UK motorists could be paying more than necessary for car insurance simply because of when they buy their policy. Research from Money Saving Expert (MSE) found that "strangely, the timing of your quote can impact the overall price you pay, with car insurance costs increasing the closer you get to your renewal date."
The consumer advice website founded by Martin Lewis revealed that buying car insurance around three to four weeks before your policy starts could save hundreds of pounds. According to the blog, updated in April 2026, the "cheapest time to get quotes is 22 to 26 days ahead of your renewal date." It adds that "cover becomes more expensive the closer you get. It's the same if you are buying car insurance for the first time."
Average policy drops from £708 to £374
MSE analysed "100,000s of quotes" from comparison website MoneySupermarket between February and April 2026. The findings revealed that while "the cheapest time to buy is 22 to 26 days before renewal" the sweet spot was "25 days ahead", which is said to be the "overall cheapest time."
MSE explained the "average policy costs £708 a year on renewal day, but buy it 25 days earlier and this drops to £374 a year - a massive £334 saving. You might not see savings as large as those, but the principle still stands."
While individual savings will vary depending on factors such as where you park, your job, mileage, your age, driving history and whether your vehicle has had any modifications, the research highlights just how important timing can be. RAC explains that even your postcode could affect how much you pay, even if you've had no claims or accidents.
The motoring experts explain: "Living in a built-up area will increase your chance of accidents through sheer probability, as there will be more vehicles on the road. If you live in an area with a high crime rate, you could see the added risk to your car reflected in your premium costs since vandalism and theft may be more common. In classic UK fashion, the weather might also throw a spanner in the works… If you live on the coast or near a river prone to flooding, your insurance payments will consider the cost of potential water damage."
Why buying early makes it cheaper
It might seem strange that the date you purchase insurance can make such a dramatic difference to the price. However, according to the financial experts, insurers use purchasing behaviour as one of the factors when assessing risk. Drivers who organise their insurance weeks in advance may be viewed as more careful and responsible. Those who leave it until the last minute, on the other hand, can be considered a higher risk.
MSE explain: "When our best time to buy analysis concluded that insurance prices differed depending on how far in advance you got the policy, what insurers told us was generally the same thing – it's based around risk. Buying insurance a few weeks before you need it suggests you're more careful and organised, while leaving it to the last minute means you're seen as higher risk. Some insurers have told us they've seen a direct link between drivers who leave sorting their insurance to the last moment and those who make a higher number of claims. As for why the super-prepared are being penalised with higher prices for getting a quote 30 days in advance, it's basically because there are fewer insurers returning quotes at that stage."
Never auto-renew, MSE suggests
Most car insurance policies last 12 months, with the renewal price often worked out around a month before the policy ends. But it's rarely a good idea to auto-renew, as you could end up paying more than necessary - always compare quotes first. "You should never just auto-renew, as it's likely you'll pay more than you need to", MSE stresses.
The message from MSE is straightforward: don't leave your car insurance until the last minute. Whether you're renewing an existing policy or purchasing insurance for the first time, aim to compare quotes and arrange your cover around 25 days before it needs to begin. There's no guarantee every driver will save £334 - you might save more, or you might save far less. But getting the timing right could help you avoid paying more than you need to, and with inflation and petrol prices putting pressure on household budgets, it pays to save every penny.
