Honest John Insurance

Best car insurance companies 2025

Looking for the best car insurance companies in the UK? Here are the top-ranking — and the worst — insurers on the market as voted by HonestJohn.co.uk readers.

  • We list the best car insurance companies for 2025
  • Insurance companies are rated by our readers
  • Find out the best — and worst — car insurers

Sorting out car insurance each year can feel like a hassle at the best of times with so many companies to choose from. Low prices may be attractive when household budgets are constrained but what about the overall experience — who are the most satisfying car insurers?

Each year we ask HonestJohn.co.uk readers to rate how their car insurance companies have performed as part of the Honest John Satisfaction Index.

By giving a rating for overall satisfaction, customer service and value for money, our readers' feedback means we can reveal the best car insurance companies that offer the most complete package. 

We'll also tell you the car insurers which received the lowest scores as a result of our readers' lived experiences with them.

There's good news in that the top 19 car insurers rated in the latest Honest John Satisfaction Index scored over 75% suggesting that high levels of satisfaction are available with a broad range of companies and not just the top few. If you want to find the best car insurance on the market, you've come to the right place.

Why has my car insurance premium gone up?

Best Car Insurance Companies 2025

If you're looking for the best car insurers then these are the leading firms to choose from. All were rated strongly by our readers and ranked highly for customer satisfaction and speed of service.

1. NFU Mutual

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 87.48%

Want the best car insurance in the UK? Top of the tree for the sixth year in succession is NFU Mutual, which achieved a highly impressive rating of 87.48% for overall satisfaction. It did so comfortably too, with a considerable margin over the second placed insurer of over 2%.

NFU Mutual certainly seems to have satisfied customers as according to the insurer, 9 out of 10 policies renew every year. It also says that it pays out on 99% of claims. In addition to car insurance it also offers specialist policies for motorhome and camper van insurance.

2. John Lewis Money

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 85.38%

Picking up the silver medal for the best car insurance in 2025 is John Lewis Money Car Insurance. John Lewis may not be one of the better known car insurers, but the name is strongly associated with excellent service in other aspects of retail so its position here shouldn't be too surprising. 

Included in the comprehensive Jhn Lewis Money Car Insurance package are legal liability protection, protected no claims discount if the claim involves a non-insured third party, a guaranteed courtesy car and a brand new replacement if your car's under a year old and is written off or stolen and unrecovered.

3. Dial Direct

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 83.16%

The final podium position for the best car insurance provider in the 2025 Honest John Satisfaction Index goes to Dial Direct. It's clearly performing well with our readers given the impressive score its garnered. Three levels of cover are offered — third party-only, third party, fire and theft with fully comprehensive at the top — with all including RAC breakdown cover.

Dial Direct's fully comprehensive package includes cover for vandalism including where windows are broken as well as up to £300 towards the cost of replacement child seats.

4. Sainsbury's Bank

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 81.72%

Sainsbury's Bank is another of the supermarket brands that has performed well when it comes to offering the best car insurance. Like most of the big insurers, it offers various levels of cover, including three levels of fully comprehensive cover — Essentials, Standard and Plus.

All levels include a courtesy car — although it's restricted to a three-door hatchback — along with cover for a replacement child seat and protection against uninsured drivers. If you want breakdown cover you need to choose Plus cover though.

5. Lloyds Bank

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 80.77%

Another familiar High Street name that diversified into car insurance is Lloyds Bank with the financial institution securing fifth place in the satisfaction rankings from HonestJohn.co.uk's readers in 2025. Lloyds offers the three familiar levels of car insurance which includes a courtesy car and a three-year guarantee on work undertaken as part of its Comphensive-level cover.

Given its high satisfaction score, it's interesting to note that features such as legal protection, cover for lost keys, no claims discount (NCD) protection and breakdown cover provided by the RAC are all extra-cost optional extras.

