Comparing car insurance

According to UK law, all cars need to be insured, but the level of cover is up to you. Many people continue to use their existing car insurance company because it’s easier to just renew their policy rather than shop around. But this can result in you not only wasting money, but also not actually finding the policy that best suits your needs.

How do you find the cheapest, most suitable car insurance policy for you and your vehicle?

On the surface, many insurance policies look very similar. But if you take a closer look, there will usually be differences in both the level of cover offered and the things that you’ll actually be covered for.

That’s why it’s so important to read the policy documentation and do your research before you buy. Many insurers will have unique features in their cover that could be very valuable to you – or something that you’ll never require.

Every Insurance policy from John Lewis Finance has been carefully created to make sure that we offer a high level of cover and great value for money.

As well as the great cover that you’d expect, there are some additional features within many of our policies that you might not know about.

Misfuelling Cover – putting diesel in your tank instead of petrol, or vice versa, is a surprisingly easy mistake to make and it can cause a lot of damage. That’s why with Car Insurance from John Lewis Finance you can claim for a drain-out up to £500 and 10 litres of the correct fuel to get you back on the road.

Emergency Journey Cover – being involved in an accident can put a big dent in your plans as well as your car. That’s why if you’re involved in an accident and you need to travel due to an emergency before your replacement car arrives, we will pay you back up to £500 towards travel or hotel costs to finish your journey if your car is not roadworthy following an accident. Terms apply.

24 hours, 7 days a week – we know accidents can happen at any time and are never convenient. That’s why our claims line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Car insurance checklist

Follow our top tips to see how you could not only save money on car insurance, but also make sure it covers everything it needs to and doesn’t have any hidden exemptions.

Research your options – going online can be a good place to start. Results can be confusing and a little overwhelming, but if you enter accurate details and pick and choose the elements of cover you do and don’t want, you might find that you could save yourself a lot of money. But make sure you shop around to avoid wasting money, and get the provider or policy that is best for you.

Go direct – once you’ve found a car insurance provider you think is the cheapest and best for you, it’s worth phoning them directly. This way you can talk to a person who can answer your questions before you commit to buying.

Don’t get caught out – remember that the cheapest car insurance isn’t always the most comprehensive and you may get caught out if you make a claim for something you thought was covered. So before you buy, check that the insurer you’ve chosen provides the right level of cover that you need for your car.

Check out the benefits – certain insurers will give you a gift when you join them or offer a rewards scheme. This shouldn’t necessarily sway you too much, but it’s worth considering if it’s a close call.