Average UK Car Insurance Cost (2026)

Last updated: July 2026 · Next update: October 2026 · Methodology ↓

UK car insurance rose to £619 a year in Q2 2026

How much is car insurance in the UK?

The month that your car insurance renewal is due will impact how much you pay. For example, people renewing in January of 2026 were quoted an average of £25 less than those who renewed in March 2026. 

After a long run of falling prices, average premiums rose again in Q2 2026, up 6.8% (around £39) on Q1. It was the first quarterly increase since the 2023 peak. 

Are car insurance prices coming down?

After car insurance prices rose an eye-watering 42% in 2023, many UK drivers understandably demanded to know why car insurance was so expensive.

Car insurance costs fell through 2025 and into early 2026, but rose again in Q2 2026, up 6.8% on the previous quarter. It is the first significant quarterly increase since the 2023 peak, with rising claims costs and more expensive vehicle repairs and technology among the causes.

Which UK region has the cheapest car insurance?

In Q2 2026, the UK area with the highest car insurance cost is London, with an average of £833. People here pay an average of £214 more than the national average of £619. Northern Ireland drivers pay the third-highest premium at £664. Every UK region rose over the quarter, with Yorkshire seeing the steepest increase (6.7%), Northern Ireland close behind (6.4%) and the South West the smallest (2%).

South West England has the cheapest average car insurance cost at £480. This is around £139 below the £619 national average and £353 less than London.

The region paying premiums that are the closest to the national average is Yorkshire. Here, the average premium cost for car insurance is £616.

Car insurance cost statistics across the UK regions

How does UK car insurance cost change by age group?

How much is car insurance for a new driver in the UK?

New drivers typically sit in the 17–24 band, which paid an average price of £1,099 for car insurance in Q2 2026, virtually unchanged on Q1. Around £481 more than the UK average of £619. Telematics and black-box policies often bring new-driver prices down by pricing cover based on actual driving behaviour rather than age alone. (Quotezone Car Insurance Price Index, Q2 2026)

How much does car insurance cost for over 70s and over 80s in the UK?

Drivers aged 65 and over pay the lowest average car insurance price of any UK age group at £431 per year. Around £188 below the national average of £619. Prices in the 80+ bracket vary considerably as accidents can be more frequent and more severe for this older age group, who often have increasing medical conditions. (Quotezone Car Insurance Price Index, Q2 2026)

How much is car insurance per month in the UK?

According to the most recent statistics, Q2 2026, average car insurance premiums in the UK have risen by nearly £40 in the past three months. The average annual premium increased from £579 in the first quarter of 2026 to £619 in Q2 – a rise of £39.49 (6.8%).

Every UK region recorded a rise over the quarter, with Yorkshire seeing the steepest increase (6.7%), closely followed by Northern Ireland (6.4%), while the South West experienced the smallest rise of just 2%.

Young driver insurance maintains 10 year low in 2026

However, there is some good news for 17-24 year olds in 2026. Data shows that premiums for young drivers have dropped to their lowest in 10 years in Q4 of 2025, with the most recent averages resting at £1,099, virtually unchanged since Q1 2026 even as every other age group rose.

These new drivers are experiencing a slash in prices across the board, with costs in half of UK regions now below £1,000. 

The average regional car insurance cost in the UK by age

Young drivers have the highest average premiums across every UK region. In London, drivers aged 17-24 could pay £1,362 a year for car insurance. That’s 134% more than older drivers, who pay around £583.

This trend is true even for the areas that have cheaper car insurance costs. Young drivers in Scotland pay an average of £578 more than 65+ year-olds.

How much is car insurance for a 17, 18 or 19 year old in the UK?

London remains the most expensive region for young drivers aged 17, with average premiums of £2,928 – more than £1,220 higher than Wales (£1,708), the cheapest region for 17-year-olds. Several high-population regions, such as the West Midlands and Yorkshire, also show higher costs for new drivers, underlining how your location can impact pricing.

How much is car insurance by Northern Ireland district council?

Across the 11 NI district council areas, the Q2 2026 average premium ranges from £599 in Ards & North Down (the cheapest) to £902 in Belfast City Council (the most expensive). A spread of £303. The NI overall average is £664, putting it third highest of all UK regions. (Quotezone Car Insurance Price Index, Q2 2026)

How much is car insurance for a 17, 18 or 19 year old in Northern Ireland?

Young driver premiums in Northern Ireland vary widely by district. For an 18-year-old, the average annual price ranges from £1,554 in Mid & East Antrim to £2,406 in Belfast City Council. (Quotezone Car Insurance Price Index, Q2 2026)

Ready to compare your renewal against the current market? Compare car insurance quotes on Quotezone. We search over 130 UK insurance providers in one go.

How the Quotezone Car Insurance Price Index is compiled

Our team of insurance comparison experts at Quotezone have done the research to give you the latest data on car insurance prices in 2026.

These statistics come from an unbiased random sample of over 100,000 quotes from real UK customers using our comparison system.

Our car insurance price index gives the average cost of UK-wide car insurance premiums separated by age group and month to allow consistent comparisons of data over time.

Find out what you could pay with real UK car insurance cost data and our car insurance price calculator.

References
*Quotezone.co.uk – All data shown uses a random sample of over 100,000 UK car insurance policies from January 2023 – June 2026, across all age groups.

Want more info on this price index?

If you need to get in touch with our press team to discuss this price index or any historical data, please email press@quotezone.co.uk.  For more insurance cost data, see our home insurance price index and van insurance price index.

If you are ready to start comparing insurance policies, then Quotezone is here to help – we can help you compare over 130 UK-based insurance companies. Over 97% of reviewers recommend Quotezone for comparing insurance quotes.

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.