6. Saga

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 80.23%

Aimed exclusively at drivers aged 50 and over, Saga achieved an impressively high score with our readers, finishing sixth when it comes to the most satisfying car insurers. Saga states that in 2024 it paid out on 99.5% of its car insurance claims — an impressively high figure.

Saga offers three levels of car insurance cover, Saga Standard, Saga Select and Saga Plus. The latter comes with three year fixed price. You'll get a price for one year's cover but, because Saga fixes this for your next two renewals, as long as nothing changes, you'll pay the same price. Given the ever rising price of insurance, this looks very attractive.

7. General Accident

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 80.22%

General Accident's seventh place is impressive but take note that it missed out on being joint-sixth for overall satisfaction with our readers by just 0.01%. As well as its fully comprehensive policy, GA also offers third party, fire and theft protection but not much is covered with the latter policy.

Like Lloyds Bank's insurance packages, General Accident charges extra for legal cover, breakdown cover and lost keys, but its comprehensive policy does include glass repair or replacement, a courtesy car, lock replacements up to a value of £000 and a courtesy car.

8. Quote Me Happy

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 79.66%

While still one of the Top 10 car insurers when it comes to satisfaction according to our readership poll, Quote Me Happy has had a tumble from its lofty second position last time around. Nevertheless, any of the companies below it in the table would happily have its eighth place.

Quote Me Happy offers five levels of car insurance— Essentials, Plus, Plus with Roadside, Plus with Legal and Premier. All include protection against uninsured drivers and a small hatchback courtesy car, but you'll need Plus or higher for cover for windows only and personal belongings up to a value of £150.

9. LV=

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 78.63%

Previously called Liverpool Victoria — although that's not as trendy — LV= is one of the most recognised insurance companies thanks its frequent advertising campaigns. It's also one of the top 10 car insurers as voted for by HonestJohn.co.uk readers demonstrating that there's substance behind the marketing messages.

LV= also offers van insurance as well as multi-car policies for up to six cars and 12 drivers. Its car cover includes an uninsured driver promise, cover for all window repairs and replacements, as well as for lost keys and vandalism damage.

10. Direct Line

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 78.34%

Direct Line is well known for not being on comparison sites — if you want a car insurance quote from Direct Line you need to go straight to them. The company has been around for over 35 years and is one of the most well recognised car insurers as well as being rated highly by HonestJohn.co.uk's readers.

As well as the usual Essentials (third party, Fire and theft) and Comprehensive policies, Direct Line also offers Comprehensive Plus cover. This latter policy ups personal belongings cover from £250 to £500, personal accident cover from £5000 to £10,000 and a replacement new car if your current one is up to two years old.

Worst car insurance companies

Just as the feedback from HonestJohn.co.uk readers gives us the highest-rated insurers, it also provides us with an insight into the worst car insurance companies in 2025.

Here are the five insurers propping up the table:

1. Budget

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 68.33%

2025's worst car insurance company? According to our readers the answer is Budget giving it an overall satisfaction score of 68.33% in the Honest John Satisfaction Index.

What makes this a curious result is that Budget is part of BISL Ltd — as is Dial Direct that was voted as the third best. Both even have the same 4.4 TrustPilot score, albeit with different sets of customers rating them. Even the makeup of Budget's three policy options mirrors Dial Direct's but evidently our readers have had a much more satisfying experience with the latter.

2. Co-op

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 69.20%

Another insurer better known as a High Street brand, Co-op's car insurance was rated just above Budget by HonestJohn.co.uk readers in 2025.

Co-op offers two simple policies — comprehensive and third party, fire and theft — plus specialist policies for electric car insurance, van insurance and young driver insurance. You can also shave money off the cost of your insurance by becoming a Co-op Member, a scheme similar to Tesco's Clubcard.

3. Swinton

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 71.84%

Despite having over 65 years' experience in the insurance industry, our readers haven't been particularly impressed by Swinton, the result being it's finished third-last in the 2025 Satisfaction Index. It's possible that this may be linked to Swinton becoming the operators of the former More Than car insurance policies, with subsequent grumblings about how that was communicated with customers.

