The average UK comprehensive car insurance premium was £566 in Q2 2026, according to the Association of British Insurers. The largest motor insurers include Admiral, Aviva and Direct Line, and independent reviewer Defaqto awards its top five star rating to policies from LV=, Aviva, Direct Line, AXA, RAC and the AA among others.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 30 AUGUST 2026
- Average premium paid was £566 in Q2 2026, up £6 on the quarter (ABI).
- Admiral is the largest UK car insurer, covering around 5.7 million vehicles.
- Direct Line, Churchill and NFU Mutual sell direct and do not appear on comparison sites.
Major UK car insurers, group ownership and Defaqto ratings
| Insurer | Group or brands | Telematics option | Published note |
| Admiral | Owns Bell, Diamond, Elephant | LittleBox | Largest UK car insurer, around 5.7m vehicles |
| Aviva | Owns By Miles | By Miles pay per mile | UK's largest general insurer; Defaqto 5 star policy |
| Direct Line | Direct Line Group | DrivePlus | Sold direct only; Defaqto 5 star policy |
| Churchill | Direct Line Group | None listed | Sold direct; no claims discount protection standard |
| LV= | Allianz owned | None listed | Defaqto 5 star for 22 consecutive years |
| Hastings Direct | Hastings Group | YouDrive | Premier and Direct policies Defaqto 5 star; Essential 2 star |
| AXA | AXA UK | None listed | Defaqto 5 star policy |
| NFU Mutual | NFU Mutual | None listed | Sold direct; noted for claims service |
| RAC | RAC | None listed | Defaqto 5 star; bundles with breakdown |
| AA | AA | None listed | Defaqto 5 star; bundles with breakdown |
Source: Defaqto product ratings and insurer group data, 2026
KEY FACTS
- Average premium paid: £566 (ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker, Q2 2026), up £6 on the previous quarter.
- Admiral covers around 5.7 million vehicles across Admiral, Bell, Diamond and Elephant.
- LV= has held a Defaqto 5 star rating for 22 consecutive years (Defaqto).
- Insurance Premium Tax is 12 per cent, so roughly £60 of a £566 policy is tax (GOV.UK).
- Average accidental damage claim: £3,699 in Q1 2026, up 8 per cent in a single quarter (ABI).
UK car insurance averages, latest published readings
| Measure | Figure | Source and period |
| Average premium paid (comprehensive) | £566 | ABI Tracker, Q2 2026 |
| Average premium quoted (all ages) | £719 | Confused.com/WTW, Q2 2026 |
| Average quoted, 17 year old | £1,695 | Confused.com/WTW, Q2 2026 |
| Highest regional average | around £1,088 (inner London) | Confused.com, Q2 2026 |
| Lowest regional average | around £480 (South West) | Confused.com, Q2 2026 |
| Insurance Premium Tax (standard rate) | 12 per cent | GOV.UK, 2026 |
Source: ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker and Confused.com Price Index (WTW), Q2 2026
The major UK car insurers
The named providers above account for most of the UK market. Admiral is the largest car insurer, covering around 5.7 million vehicles through Admiral, Bell, Diamond and Elephant, and its multi car policy covers up to five vehicles at one address. Aviva is the largest general insurer and also owns By Miles for pay per mile cover. Direct Line, Churchill and NFU Mutual sell only direct, so they never appear on comparison sites and must be quoted separately. LV= is owned by Allianz and has held a Defaqto five star rating for 22 consecutive years.
What the Defaqto rating means
Defaqto is an independent reviewer of financial products. Its five star rating denotes a policy with a comprehensive range of features and benefits, judged on the cover itself rather than price. In 2026 Defaqto raised its standards, and policies from LV=, Aviva, Direct Line, AXA, RAC and the AA carry the five star mark, while a single insurer can hold different ratings across its policy tiers: Hastings Direct rates five stars on its Premier and Direct policies but two stars on its Essential cover. Rating is separate from claims service and from price.
What the market costs right now
The ABI tracker reports premiums actually paid across roughly 28 million policies and stood at £566 for Q2 2026, up £6 on the quarter. The Confused.com index, powered by WTW, reports the cheapest quote offered and sat higher at £719. Claims inflation is the main pressure: the average accidental damage claim reached £3,699 in Q1 2026, up 8 per cent in one quarter. On top of the risk price sits Insurance Premium Tax at 12 per cent.
How age and region change the figure
Averages hide a wide spread. The quoted average for a 17 year old was £1,695 in Q2 2026, while older drivers with long no claims records sit well below the headline. Inner London quotes ran near £1,088 against roughly £480 in the South West. Postcode risk, annual mileage, vehicle insurance group and claims history move an individual price more than any single provider choice, which is why comparing quotes across several of the named insurers matters.
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DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Figures were correct at the last review date shown above; verify current rates and rules with the primary sources listed below before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the largest car insurer in the UK
Admiral is the largest UK car insurer, covering around 5.7 million vehicles through its Admiral, Bell, Diamond and Elephant brands.
Which car insurers do not appear on comparison sites
Direct Line, Churchill and NFU Mutual sell only direct, so their quotes must be obtained from the insurer rather than a comparison site.
What is a Defaqto 5 star rating
It is an independent rating denoting a policy with a comprehensive range of features and benefits, based on the cover rather than the price. LV=, Aviva, Direct Line, AXA, RAC and the AA hold it on named policies.
What is the average car insurance cost in 2026
The average comprehensive premium paid was £566 in Q2 2026 according to the ABI, up £6 on the previous quarter.
Is comprehensive cover more expensive than third party
Not necessarily. Comprehensive cover is frequently priced similarly to or below third party only, so compare actual quotes rather than assuming the tier order matches the price order.
SOURCES
- ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker, Q2 2026 – accessed 30 August 2026
- Defaqto Star Ratings – accessed 30 August 2026
- GOV.UK: Insurance Premium Tax rates – accessed 30 August 2026
