What Car Insurance Do I Need in the UK?

If you drive a car in the UK, you must have at least third-party car insurance. This is the legal minimum. It covers injury or damage you cause to other people or their property, but not damage to your own car. You can choose wider cover through third party, fire and theft or comprehensive insurance.

The right level of cover depends on your car, how you use it and what you could afford to pay after an accident. At Got You Covered, we help drivers find suitable car insurance, including those with previous claims, motoring convictions or a low no-claims bonus.

What car insurance is required by law?

Third-party insurance is the minimum legal cover for driving on UK roads and in public places. Your policy must also cover you to drive the vehicle for your intended use.

In Great Britain, driving without valid insurance can lead to a £300 fixed penalty and six penalty points. A court can impose an unlimited fine or a driving ban. The police may also seize the vehicle.

Even if you rarely drive, your car generally needs insurance unless it is kept off the road and you have made a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

What are the three types of car insurance?

There are three main levels of car insurance in the UK. Each offers different protection.

Third party only

Third party only insurance covers your liability for injury or damage caused to other people, vehicles or property.

It does not normally pay to repair or replace your own car after an accident, or if it is stolen or damaged by fire.

Third party, fire and theft

Third party, fire and theft insurance includes third-party protection. It can also cover your car if it is stolen or damaged by fire.

It does not normally pay for accidental damage to your own car. If another driver causes the accident, you may be able to recover your losses from them or their insurer.

Comprehensive car insurance

Comprehensive insurance normally includes third-party liability, fire, theft and accidental damage to your own car. It is generally the widest of the three standard levels.

However, comprehensive does not mean everything is covered. Windscreen damage, courtesy cars, personal belongings and breakdown support may have limits, be optional or be excluded.

Always check the policy documents before buying.

Which level of car insurance should I choose?

Think about how much it would cost to repair or replace your car.

Comprehensive cover may be worth considering if a large repair bill would cause financial problems.

Third party, fire and theft may suit you if you want protection against theft and fire but could pay for your own accident repairs.

Third party only provides the legal minimum, with less protection for your own vehicle.

Do not assume third-party cover costs less. Comprehensive insurance can sometimes be cheaper, so it is worth comparing quotes for each level.

If your car is leased or on finance, check your agreement. You may be required to have comprehensive cover.

Does my car insurance need to cover commuting or business use?

Yes. Your policy must include the correct class of use. This describes whether you use your car for personal trips, commuting or work.

Social, domestic and pleasure use does not normally include commuting.

If you travel to a regular place of work, check that commuting is included. If you visit clients or travel between work sites, you may need business-use cover.

Delivery or paid passenger work can require a different type of insurance.

At Got You Covered, we can help you check which types of use are available through our panel of insurers.

You should also check who can drive the car. A named driver must be correctly listed on the policy, and the main driver must be accurately identified.

What affects the price of car insurance?

Your insurance premium is the amount you pay for your policy.

Insurers can consider your age, address, vehicle, mileage, driving record and claims history when calculating your price.

Our article on what affects your car insurance premium explains these factors in more detail.

Your insurance excess also matters. This is the amount you may need to pay towards a claim. A higher voluntary excess may reduce your premium, but it increases what you could pay if you claim.

A no-claims bonus may reduce your premium, although discounts vary between insurers.

Previous claims or motoring convictions can increase costs or limit which insurers are willing to offer cover.

What do I need to tell my car insurer?

When applying for insurance, you must take reasonable care to answer the insurer’s questions fully and correctly.

Giving incorrect or incomplete information can amount to misrepresentation. Depending on the circumstances, this may affect your premium, policy terms or claims.

Before getting a quote, have these details ready:

• Your driving licence details, including any convictions or penalty points you are asked to declare.
• Previous accidents, claims and reported incidents within the period the insurer asks about.
• Your car’s registration, modifications and usual overnight parking location.
• Your estimated annual mileage, occupation and intended use of the car.
• Details of additional drivers and proof of your no-claims bonus, where applicable.

If something changes after you buy cover, check whether your insurer needs to know. This could include a change of address, vehicle use or modifications.

Finding car insurance with Got You Covered

At Got You Covered, we arrange specialist car insurance through our panel of insurers.

We may be able to help if you have previous claims, a low no-claims bonus or motoring convictions that make standard cover harder to find.

Our convicted driver insurance options include cover for some motorists with previous driving offences. We also help eligible motorists find drink driver insurance after any driving ban has ended and their licence has been properly restored.

We can explain the available cover levels, excesses and policy terms so you can make an informed choice.

Acceptance and prices depend on the insurer and your circumstances.

If you are unsure what car insurance you need, contact Got You Covered or start a quote to explore your available options.

Car insurance FAQs

Is comprehensive car insurance required by law?

No. Third-party insurance is the legal minimum. However, some finance or leasing agreements may require comprehensive cover.

Can I drive someone else’s car with comprehensive insurance?

Not automatically. You would need suitable driving other cars cover or another policy that covers you to drive that vehicle. Where included, this cover is often limited to third-party protection and may have restrictions.

Do I need insurance if my car is parked and unused?

Usually, yes, unless it is kept off the road and registered as SORN. A car kept on a public road must still have valid insurance.

Is third-party car insurance cheaper than comprehensive?

Not always. Comprehensive insurance can sometimes cost less. Compare premiums, excesses and benefits before choosing.

Can I get car insurance with motoring convictions or previous claims?

Possibly. Some insurers may charge more or decline cover, but specialist options may be available.

At Got You Covered, we can review your circumstances and check which insurance options our panel may be able to offer.