Swinton offers three grades of comprehensive insurance named Essentials, Classic and Premier, the latter including 14 days' of hire car use as well as cover for filling your car's tank with the wrong type of fuel.

4. Santander

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 72.00%

While the Spanish banking giant's retail operations across the UK are popular, coming fourth-last in our readers' rankings for its car insurance services will be disappointing with a rating of 72.00% for overall satisfaction.

The familiar three levels of cover are available, but even the fully comprehensive level of cover is on the basic side compared with rival insurers. For instance, while a courtesy car is listed as a policy benefit, whether you get access to one is subject to availability. Hardly going the extra mile in your moment of need.

5. Privilege

Car Insurance Satisfaction Score 72.86%

Fifth from bottom is a disappointing result for Privilege, one of the longest-established car insurers in the UK — evidently our readers felt the company needed to do more than it has to generate higher levels of customer satisfaction than merely existing for a long time.

Three policy levels are available topped by Privilege's Comprehensive Plus — that's the only one with a guaranteed courtesy or hire car and legal expenses cover.

Insurance FAQs

Who is considered the best car insurance company?

According to HonestJohn.co.uk's readers, NFU Mutual is the best car insurance company in the UK and has been the best-rated for six years in a row.

Rated highly for overall satisfaction but also value and customer service, NFU Mutual is continuing to deliver for its customers.

What type of car insurance is best UK?

Although a third party insurance policy can sometimes be a cheaper option, for peace of mind it is hard to recommend anything other than fully comprehensive.

It provides third party cover, as well as fire and theft, plus it ensures that should you be involved in an incident where you are at fault you can still make a claim and get back on the road as soon as possible.

Which comparison site is best for car insurance UK?

Rather than choosing one price comparison site, the best way to ensure you get the cheapest deal is to use as many as you can.

Compare The Market along with MoneySupeMarket and of course Confused.com are the main players and are used by millions of consumers for comparing car insurance.

It is also worth trying Gocompare and Quotezone. Even though they will search many of the same insurers for quotes, you may find that you get a different figure through different comparison sites, which is good news for you.

There are also some insurers that do not appear in comparison site searches such as Direct Line, so although it is another form to fill in you may end up getting a better deal.

What insurance group is my car?

Our handy tool shows you which car insurance group your car falls into.

What is a Cat S car?

A Cat S car is one that has been involved in an accident and has structural damage to its main framework beneath the bodywork. Often repaired, if you see one for sale they should be viewed with caution.

This is different from a Cat N car which has non-structural damage. This means that although the car has been damaged beyond the point of economic repair, the main structure isn’t compromised and it can be safely fixed and returned to the road. 

Insurance terminology

Insurance policies are complicated in every case and not always easy to understand fully. We'll guide you through the terminology and what it means to you. 

The Contract of Insurance

When you buy an insurance policy you are entering into a contract. The importance of this is that the insurer has agreed to cover you - based on what you have told them. Don't lie to insurance companies, as they may not pay out on your claim if you have not been truthful or omitted relevant details.

You may well find that your policy does not cover you under certain circumstances which are listed as part of the 'exclusions'.

A good example of how an exclusion can affect you is if you have bought your insurance on a price comparison site fully comprehensive, but did not include 'travelling to and from a place of work'. Your policy will be cheaper, but you would not be covered if you had an accident on the way to work.

If you are going to make a claim, you need to fully understand your policy and the way its is worded.

Fully comprehensive does not cover you for an alternative vehicle or other losses you may have as a result of the incident

Principle of Indemnity

This is very important. It is in fact the fundamental principle of insurance. In other words, this is what your insurance company promises to do.

The principle of indemnity is one where the insurance company promises to cover you for damage. So it;s imperative that you read your insurance policy. It will say you are indemnified 'up to' the market value. Remember this if you are dealing with a total loss vehicle, or if you do not want your car as a total loss.

