Compare the Market Car Insurance Review UK 2026: Is the Meerkat Worth It?

Last reviewed: June 2026

Using Compare the Market for Car Insurance

Compare the Market's car insurance comparison covers a panel of 50 or more insurers and returns price-ranked results with Defaqto star ratings, excess information and key policy features. The quote form and results page are broadly comparable to GoCompare and MoneySuperMarket in function. The primary reason to choose Compare the Market over other platforms is the Meerkat rewards programme available on qualifying purchases.

Results are sorted by price (cheapest first) by default. Sponsored positions may appear at the top and are identified as such. Users can filter by minimum Defaqto star rating, specific features and insurer. The filtering tools allow buyers to narrow from a price-ranked list to a quality-filtered shortlist efficiently.

The Meerkat Rewards: Practical Value Assessment

Meerkat Movies provides two-for-one cinema tickets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Vue, Cineworld, Odeon and other participating chains for 12 months following a qualifying car or home insurance purchase. A typical cinema ticket costs 10-15 pounds; two-for-one saves 5-7 pounds per visit. For a household that visits the cinema twice a month, the annual Meerkat Movies saving is approximately 120-168 pounds -- potentially more than any price difference between Compare the Market and another comparison site for the same insurance policy.

Meerkat Meals provides two-for-one meals at participating restaurants on Sundays to Thursdays. Participating restaurant groups include Pizza Express, Zizzi, ASK Italian and others. The practical value of Meerkat Meals depends entirely on how frequently the policyholder uses participating restaurants. For regular restaurant users, the combined Meerkat Movies and Meerkat Meals saving can be substantial relative to the car insurance premium itself.

Panel Coverage vs GoCompare and MoneySuperMarket

Compare the Market's car insurance panel broadly overlaps with GoCompare and MoneySuperMarket. The same major brands -- Admiral, Aviva, LV=, AXA, Hastings Direct, Churchill, esure and Policy Expert -- appear across all three platforms. The specific pricing for a given driver profile may vary between platforms due to insurer channel- specific pricing calibrations. Running Compare the Market alongside one other comparison site maximises the probability of capturing the cheapest available price.

Compare the Market vs the Four Platforms

Sponsored Results: What to Watch

Compare the Market's results page may include sponsored positions at the top, which are paid placements by insurers seeking enhanced visibility. FCA rules require these to be clearly identified and distinguished from organic price-ranked results. Buyers should verify whether the top-listed result is a sponsored position or the genuinely cheapest organic result before proceeding. The sponsored designation is displayed on the results page adjacent to the relevant listing.

When Meerkat Rewards Don't Add Value

The Meerkat rewards add value only if the buyer actually uses cinema and restaurant offers. For buyers who rarely visit the cinema or participating restaurants, the Meerkat programme provides little practical benefit, and Compare the Market's decision should rest on panel coverage and pricing rather than the rewards. In this case, GoCompare or MoneySuperMarket are equally valid alternatives with no rewards premium built into insurer CPA fees.

Compare the Market and the FCA Consumer Duty

The FCA's Consumer Duty (effective July 2023) requires Compare the Market to demonstrate that its products and services deliver good outcomes for consumers. In the context of the Meerkat rewards programme, this means Compare the Market must evidence that the rewards do not incentivise consumers to purchase unsuitable insurance policies in exchange for entertainment benefits. The FCA's expectation is that the core insurance comparison function delivers good consumer outcomes independently of any rewards programme layered on top. Compare the Market's FCA authorisation under FRN 414050 means this obligation is actively supervised. For consumers, this provides assurance that the Meerkat rewards are structured as an add-on benefit rather than a mechanism that compromises the quality of the insurance comparison itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Compare the Market good for car insurance?

Compare the Market is a well-regulated comparison site covering 50+ car insurers. Its primary differentiator is the Meerkat rewards programme. For buyers who use cinema and restaurant offers, Meerkat adds meaningful value. For pure price comparison, it is broadly equivalent to GoCompare and MoneySuperMarket.

How do I get Meerkat rewards?

Meerkat Movies and Meerkat Meals are available to buyers who purchase car or home insurance through Compare the Market. After a qualifying purchase, rewards are activated through the Compare the Market app. The rewards remain active for 12 months following the qualifying purchase.

Does Compare the Market show Defaqto ratings?

Yes. Compare the Market displays Defaqto star ratings alongside the premium in its car insurance results. Users can filter results by minimum Defaqto star rating to apply a quality floor to price-ranked results.

Is Compare the Market the cheapest comparison site?

No comparison site is consistently cheapest for all drivers. The same insurer may price differently across platforms. Running Compare the Market alongside one other comparison site is the most reliable way to identify the cheapest available price across combined panels.

Does Compare the Market include all UK car insurers?

Compare the Market covers 50+ car insurers but does not include all UK providers. Direct Line does not appear on Compare the Market or any comparison site. A direct quote from directline.com is required to include Direct Line in any comparison.