The short answer
Start shopping about three to four weeks before renewal, get comparison quotes, and then ring your existing insurer with them. The renewal quote is an opening offer.
- Note the renewal date in a calendar as soon as you buy the policy.
- Quote around three to four weeks before. Quotes are often cheapest at roughly that point rather than on the day.
- Compare like for like: excess, cover level, protected no claims, legal cover, courtesy car.
- Ring your insurer with the best quote and ask them to match it. Retentions teams have discretion that the renewal letter does not.
- Be prepared to leave, and actually do it if they will not move.
What will ruin it
Never let a car or home policy lapse, and never cancel before the new one starts. Uninsured driving is an offence in its own right and a gap in home cover is a problem exactly when you need to claim.
Why it works
Insurers price renewals on the expectation that a share of customers will not check. Rules now prevent quoting existing customers more than an equivalent new customer for the same policy, but shopping around still routinely beats both.
Tipking is general household information, not professional advice. Test anything on a hidden patch first. Full disclaimer.
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