Car insurance renewal: when it is due, and what to check
Your renewal date is the day your current policy ends, and your insurer must send a renewal notice in good time before it. Since 1 January 2022 a home or motor insurer cannot charge you more to renew than a new customer would pay, and you can turn off auto-renewal free, at any time.
Last updated 16 Oct 2026 · Joel Lister, founder of Radar
Who this is for: anyone in the UK whose car or home insurance is coming up for renewal.
Who it is not for: business or fleet insurance, or making a claim.
| What | The rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal notice | In writing, in good time before renewal: the new premium, the premium when the policy started, and whether it renews automatically or you need to accept it. | FCA, ICOBS 6.5 |
| Renewal price | No higher than the price the same insurer would charge a new customer, for home and motor insurance, since 1 January 2022. | FCA, ICOBS 6B, FCA |
| Turning off auto-renewal | Free, at any time, and at least as easy as buying a new policy from that insurer. | FCA, ICOBS 6A.6 |
| Fourth renewal and after | The notice must say: “You have been with us a number of years. You may be able to get the insurance cover you want at a better price if you shop around.” | FCA, ICOBS 6.5 |
| Driving uninsured | You must have at least third party insurance to drive on UK roads. The police can give a £300 fixed penalty and 6 points. | GOV.UK, GOV.UK |
When is my car insurance due for renewal?
On the day your current policy ends: the period of cover is on your certificate of insurance and your policy schedule. Before then your insurer has to send a renewal notice, in good time and in writing, saying what you will pay to renew and whether the policy renews by itself or waits for you to accept (FCA). The rules set no fixed number of days for that notice.
What to check before it renews
- The price. The notice shows the new premium beside the one you started on (FCA). Your insurer cannot charge you more to renew than it would charge a new customer, but other insurers may still be cheaper: the FCA says you can still shop around and negotiate a better deal (FCA).
- The cover. A new driver, a new address, more miles or a new car all change what you need.
- Auto-renewal. If you are moving to another insurer, turn it off. It must be free, at any time, and as easy as buying a policy (FCA).
- No gap. Make sure the new policy starts the day the old one ends. Driving uninsured can mean a £300 fixed penalty and 6 points, or in court an unlimited fine and disqualification (GOV.UK).
Home insurance renewal
The same rules apply: a renewal notice in good time, a renewal price no higher than a new customer’s, and free cancellation of auto-renewal (FCA, FCA). Buildings and contents can renew on different dates if they are separate policies, so check both.
Radar’s renewal reminders keep every one of these dates, with the MOT, broadband and energy beside them.
What Radar does with this
- Life setup asks: “When does your car insurance renew?” Four weeks’ notice leaves time to compare other insurers and check the cover still fits. Radar reminds you 30 days ahead.
- Life setup asks: “When does your home or contents insurance renew?” Four weeks’ notice leaves time to compare rather than roll over. Radar reminds you 30 days ahead.
- Life setup asks: “When does your breakdown cover renew?” It often renews by itself, so three weeks’ notice leaves time to check the price and the cover. Radar reminds you 21 days ahead.
- Life setup asks when your car and home insurance and your breakdown cover renew, puts each on your Radar with time to compare first, and moves it on a year when you mark it done.
Radar reads the calendars, task lists and CRM you connect, and the dates you give it. It writes back only when you press a button, and it never sends anything by itself.
Limitations and status
- Radar reminds you of the date; it does not compare prices or contact your insurer.
- The renewal price rule covers home and motor insurance only. Pet and private medical insurance are also outside the auto-renewal rule.
Also free: Radar Lite, the habit tracker on its own, for you and anyone 13 or over in the family.
Questions
When is my car insurance due for renewal?
On the day your current policy ends, shown on your certificate of insurance. Your insurer must send a renewal notice in good time before it. (FCA)
Can my insurer charge more to renew than for a new customer?
No. Since 1 January 2022, home and motor insurers must not set a renewal price higher than the equivalent price for a new customer. (FCA, FCA)
Does car insurance renew automatically?
Many policies do. The renewal notice must say whether yours will, and you can turn auto-renewal off free at any time. (FCA, FCA)
What happens if my car insurance runs out?
You must not drive the car on UK roads. The police can give a £300 fixed penalty and 6 points; in court it can be an unlimited fine and disqualification. (GOV.UK, GOV.UK)
Sources
- FCA Handbook, ICOBS 6.5: Renewals, read 16 Oct 2026
- FCA Handbook, ICOBS 6A.6: Cancellation of automatic renewal, read 16 Oct 2026
- FCA Handbook, ICOBS 6B.2: Setting renewal prices, read 16 Oct 2026
- FCA: New year delivers fairer home and motor insurance renewals (30 Dec 2021), read 16 Oct 2026
- Vehicle insurance (GOV.UK), read 16 Oct 2026
- Driving without insurance (GOV.UK), read 16 Oct 2026
Written by Joel Lister, founder of Radar · first published 16 Oct 2026. Radar is made by Neos Technologies Ltd.