You should be 'no better or worse off' due to a claim either 'financially' or through 'improvement' of your vehicle. In other words, you cannot claim for unrelated areas of damage, or a financial loss you have not had.

Third Party Fire and Theft

This does not cover you for any damage to your vehicle other than by way of fire, theft or vandalism. But it does cover you for any damage to property or injury you may have caused.

Fully Comprehensive Insurance

This covers your for accidental damage to your vehicle whether caused by yourself, as long as not 'wilfully done' (if you have caused the damage on purpose) and also covers damage by a third party.

This 'may' cover you for damage from weather. Such as floods, wind and hailstones, unless they are specifically excluded from your policy. Though most insurance companies will exclude on your policy what they perceive as acts of God. So it is at their discretion.

Fully comprehensive does not cover you for an alternative vehicle or other losses you may have as a result of the incident. These are called 'uninsured losses' and you would need either legal cover on your policy or have a solicitor pursue these losses on your behalf. As with third party fire and theft, it does cover you for any claim against you.

Exclusions

This is what you are not covered for. And it's why you need to carefully read your insurance policy. You need to do this before you buy to ensure it meets your demands and needs. You need to see what is not covered as much as when something is.

An exclusion could be anything from not being covered to use the vehicle on a track day, road racing, testing or a sprint event. Or it could be you have decided not to cover commuting. It is very important you read what is not covered in the event of a claim.

Modifications

Your insurance company will ask you to declare all modifications. The way your insurance company views a modification is anything that your vehicle did not come with from the manufacturer.

You can not imply you did not know it was a modification, as ignorance is no defence of the law. You have agreed to it in your contract of insurance.

So prior to insurance always declare any modifications. If you have a £2000 set of alloy wheels on your vehicle, do not expect your insurance company to replace them should one become damaged if you have not made them aware.

Often you will find insurance companies will not apply any additional loading on a policy for up to three minor modifications. So it is in your interest to make them aware. Do not give them any excuse not to pay.

If your car has options that came from the manufacturer, that's different. Find out what they are, as they may make your vehicle worth more.

What is an insurance excess?

Excess is the first part of the claim you have agreed to pay. This should only be applied to claims on your own vehicles and not claims against you. These come under the following titles.

Statutory or Compulsory Excess

This is the lowest excess on your policy you can pay. It forms the basis of how the insurer underwrites the policy so the higher this excess, the higher the risk they attach to it.

Voluntary Excess

This is the amount you have volunteered to pay in addition to the compulsory excess, so the two are added together.

The higher the voluntary excess, the lower the premium will be. Make sure you can afford to pay it in the event of an accident.

Young Driver Excess

If you are a young driver — someone under 25 — you may well find this excess applied. This also is added to the Compulsory Excess. Check the policy, as your insurer may advise they add all three together.

In addition, there are products available you can use to 'insure' your excess, that way you do not have to pay it if you have an accident. You can also get a lower premium by having a higher excess, saving many hundreds of pounds, so it makes sense to insure it.

What is an uninsured loss?

Uninsured losses are the things that are not covered by your insurance as a result of an accident. These include your excess, loss of use, the cost of arranging an alternative vehicle and for personal injuries.

When you took out your policy, you may have purchased something called legal assistance. This allows you to claim for the things above that are not covered by your contract of  insurance.

Aside from the above, there are many other things that are seen in court as being 'reasonable' to claim for as a uninsured loss.

For example, if you arrange for a taxi or get the bus rather than hire a vehicle, you can be offered compensation for loss of use, even if you have not hired another vehicle.

If your vehicle is a total loss, it would be deemed 'reasonable' for you to carry out appropriate checks on your future vehicle.

If you do not have legal assistance, you may need seek the services of a solicitor or a claims management company to claim these uninsured losses back for you.

There are changes proposed which will affect your legal rights to representation meaning that you may well have to pay for your own legal fees. This is why we suggest from this year, always paying for additional legal assistance cover if you can afford it.