How do I transfer my car insurance to a new car?
Key takeaways
To avoid any gaps in your car insurance cover, inform your car insurance provider you're changing vehicles
Your insurer will need details of the new car, including make, model, and the registration number, and when you’d like the cover to start
Your insurer will adjust your premium based on your new car and you may need to pay an admin fee or a cancellation fee if you change providers
Can you transfer car insurance from one car to another?
Yes, most insurance companies allow you to transfer your current car insurance policy to a different car even if you’re midway through your term.
They’ll usually charge an admin fee for this and they’ll recalculate your premium based on the make and model of the new vehicle.
Contact your insurer
Contact your insurer by phone or online to inform them about the change. They’ll need:
The make, model and vehicle registration number of your new vehicle, as well as whether it’s been modified
The date you would like the cover to start
Receive a new quote
Your insurer will assess the information and quote you the cost for transferring the policy. This quote will reflect any changes in risk that your new car presents compared to your old one
Sort out payments
If you pay monthly your insurer will adjust your monthly payments.
If you’ve already paid an annual premium you’ll then need to pay the difference if your premium has increased or get a refund if it’s reduced
You may have to pay a transfer or administration fee, although if you make the change yourself online your insurer may waive the fee
How will my new car affect insurance costs?
The cost of your car insurance depends on the type of car you drive, including its engine size, as well as other factors such as your age and driving history.
If you transfer your insurance from one car to another, especially if you drive a car in lower insurance group, usually something inexpensive with a small engine, you’ll pay a lot less than someone with a powerful sports car or a luxury 4x4.
The reason is simple: a bigger engine and more expensive car increase the risk and cost of potential claims. On the flip side, if you’re switching to a car in a higher insurance group your premium is likely to increase.
💡 Top tip: If you’re downsizing to a smaller car and your premiums don't come down it might be worth shopping around for a new policy with another insurer.
Can I see how a new car might affect my car insurance premium?
Yes, you can find out how the car you’re thinking of buying is likely to affect your premiums with our handy car insurance group checker.
Retrieving data...
Your car
Your car insurance group
Group 8/50
This car is among the lower insurance groups which should be good news for your premium. Cars in lower groups are typically cheaper to insure.
This car ranks in the middle insurance groups so it isn’t among the cheapest cars to insure, but it won’t be one of the most expensive.
This car is towards the higher end of the scale which means it could be relatively expensive to insure.
When should I transfer my car insurance to my new car?
Inform your insurer as soon as you have a delivery or collection date for your vehicle
You may be able to choose a start date up to a month in advance
Alternatively, if you’re buying from a dealership, it may offer you temporary insurance to cover you for the first few days of ownership
If you’re buying a vehicle privately, you’ll need insurance in place before you pick it up
What if I still need to insure my old car?
If your new car is due to arrive before you’ve sold your old one you could:
See if your insurer will cover both cars - this is known as multi car insurance
Take out standalone temporary car insurance for your new car
Alternatively, if your old car is off the road you could SORN it and not have to pay insurance.
What happens if I forget to inform my car insurer I've got a new car?
Failing to inform your insurer that you are now driving a different vehicle could invalidate your car insurance policy and mean that you’re driving your new car without insurance. Remember that is a legal requirement to have at least third-party cover in the UK.
Do I need to stay with my insurance provider when I change my car?
No, you’re under no obligation to stay with your current insurance provider when you buy a new car during the term of your existing cover, and you may well be able to save money by finding a better deal elsewhere.
If you do find a better quote elsewhere you could ask your insurer to match it.
What are the disadvantages of switching car insurance providers?
You’ll usually have to pay a cancellation fee
You’ll lose your no claims discount or no claims bonus for the year if you cancel your policy before the 12-month term is up (assuming you haven’t claimed on your insurance)
What other changes do I need to tell my car insurer about?
You may also need to update your policy for a host of other reasons, such as
Receiving a driving conviction or penalty points
Changing where you park your car overnight
Moving house
How can I compare car insurance quotes?
Comparing car insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket is a quick and easy way to check if you can save money by changing insurers rather than transferring your existing car insurance policy. All you need to do is provide some personal information, details about the car you’re buying, and your driving history to receive a list of quotes tailored to your needs.
Author
Sarah Tooze
Car & Van Insurance Expert
Sarah Tooze has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years, specialising in company cars and vans, and has won a number of awards during her career, including the Newspress ‘Automotive...
Reviewer
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...
