Martin Lewis, the founder of MoneySavingExpert, has disclosed a 'golden window' that could significantly reduce what you pay for car and home insurance. According to Lewis, purchasing a policy approximately 26 days before its start date can nearly halve the cost for many drivers.
The Sweet Spot for Car Insurance
In a TikTok clip from his Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITV, Lewis explained that the ideal time to secure a car insurance quote is around 26 days before the new policy begins. He emphasised that this is one of the most crucial tips he has ever shared, backed by millions of quotes. 'The price you're quoted then can — and it doesn't work for everyone, but it works for many people — beats nearly half what would happen if you got a quote the day of your renewal. Bonkers, isn't it?' Lewis said.
This timing advantage stems from how insurers assess risk. All insurance pricing is based on actuarial models that evaluate the likelihood of a claim. Lewis noted, 'The type of people who leave it to the last minute are deemed to be a higher risk than the people who go and get their insurance earlier, so they pay more.' His advice was direct: 'Even if you're the type of person who leaves it to the last minute, in this one, get your diary, try and pervert the system, do it earlier and you can save money.'
Home Insurance Window
For home insurance, the same principle applies but with a slightly different optimal window. According to Lewis's data, the sweet spot for home insurance is 15 to 20 days before renewal. This timing can similarly lead to substantial savings.
Real-Life Examples
Lewis shared examples from viewers who benefited from this strategy. A viewer named Selene had paid £913 for her car insurance the previous year, assuming the high cost was due to her age of 63. After applying the 26-day rule, she secured the same policy for £468 — a saving of £445, or a 49% reduction. Another viewer, Nicolo, had been quoted £555 for car insurance but checked again 25 days before renewal and obtained it for £222. 'That's why the sweet spot is sweet,' Lewis remarked.
How to Take Action
The process is straightforward. Note the renewal date of any car or home insurance policy and set a reminder to start comparing quotes around 26 days before renewal for car insurance and 15 to 20 days for home insurance. Using a comparison site at that point, rather than simply accepting the renewal quote from an existing provider, is the most effective way to make the timing work in your favour.
A spokesperson for insurance experts UK Sure commented: 'This is one of those tips that genuinely surprises people when they first hear it, but the logic behind it is sound. Insurers price based on behaviour, and shopping around at the right time rather than at the last minute can make a real difference to the quote received. It takes a couple of minutes to set a reminder but the potential saving, as Martin's examples show, can run into hundreds of pounds. Anyone with a renewal coming up in the next few weeks should check when their policy starts and get their quotes in at the right time.'
With insurance costs still elevated for many households, getting the timing right on a renewal is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cut a regular expense without changing anything about the cover itself.
