When is my car insurance due?
Key takeaways
Your renewal date can be found in your car insurance policy documents
If you bought your policy through MoneySuperMarket it can be found at https://www.moneysupermarket.com/my-dashboard/policy-hub
You can call your insurance provider and they will give you your renewal date
This video information is available as a Text Transcript
How do I check my car insurance expiry date?
You can find your car insurance expiry date in the following places:
MoneySuperMarket policy hub
This is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to find your renewal date if you bought your policy through us:
1) Sign in to MoneySuperMarket
2) Navigate to the policy hub
3) Your active car insurance policies will be displayed here. You can find your renewal date in these policy documents.
Your car insurance policy documents
These are typically emailed or mailed to you upon purchasing your policy, and contain your start and renewal dates. However, they may be out of date if you changed your policy after purchasing it.
If you can't find your car insurance policy documents, you will be able to access them via your insurer's website. You can also call your insurer and they will provide you with your renewal date.
Your renewal notice
It’s common for insurers to send you an email or letter reminding you that your insurance renewal date is coming up.
However, this is only useful if you are close to your renewal date.
Your bank statements
Looking through your bank statements to see when you last paid your insurer can give you a rough idea of your renewal timing, but it is less precise than checking policy documents.
Annual payments will indicate when your policy is due to renew, but monthly payments will only show when your next instalment is due, not your exact expiry date.
It is illegal to drive without a valid insurance policy in place, so before your current car insurance policy expires you must renew it.
Many insurers will auto-renew your policy unless you opt-out. It's always worth comparing quotes from other insurers to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere.
Can the Motor Insurance Database tell me when my car insurance expires?
No. The Motor Insurance Database (MID) holds the details of all insured cars in the UK but it will only tell you if your car is insured or not, not any specific policy details like when it runs out.
When should I renew my car insurance policy?
The best time to renew your car insurance policy is usually between 20-29 days before your policy expires. Prices tend to rise sharply closer to the renewal date.
Our research shows that the cheapest car insurance deals are most likely to be found 25
Number of days before the policy renewal date | Average premium |
|---|---|
0 - renewing on the day your insurance ends | £704 |
1 - renewing the day before | £655 |
10 | £473 |
20 | £461 |
25 | £380 |
26 | £407 |
27 | £424 |
28 | £388 |
29 | £467 |
30 | £398 |
MoneySuperMarket can take the work out of switching car insurance. We'll show you multiple deals to choose from, and give you extra rewards from our Super Save Club.
What should I do if my car insurance policy has expired?
If your car insurance policy has expired, you cannot drive. It is illegal to drive in the UK without at least third-party cover in place. Luckily, you can get new car insurance quickly and have your cover start immediately.
If you need to drive but want more time to find a better or cheaper annual policy, you could look into short-term car insurance which can cover you for a few hours, days or weeks.
What happens if I drive without car insurance?
If you are caught driving without insurance, you could face the following penalties:
A fixed penalty notice of £300 and six penalty points on your driving licence (which could result in difficulty getting insurance in the future)
An unlimited fine if you are taken to court
The seizure of your vehicle
Disqualification from driving
Even if the car itself has insurance, you must be properly insured to drive it or you could be penalised. For example, if it’s not your car, you must either be listed as a named driver by the policyholder or hold temporary car insurance for it.
Do I need insurance if I don’t use my car?
You do not need insurance if you meet the following requirements:
The car is parked on private land, such as your driveway or garage. You need insurance to park on public roads
You have applied for a free Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) from the UK government's website
What happens to my existing insurance if I buy a new car?
When you buy a new car in the UK, you have a few options for handling your existing insurance:
1. Transfer your existing policy to the new car
This is the most common choice and lets you keep your current cover and rates
However, your premium might go up if the new car is pricier or has a higher risk of theft or damage
2. Cancel your existing policy and start a new one
This is a good option if you want to shop around for a better deal or if your current insurer doesn't cover the new car
Be aware that there may be cancellation fees
Be careful there isn't any gap in cover between your old and new policies
3. Keep your existing policy and add the new car
If you are keeping both your old car and your new ones, you may be able to get discounts by adding them both to one policy
Your premium might increase if you've added a more expensive or higher-risk vehicle
If you're unsure what to do or how it affects your no claims bonus, you can contact your insurance company for advice.
What can I do to make sure I don’t forget to renew my policy?
Most car insurance policies auto-renew each year. That means your policy with your current insurer will continue unless you cancel it.
The benefit of auto-renewal is that you don't have to worry about accidentally being uninsured. But because insurers can change their prices each year, you could end up paying more for your car insurance than if you shopped around for a new deal.
Here are some tips so you don't forget to renew your policy:
Set a reminder in your phone or calendar.
This will help you remember when your policy is due and give you plenty of time to shop around for a new policy if you want to.
Check your policy regularly
Be aware of the renewal date on your policy and make sure your policy still meets your needs and that your premiums are competitive.
Make sure insurer emails aren’t going to junk
When your policy is reaching its end, your insurer is likely to email you reminding you it’s time to renew but sometimes these emails can end up in your spam folder.
How can I get cheaper car insurance when I renew my policy?
It’s always a good idea to shop around, and comparing car insurance quotes on MoneySuperMarket is an easy way to browse deals from multiple providers.
All you need to do is enter a few details about your car and driving history, and we’ll show you a selection of car insurance deals tailored specifically for you and your vehicle.
Author
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
