What The Latest £619 Average Means
The index uses a random sample of more than 100,000 UK policies quoted through a comparison service. The Q2 2026 average can be useful, but it also hides large differences. South West England averaged £479.85, while London averaged £833.03. Across age bands, the figures ran from £431.48 to £1,099.57.
Data source: Quotezone Car Insurance Price Index, Q2 2026. The quarter covers April to June 2026. Figures were checked on 10 July 2026 and presented by Clean Green Cars.
This index is based on live quotes, so it measures prices offered rather than the amount customers eventually paid. The ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker recorded £560 in Q1 2026 using prices paid across policies sold. The two figures cover different periods and use different methods, so they aren't a like-for-like comparison.
How Average Car Insurance Prices Moved
The quarterly timeline below compares the same series from Q2 2023 to Q2 2026. It shows the late-2023 peak, the overall fall through 2024 and 2025, and the latest rise from £579.52 to £619.01.
Wider claims costs may help explain why insurers remain cautious, but they don't prove what caused this particular quarterly change. The ABI reported £1.9 billion of vehicle repair payouts in Q1 2026, up 3% on the previous quarter, while the average accidental damage claim rose 8% to £3,699.
The figures show what changed, rather than why. The separate guide to why car insurance can be expensive explains the wider pricing pressures.
Quarterly UK Average
Annual premium, Q2 2023 to Q2 2026
Quarterly Data Table
| Quarter | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Q2 2023 | £717.24 |
| Q3 2023 | £808.74 |
| Q4 2023 | £885.21 |
| Q1 2024 | £816.64 |
| Q2 2024 | £806.64 |
| Q3 2024 | £770.78 |
| Q4 2024 | £769.19 |
| Q1 2025 | £651.25 |
| Q2 2025 | £664.68 |
| Q3 2025 | £591.57 |
| Q4 2025 | £607.50 |
| Q1 2026 | £579.52 |
| Q2 2026 | £619.01 |
Average Car Insurance Cost By UK Region
Location creates one of the clearest gaps in the Q2 data. The regional ladder below ranks all 12 areas and marks the £619 UK average, so you can see which regional figures sit above or below it.
Your own address is more specific than a broad region. The car insurance by location page explains how to compare using your actual postcode and details.
Regional Price Ladder
Average annual premium, Q2 2026
Regional Data Table
| Region | Average Annual Premium | Against UK Average |
|---|---|---|
| London | £833.03 | £214.02 above |
| West Midlands | £690.91 | £71.90 above |
| Northern Ireland | £664.26 | £45.25 above |
| Yorkshire | £615.66 | £3.35 below |
| North West England | £610.40 | £8.61 below |
| East Midlands | £578.19 | £40.82 below |
| South East England | £553.80 | £65.21 below |
| East of England | £553.51 | £65.50 below |
| Scotland | £530.54 | £88.47 below |
| North East England | £518.89 | £100.12 below |
| Wales | £501.12 | £117.89 below |
| South West England | £479.85 | £139.16 below |
Average Car Insurance Cost By Age
The age figures have a wider spread than the regional results. The chart below compares all five age groups on one scale. It starts at £1,099.57 for ages 17 to 24 and ends at £431.48 for drivers aged 65 and over.
The car insurance by age group page gives each life stage more context. Drivers under 25 can use the separate young driver car insurance comparison page.
Age-Band Comparison
Average annual premium, Q2 2026
Age-Band Data Table
| Age Group | Average Annual Premium | Against UK Average |
|---|---|---|
| 17-24 | £1,099.57 | £480.56 above |
| 25-34 | £844.83 | £225.82 above |
| 35-44 | £656.12 | £37.11 above |
| 45-64 | £477.45 | £141.56 below |
| 65+ | £431.48 | £187.53 below |
What These Averages Don't Tell You
An average is a useful sense-check, but it isn't a target price. Your own quote may sit above or below these figures. Insurers can price the driver, car, address, mileage, use, claims, cover and excess in different ways.
Vehicle type can also change the comparison. Drivers using a battery-powered car can check the dedicated electric car insurance page rather than relying on the all-car average alone.
How To Use The Figures Before Comparing
The useful step is to keep your own details consistent. Use the checks below to compare like with like, rather than trying to make one quote match the national average.
Compare Like With Like
Keep the main quote details consistent
Keep The Start Date Fixed
Changing the start date can make two quotes hard to compare.
Use Realistic Mileage
Enter the annual distance you genuinely expect to drive.
Match The Cover Level
Compare the same cover, excess and optional features.
Check The Total Cost
Monthly payments may include interest or finance charges.
Susan's note: Treat the averages as a sense-check, not a price to aim for. A fair comparison uses the same driver, car, cover, excess and start date each time.
When you are ready to compare your own figures, start with car insurance and keep the same driver, vehicle and cover details across each quote.
FAQs
What Is The Average Car Insurance Cost In The UK In 2026?
The index recorded an average annual premium of £619.01 in Q2 2026. It was based on a random sample of more than 100,000 UK policies.
Which UK Region Has The Lowest Average Car Insurance Cost?
South West England had the lowest regional average in the Q2 2026 figures at £479.85 per year.
Which UK Region Has The Highest Average Car Insurance Cost?
London had the highest regional average in the Q2 2026 figures at £833.03 per year.
What Is The Average Car Insurance Cost By Age?
Q2 2026 averages ranged from £1,099.57 for ages 17 to 24 to £431.48 for drivers aged 65 and over. Your own quote could still be higher or lower.
Are These Figures Monthly Car Insurance Payments?
No. They are annual premium averages. The month-by-month figures group annual quotes by renewal month. They aren't monthly instalments.
Why Might My Quote Be Different From The UK Average?
Your quote may reflect your car, age, postcode, mileage, use, claims history, cover level and excess. Different insurers may also price the same details differently.
