How much does UK car insurance cost?
Find out what the typical car insurance prices are for your age group, then use our calculator to find out the cost of your premiums.
Steve Ramsey Managing editor for motoring
Last updated 30 April 2026
5 mins read
Looking for car insurance?
We’ve been crunching the numbers to find out how much car insurance costs.
Between January and March 2026, the average premium in the UK was £385[1].
That's a small decrease from the previous quarter, when the average cost was £403.
*Based on the median premium of car insurance sales made through Go.Compare for dates between 01 July 2022 and 31 March 2026 inclusive for payment type "Annually" broken down by cover type
What factors impact the cost of car insurance?
The cost of your car insurance can be affected by:
The policy type
We found that the cheapest type of car insurance was comprehensive costing an average of £384 annually.[2]
You’d probably expect the most basic level of cover to be the cheapest, but the average cost of third party only (TPO) insurance is £540 – over a third more expensive than third party, fire and theft cover.
Your age
Car insurance premiums are usually more expensive for younger drivers.
Car insurance costs a median of £743 for younger drivers. That drops by 53% to £349 for a year’s cover when drivers are aged 65 and over.[3]
Your occupation
You have to tell your insurer about your employment when you take out car insurance. The occupation you select can have an effect on the cost of your premiums.
Our data shows the cheapest occupations for car insurance are:[4]
| Occupation | Premium |
|---|---|
| Gardener | £251 |
| Postman | £262 |
| Domestic Staff | £265 |
| Pharmacy Technician | £268 |
| Housekeeper | £271 |
| Medical Secretary | £273 |
| Shop Assistant | £274 |
| Receptionist | £276 |
| Paramedic | £276 |
| Teachers Assistant | £277 |
Your location
Where you live gives insurers an indication of the crime rate and where you’re likely to park your car overnight.
Our data shows car insurance in Greater London costs around £556 a year. That's around 78% more expensive than in Wales, where the median cost is £312.[5]
To give you a clearer idea, here’s the average cost of car insurance in each UK region:
| Region | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Scotland | £360 |
| Northern Ireland | £454 |
| North East | £354 |
| North West | £401 |
| East Midlands | £360 |
| West Midlands | £420 |
| Wales | £312 |
| South West | £319 |
| South East | £379 |
| Greater London | £556 |
Your mileage
Statistically, the more you drive the more likely you are to have an accident. Here are the median costs of insurance based on how many miles you drive:
| Annual mileage | Premium |
|---|---|
| 6,000 | £375 |
| 7,000 | £388 |
| 8,000 | £399 |
| 9,000 | £391 |
| 10,000 | £417 |
What else affects the cost of my car insurance?
Your premium might also depend on things like:
- How long you’ve been driving
- Your driving history – including accidents and driving offences
- Your no-claims discount
- The amount of voluntary excess you choose
- The make and model of your car
- Where you park your car overnight
Insurers use all of this information to statistically assess your level of risk and calculate your premium accordingly.
Is it cheaper to pay for car insurance annually or monthly?
It’s cheaper to pay for your insurance annually in a lump sum at the start.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) add to my car insurance price?
It adds 12% onto the final cost of your car insurance.
How much does paying monthly add to my car insurance cost?
You’ll pay between 8% and 11% more in total for your car insurance if you pay monthly, according to a report from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).