★ TL;DR
TL;DR: AXA Insurance UK plc (FRN 202312) is the UK arm of AXA S.A., one of the world's largest insurance groups by total assets. In the UK, AXA sells motor insurance via brokers and aggregators rather than a heavily promoted direct channel. Average UK premiums stand at £622 (ABI Q4 2025). This review covers FCA registration, cover tiers, key inclusions and exclusions, and how AXA compares against Admiral and Aviva.
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026
AXA Insurance UK plc: FCA status and group structure
AXA Insurance UK plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under Firm Reference Number 202312. Confirm current registration at the FCA Register. The UK entity is a subsidiary of AXA S.A., a French multinational headquartered in Paris with approximately €1.1 trillion in assets under management globally.
AXA operates in the UK motor market primarily through insurance broker channels and comparison aggregators rather than through a high-profile direct consumer brand. Many consumers encounter AXA as an underwriter named on a policy arranged via a BIBA-registered broker (BIBA).
The UK motor market includes approximately 110 FCA-authorised motor insurers (FCA Register 2026). AXA's UK motor book forms part of its wider property and casualty operations.
Cover tiers available from AXA
AXA's consumer-facing motor products are structured as: Third Party Only, Third Party Fire & Theft, and Comprehensive. A Select product with enhanced inclusions is available in some broker channels.
Third Party Only meets the Road Traffic Act 1988, section 143 minimum. TPFT adds fire and theft cover. AXA Comprehensive includes accidental damage, windscreen cover, personal accident cover, EU cover, and a 24-hour emergency claims line.
AXA's Select tier (available via broker) adds motor legal expenses cover up to £100,000, guaranteed hire car, and enhanced personal accident. The availability of Select depends on the broker relationship, it is not universally available via all comparison sites.
AXA premiums: where it sits in the market
The UK market average stood at £622 in Q4 2025 (ABI 2025). AXA prices competitively for mid-risk profiles, particularly through broker channels where volume discounts are negotiated at the scheme level. Direct-channel pricing may differ.
Insurance Premium Tax at 12% (HMRC, gov.uk) is embedded in all consumer-facing premiums. Drivers aged 17-20 face an average £1,539 across the market (ABI 2025). The cheapest age band remains 50-65 at an average £393.
AXA does not operate a direct telematics programme for private motor via its main UK consumer brand. Approximately 1.5 million UK drivers hold telematics policies (BIBA 2025), predominantly through specialist providers.
What AXA includes and excludes
Standard AXA Comprehensive inclusions: windscreen cover (no excess for repair), EU cover (up to 90 days), personal accident (up to £5,000 for driver and spouse/partner), in-car entertainment cover (up to £500 for OEM-fitted equipment), 24-hour emergency claims line.
Not included as standard on AXA Comprehensive: motor legal expenses, breakdown cover, key cover, and protected NCD. These are available as optional extras through broker channels.
Exclusions across all AXA tiers: damage arising from use not permitted under the policy (e.g. hire and reward driving without the relevant extension), war and nuclear risk (standard market exclusion), wear and tear, mechanical or electrical failure not caused by an insured event.
See the car insurance hub for a full breakdown of standard UK policy inclusions and exclusions.
Pros and cons
| ✓ Pros | ✗ Cons |
|---|---|
✓ AXA's underwriting capacity and reinsurance arrangements give it financial resilience. For businesses and commercial operators, AXA's fleet and commercial vehicle products are available alongside private motor, making it a viable single-insurer option for sole traders with mixed-use vehicles. ✓ AXA's claims handling for comprehensive policyholders is managed via an in-house network of approved repairers, which BIBA identifies as associated with consistent repair quality and guaranteed workmanship. | ✗ AXA is less prominent as a direct consumer brand than Admiral or Direct Line, which means some consumers may not proactively seek it out for a direct quote. Without a direct price-comparison channel presence on all panels, some drivers may not see AXA's pricing when using aggregators. Always request a direct quote from axa.co.uk alongside any aggregator search. ✗ Customer complaint data is available via AXA's annual RMAR returns to the FCA. Complaints per 1,000 policies should be compared against Admiral and Aviva when assessing service quality. |
AXA vs Admiral vs Aviva: named comparison
| Feature | AXA | Admiral | Aviva |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRN | 202312 | 148028 | 202153 |
| Direct consumer brand | Moderate | Strong | Strong |
| Telematics (direct) | No | No | No |
| Motor legal standard | Select only | Platinum only | Comp Plus only |
| Breakdown cover | Add-on (broker) | Add-on | Add-on (RAC) |
| Multi-car discount | No | Yes | No |
| Broker channel | Yes (primary) | No | Limited |
Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXA FRN | 202312 | FCA Register | 2026 |
| UK avg premium Q4 2025 | £622 | ABI | Q4 2025 |
| 2024 peak | £741 | ABI | 2025 |
| YoY fall | 16% | ABI | Q4 2025 |
| Avg 17-20 yr-old premium | £1,539 | ABI | 2025 |
| Avg 50-65 yr-old premium | £393 | ABI | 2025 |
| IPT rate | 12% | HMRC / gov.uk | 2026 |
| Total UK claims paid 2024 | £11.1bn | ABI | 2025 |
| Daily UK motor claims payout | £30.4m | ABI | 2025 |
| UK telematics holders | ~1.5 million | BIBA | 2025 |
| FCA-authorised motor insurers | ~110 | FCA Register | 2026 |
| Total UK motor policies | ~30 million | ABI | 2025 |
✓ Editorial Process
How we verified this
AXA Insurance UK plc's FCA status was confirmed via register.fca.org.uk (FRN 202312). Cover details are drawn from AXA's published policy documents as of April 2026. Premium benchmarks reference ABI Q4 2025 data. This article was last fact-checked on 25 April 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is AXA car insurance available directly?
AXA motor insurance is available directly via axa.co.uk and through broker and aggregator channels. The Select product with enhanced inclusions is primarily available through broker arrangements.
What is AXA's FCA Firm Reference Number?
AXA Insurance UK plc's FRN is 202312. Confirm current authorisation at register.fca.org.uk.
Does AXA offer telematics motor insurance?
AXA does not currently offer a dedicated telematics product for private motor via its main UK consumer brand. Young drivers seeking black-box or app-based pricing should explore specialist providers.
What excess applies on AXA Comprehensive?
AXA sets a compulsory excess based on individual risk profile. The voluntary excess is set by the policyholder. The sum of compulsory and voluntary excess is the amount payable when making a claim for your own vehicle damage.
Is AXA car insurance underwritten in the UK?
Yes. AXA Insurance UK plc (FRN 202312) underwrites motor policies in the UK and is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA.
Sources & Verification
- FCA Register, AXA Insurance UK plc (FRN 202312): https://register.fca.org.uk
- ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker Q4 2025: https://www.abi.org.uk
- BIBA Motor Insurance: https://www.biba.org.uk
- HMRC IPT: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/insurance-premium-tax
- Road Traffic Act 1988 s.143: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify rates with official sources before making any financial decision.
