
£345^
What 4x4 insurance extras are there?
🚩 Standard car insurance won’t usually cover you for off-road driving.
To take advantage of your 4x4s capabilities you’ll need to ask your insurer for specific add-ons or take out separate cover.
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Green-laning
Cover for adventure driving on unsurfaced roads and tracks legally open to vehicles
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Towing
Cover for towing caravans and large trailers with your 4x4
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Off-roading
Cover for driving on unpaved, natural or rough terrain
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Modifications
Cover for 4x4s upgraded with features such as lift kits, wheels, or winches
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European driving
Cover for taking your 4x4 on-road or off-road across Europe
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Remote breakdown recovery
Cover for specialist recovery when your 4x4 gets stranded far from main roads
Why should I compare 4x4 car insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket?
-
-
Rated 4.7/5 on Feefo
We're also the UK's most recommended price comparison website
^ -
Earn rewards
Buy through us and get up to £15
^ , plus other SuperSaveClub rewards -
Save money
Save up to £514
^ on car insurance. Plus, we price match and will give you £20 if you find a cheaper deal^
How can I get cheaper 4x4 car insurance?
4x4s are usually sorted into the higher car insurance groupings so costs will usually be higher than for other makes and models.
However, there are ways to reduce your insurance premiums:
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Pay annually
Paying insurance in monthly instalments is on average 31%
^ more expensive as it amounts to paying interest -
Improve security
Use features like an alarm or an immobiliser, and park your car in a garage or driveway rather than on the street
-
Limit your mileage
Discounts are available to drivers who have a low annual mileage limit (usually less than 6,000 miles)
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Increase your excess
A higher voluntary excess means lower premiums, although making a claim will become less affordable
-
Cut down on extras
Add-ons like breakdown cover or a courtesy car increase your premiums, so remove anything you don't need
-
Compare quotes
Shopping around and regularly switching providers can often yield cheaper premiums: our customers save up to £514
^
Our expert says…
Because they’re bigger and more expensive, 4x4s by their very nature cost more to insure. Due to their higher value it’s a good idea to look at comprehensive car insurance, which covers damage to your own vehicle not just other people’s. Shopping around is a quick and easy way to find a good deal on your car insurance – just tell us a bit about yourself and the car you want to cover, and we’ll do all the hard work.
Sara Newell Motor & Home Insurance Expert
Trusted Service Awards Winners
MoneySuperMarket has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
Can I get classic 4x4 car insurance?
Specialist insurance is available for classic cars, and classic 4x4s are no exception. Find out more with our guide to insuring classic cars.
How can I get cheap 4x4 insurance as a young driver?
Younger drivers tend not to be offered the cheaper car insurance deals, because they’re at more risk of making claims. Find out more about saving money on your car insurance as a young driver.
You might also find telematics insurance useful. This sees your insurer monitoring your driving performance either by installing a device in your car or on your phone, to measure how carefully you drive. Certain drivers can see their premiums fall this way.
Is towing a caravan covered by standard 4x4 insurance?
No, you will usually need to take out extra cover to tow as your trailer or caravan is unlikely to be covered or if it is, it will be on a third-party only basis. It’s also important to inform your insurer if you fit a towbar as it can be seen as a modification.
Can I get insurance for my modified 4x4?
Many 4x4 owners who use their cars for off-roading end up modifying them, with anything from improved suspension to roll cages. You can get insurance for these, but modifying your car tends to increase your premiums.
What’s the difference between green-laning and off-road cover?
Green-laning is different to driving off the road. Green-laning means driving on unsurfaced lanes, tracks or trails that are open to motor vehicles. They are officially classified as BOATs (Byways Open To All Traffic) or UCRs (Unclassified Country Roads).
Off-roading, meanwhile, literally means driving when you’re not on a road.
Do I need fully comprehensive if I only drive my 4x4 occasionally?
Strictly speaking, you never need to buy fully comprehensive insurance at all. As long as you have third-party insurance, you’re legally allowed to drive on UK roads.
However, fully comprehensive has two major advantages: firstly it covers you for many more situations than third-party insurance, and secondly it is usually the much cheaper option.
Do I need extra insurance for green-laning in the UK?
Yes, most likely. Although you’re driving on a public road your standard car insurance probably won’t cover you as insurers consider it off-road driving. You may be able to add it to your insurance.
If you’ve modified your vehicle to go green-laning you’ll need to consider specialist cover.
Why are 4x4s more expensive to insure than standard cars?
Certain factors can push up the price of 4x4s, such as:
Value: 4x4s tend to be more expensive to buy, making them more expensive in a write-off situation
Size and weight: As they’re often bigger and heavier than other cars, 4x4s can cause more damage in an accident
Usage: If you’re using a 4x4 for off-roading or green-laning there’s an increased risk of damage or an accident
Risk of theft: Thieves may target 4x4s due to their high-value parts and modifications
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At MoneySuperMarket, we want to give you clear, accurate and trustworthy information so you can make confident financial decisions for your circumstances.
Every page on our website goes through a careful editorial process before it is published. It’s written or reviewed by one of our experienced experts, checked for accuracy, and updated regularly to reflect the latest information.
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You can read more in our editorial guidelines.
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Our comparison service is, and will always be, free to use.
Why should I use a price comparison website?
One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
We don’t give recommendations or financial advice, but we give you clear information so you can choose financial products that suit your circumstances.
Does MoneySuperMarket work with all the providers on the market?
No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
Is car insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy car insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
This includes:
Up to £15, which you can withdraw as a pre-paid Mastercard or a gift card for brands like Sainsbury's and Amazon.co.uk
Free Days Out pass (worth £180), which gives free entry to a range of UK attractions
Cashback of up to 10% when you spend at brands including eBay, Just Eat and Argos
To earn SuperSaveClub rewards on purchases you must:
Sign up to SuperSaveClub (it's free)
Be signed in to your account when you make the purchase
More information can be found on our SuperSaveClub homepage.
Is car insurance eligible for Price Promise?
Yes, car insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.
If you buy through us then find the same deal for less we will:
refund the difference
give you a gift card worth up to £20
Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.
Reviewed on 15 Dec 2025 by
