esure Car Insurance Review UK 2026: KT Score 65/100

Last reviewed: June 2026

esure Car Insurance: Policy Overview

esure comprehensive car insurance holds a Defaqto 5-star rating, placing it in the highest tier of independently assessed motor policies. The standard comprehensive policy includes a courtesy car while the policyholder's vehicle is being repaired via an esure approved repairer, windscreen and glass cover, uninsured driver promise (protecting the no-claims discount if hit by an uninsured driver), and 24-hour claims line.

Optional extras include breakdown cover, motor legal protection, key cover and enhanced courtesy car. EU cover extends to 90 days per trip as standard on comprehensive policies. The policy is available through esure's direct channel at esure.com and on all four major comparison sites.

esure's Approved Repairer Network

esure operates its own approved repairer network for motor claims. Using an approved repairer triggers the courtesy car entitlement and the esure repair guarantee on work carried out. Total loss claims are settled at market value using glass guide assessments. esure's claims operation is supported by Zurich's reinsurance capacity following the 2021 partnership.

FOS Data: The Key Risk

FOS annual data for 2022/23 showed esure's complaint uphold rate above the sector average of 38%. This is the single most significant quality risk in the esure assessment. It means that complaints which escalated to ombudsman stage were found in policyholders' favour more often at esure than at better-performing peers including Admiral (34%), LV= and Aviva (both below sector average). Buyers weighing esure's competitive pricing against quality indicators should weight the FOS metric accordingly.

esure vs Competitors

Sheila's Wheels vs esure on Comparison Sites

Both esure and Sheila's Wheels may appear in the same comparison site results for a female driver. The underlying policy is the same esure product under the same FCA registration. Pricing may differ between the two brand listings for the same driver profile, so comparing both is worthwhile when running a comparison site quote. Policyholders should check the exact policy terms for each listing to confirm cover equivalence before selecting on price.

Annual vs Monthly Payment

esure car insurance can be paid annually or monthly via a regulated credit agreement. Monthly payment attracts a credit charge at an annual percentage rate disclosed at point of sale. Annual payment eliminates the credit charge. esure's monthly payment terms are subject to FCA consumer credit rules and the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

esure vs Sheila's Wheels: Which Quote to Accept

When both esure and Sheila's Wheels appear in comparison site results for the same female driver, the practical question is which quote to accept. The underlying policy and claims infrastructure are identical. If Sheila's Wheels prices lower for the same cover level, choosing Sheila's Wheels is appropriate. If esure prices lower, the same logic applies. The brand name on the policy document does not affect the claims process or FCA authorisation, both of which run through the same esure Insurance Limited entity.

For buyers comparing esure against other Defaqto 5-star offers on comparison sites, the FOS uphold rate above sector average is the single most important quality signal to weigh against any pricing advantage esure holds for a specific driver profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is esure car insurance Defaqto 5-star?

Yes. esure comprehensive car insurance holds a Defaqto 5-star rating. This is the highest tier in the Defaqto independent quality assessment. Note that the FOS complaint uphold rate above sector average is a separate quality indicator that Defaqto ratings do not capture.

Does esure car insurance include a courtesy car?

Yes. esure comprehensive includes a courtesy car while the insured vehicle is being repaired through esure's approved repairer network. The entitlement does not apply if repair is carried out by a non-approved garage.

Is Sheila's Wheels the same as esure?

Sheila's Wheels is a trading name of esure Insurance Limited (FCA FRN 203786). Both brands are underwritten by the same entity with the same claims infrastructure. Pricing may differ between the two brand listings on comparison sites for the same driver profile.

Does esure appear on comparison sites?

Yes. esure appears on all four major UK comparison sites: MoneySuperMarket, GoCompare, Compare the Market and Confused.com. Sheila's Wheels also appears separately on the same platforms.

How does esure's FOS record compare to Admiral?

FOS annual data for 2022/23 shows Admiral with a 34% uphold rate, well below the sector average of 38%. esure was above the sector average. This means Admiral's complaint handling aligns more closely with FOS expectations than esure's on a proportional basis.