LONDON, June 24 2026 — Comprehensive car insurance premiums have increased by 1% (£8) during the last three months[1] with UK motorists now paying £719 on average, according to the latest Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index in association with WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company.
Since motor insurance prices peaked at £995 in December 2023, prices had steadily decreased for nine consecutive quarters. However, the rate of price deflation has slowed significantly in 2026, with rises in three out of the first five months of the year: May (0.3%), April (2.3%) and February (0.4%).
“If these cost trends persist, market profitability will come under even greater strain without premium increases over the remainder of 2026.Tim RourkeEMEA P&C Leader, Insurance Consulting and Technology
While the data shows a price rise between March and May this year, car insurance premiums still recorded an annual fall of 5% (£38), with prices decreasing from £757 to £719, according to the longest established and most comprehensive car insurance price index in the UK. The index is based on price data compiled from over six million customer quotes per quarter.
Tim Rourke, EMEA P&C Leader, Insurance Consulting and Technology, said: “After a prolonged period of price reductions, this latest uptick suggests the market may be approaching an inflection point. While premiums remain below last year’s levels, underlying claims cost pressures have not gone away.
“Insurers continue to face repair cost inflation driven by vehicle complexity and supply chain disruption, as well as continued pressure from credit hire costs. If these cost trends persist, market profitability will come under even greater strain without premium increases over the remainder of 2026.”
Comprehensive car insurance - Quarterly price trends
| 2026 - February | 2026 - May | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Premium* | £711 | £719 |
| % Change Quarterly* | -2% | +1% |
| £ Change Quarterly * | -£15 | +£8 |
Inner London was the only region where drivers experienced a price fall (0.4%) during the three months since February 2026, reducing their premiums from £1,093 to £1,088. All other regions across the UK recorded price increases over the same period.
Drivers in Northern Ireland saw the largest percentage increase in the cost of comprehensive car insurance, with a quarterly rise of 8% (£73) with average premiums increasing from £947 to £1,020. This is the first time average premiums in the region have passed the £1,000 mark since December 2023. The smallest quarterly increase was seen in the West Midlands, where drivers saw a rise of 0.1%, with average premiums now costing £860.
Most expensive regions in the UK
| 2026 - February | 2026 - May | |
|---|---|---|
| Inner London | £1,093 | £1,088 |
| Northern Ireland | £947 | £1,020 |
| Outer London | £893 | £899 |
| West Midlands | £859 | £860 |
| Manchester / Merseyside | £804 | £807 |
More locally focused data shows motorists in West Central London benefited from the biggest quarterly fall in car insurance premiums. Prices dropped by 6% (£77), with premiums decreasing from £1,349 to £1,272, although it remains the country’s most expensive postcode. Drivers in Enfield saw a quarterly fall of 3% (£31), with average premiums now at £912 compared to £943 three months ago.
Despite a sharp quarterly rise of 8% (£33) in Llandrindod Wells, the Welsh town continues to be the cheapest place in the UK with prices on average now costing £471. Other towns where drivers continue to enjoy average premiums less than £500 include Shrewsbury (£498) and the South West England towns of Torquay (£482), Dorchester (£489) and Exeter (£490).
Drivers aged 50 and 51 saw the biggest quarterly price increases of 5% (£29) and 6% (£36) respectively, taking their average premiums to £611 and £610. At the other end of the spectrum, younger drivers benefited from some of the most substantial price falls. Drivers aged 22 benefited from a 5% quarterly price decrease, reducing their average premiums by £73 from £1,465 to £1,392. Drivers aged 17 saw the next biggest reduction in quarterly prices of 3% (£46), taking their average premiums to £1,695.
Steve Dukes, CEO at Confused.com comments, “While car insurance prices are still lower for customers shopping around now, our data shows this window is narrowing. Prices have been increasing now for a few months, and drivers could soon start to see this when they shop around or renew, which is when competitive pressure across the market will intensify.
“Claims payouts have increased since 2020, and that pressure isn't easing anytime soon. This makes it a critical moment for insurers to maximise their data capabilities, to be more competitive, more responsive, and better placed to win customers who are actively seeking value. The insurers who have invested seriously in data will be the ones who come out ahead.”
About the index
The index is compiled using anonymous data from all enquiries submitted on Confused.com. The prices used for analysis are based on an average of the best five quotes received.
The Confused.com car insurance price index has been running for more than 10 years. In this time, the price comparison market has grown significantly (80% market share), and the make-up of the UK driving population has changed along with it. We’ve been monitoring trends within the car insurance industry and have updated our method utilising machine learning techniques to one that reflects today’s UK motor market. This has resulted in an adjustment to the car insurance prices reported in our index.
About Confused.com
Launched in 2002, Confused.com was the UK's first price comparison site for car insurance and is one of the UK’s biggest and most popular price comparison services, generating over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include small van insurance, motorcycle insurance, car buying, and car finance, as well as a number of tools designed to save drivers money on motoring.
Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides an objective and unbiased comparison service. By using cutting-edge technology, it has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers with their decision-making, subsequently finding them great deals on a wide-range of insurance products, financial services, utilities and more. Confused.com’s service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators.
About WTW
At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.
Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.
Footnote
- This latest quarterly data release by the WTW/Confused Car Insurance price Index covers the three-month period March 2026 to May 2026. Return to article