How to check your car insurance expiry date
Whether you pay monthly or annually for your car insurance, at the end of each year you have the choice to renew or take out a new policy. Here's a guide to how it all works.
Key Takeaways
Your renewal date can be found in your policy documents
Compare quotes before your renewal date to find the best deals
Look out for your renewal notice so you aren't driving around without insurance
You can set up auto-renewal that will automatically renew your policy unless you cancel
This video information is available as a Text Transcript
When is my car insurance due?
As a driver, it’s your responsibility to make sure your car has a valid insurance policy before hitting the road. You can take out insurance for any time period you would like to use your car, but most people go for an annual policy that you can then renew yearly.
There are a few tips we can give you to find out when your car insurance is due:
Check your policy documents
These are typically emailed to you upon purchasing your policy, and contain start and renewal dates. If not, you can access them online or contact your insurer.Look out for your renewal notice
It’s common for insurers to send an email reminding you that your insurance is about to expire. Most will offer auto-renewal, which means as soon as your annual policy is over, the policy will renew itself.Check your bank statements
If you opt to pay for your insurance monthly, your bank statements will show when your next payments are due.
Once you know your renewal date, you can decide whether to stick with your current insurer or explore other options. Don’t forget you can use our comparison tool to get quotes from multiple insurers before renewing your policy.
In the meantime, make sure you have a valid car insurance policy in place. Driving without insurance is illegal and can result in serious penalties.
How to check car insurance expiry date?
You can check your car insurance expiry date through your insurer. You should have received your policy documents when you first purchased coverage from your insurer, and these will specify the policy start and end dates. If you can’t find them, just give your insurer a call. They will be able to give you all the details of your policy, including when it needs to be renewed.
How can the motor insurance bureau help me find out when my car insurance expires?
The easiest way to check your car’s insurance status is through the motor insurer’s database (MID). The MID is managed by the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) and holds details of all insured cars in the UK.
askMID is free to use and all you need is your vehicle’s registration plate number. It identifies the make and model of your car as well as whether your car is insured. To get access to further details like the insurer’s name and policy outline, you’ll need to pay a charge.
Remember, it’s illegal to drive on public roads in the UK if your car is uninsured. It’s important to keep track of your insurance policy’s expiration date and renew it before it expires to avoid any legal or financial consequences.
When should I renew my car insurance policy?
The best time to renew your car insurance policy is between 21 and 29 days before your policy expires. This will give you enough time to compare quotes from different insurers and find the best deal, whilst ensuring your policy fully meets your needs.
In fact, this can have a big impact on the price you pay, with the average price of insurance rising significantly if you want until the last minute:
Number of days before the policy renewal date | Average premium |
|---|---|
0 - renewing on the day your insurance ends | £761[1]Based on the median annual price where the days to policy start date is 0 days for car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket between November 2024 and January 2025. |
1 - renewing the day before | £711[2]Based on the median annual price where the days to policy start date is 1 days for car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket between November 2024 and January 2025. |
10 | £520[3]Based on the median annual price where the days to policy start date is 10 days for car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket between November 2024 and January 2025. |
20 | £448[4]Based on the median annual price where the days to policy start date is 20 days for car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket between November 2024 and January 2025. |
25 | £423[5]Based on the median annual price where the days to policy start date is 25 days for car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket between November 2024 and January 2025. |
26 | £420[6]Based on the median annual price where the days to policy start date is 26 days for car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket between November 2024 and January 2025. |
27 | £419[7]Based on the median annual price where the days to policy start date is 27 days for car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket between November 2024 and January 2025. |
28 | £392[8]Based on the median annual price where the days to policy start date is 28 days for car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket between November 2024 and January 2025. |
29 | £486[9]Based on the median annual price where the days to policy start date is 29 days for car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket between November 2024 and January 2025. |
30 | £915[10]Based on the median annual price where the days to policy start date is 30 days for car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket between November 2024 and January 2025. |
If you wait until the last minute, you may not have as many options and you could end up paying more. If you end up uninsured, you won’t be able to drive at all. If you need more time to compare, consider short-term car insurance which can cover you for one hour or as long as 28 days.
You might be tempted by auto renewal car insurance but we would advise against it. While auto-renewal car insurance is convenient, it often leads to higher premiums. Giving yourself time to compare quotes can allow you to be rewarded with lower premiums and access to our Super Save Club.
What should I do if my car insurance policy has expired?
If your car insurance policy has expired, you should not be driving at all. It is illegal to drive in the UK without valid car insurance. The continuous insurance enforcement rules that came into force in 2011 mean that every vehicle on UK roads must have at least third-party cover in place.
What happens if I drive without car insurance?
In the UK, it is illegal to drive without car insurance. If your car insurance policy has expired, you should not be driving at all. The continuous insurance enforcement rules that came into force in 2011 mean that every vehicle on UK roads must have at least third-party cover in place.
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 could either be listed as a named driver by the policyholder or take out temporary car insurance.
Do I need insurance if I don’t use my car?
Yes, even if you don’t drive your car, car insurance is still a legal requirement if you keep it on the road. This also includes having your car parked on a public road.
However, if you don’t drive your car and you don’t want to insure it, you can declare it off-road with a SORN (statutory off-road notification). This means you won’t be able to drive the car or park it on a public road until it has been taxed, has a valid MOT certificate, and is insured with a new policy.
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 coverage 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 and a gap in coverage between your old and new policies.
3. Keep your existing policy and add the new car:
If you want to keep your current insurer and rates but need to add the new car to your coverage, this might be the option for you.
Bear in mind, your premium might increase for more expensive or higher-risk vehicles.
The best option for you will depend on your individual circumstances. If you're unsure what to do or how it affects your no claims bonus, you can contact your insurance company for advice. Make sure your new car is covered by your current policy, as not all policies cover all cars, so you'll need to check with your insurer to be certain.
What can I do to ensure I don’t forget to renew my policy?
It's important you don't forget to renew your policy, as well as being aware of your automatic renewal date. Here are some additional tips for staying on top of your car insurance:
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 your insurer emails aren’t going to your 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
Consider automatic renewal but be aware it can often be more costly. Auto-renewal will automatically renew your policy with your current insurer unless you cancel it
Get car insurance with MoneySuperMarket
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.
