Your car insurance renewal explained

Why are prices higher than last year?

The UK car insurance market is experiencing both a rise in the number of claims and a significant increase in how much they cost to resolve. Together, this is having a major impact on people’s insurance prices.

Did you know? The cost of vehicle repairs have jumped up 46% since last year, following the energy crisis and a rise in labour costs. (Source: ABI)

In October 2023, storms Babet and Ciarán reminded us how volatile the weather can be, causing flash floods and damaging vehicles. If you ever need to claim, we’re here to help - please visit our claims page.

It’s really important to us that we continue to put you first and give you the same great service you’ve come to expect. We continue to assess the value of our cover, and an increase in premiums is not something we take lightly.

What are some reasons for rising car insurance costs?

Labour costs for repairs: up 50% since 2019, due to inflation, shortage of skilled workers and the energy crisis. (Source: Auto Body Professionals)
Cost of vehicle repairs: up 46% since last year. Reflecting rising costs, energy inflation and more expensive repairs. (Source: ABI)
Vehicle theft: up 20.8% last year compared to the previous year, leading to increased claims. (Source: data from ONS)
Paint: prices went up 20% in 2022 and most claims require paint work. (Source: ABI)
Courtesy cars: the cost of courtesy cars has jumped up 52% - an important part of our service. (Source: ABI)
High-tech: vehicles with sensors, cameras and high voltage systems are raising the cost of replacement parts and also require specialist labour to fit.
Long-term care: providing care for people with life-changing injuries (customers, other drivers, passengers and pedestrians) accounts for around 30% of our claims cost. (Source: LV= data)

Where does my car insurance premium go?

Our graph shows how a £450 LV= premium is spent. You might be surprised to see that just 3% was profit, while 71% went towards settling claims.

We use the vast majority of your premium doing what we do best, looking after our customers in their time of need. We're incredibly proud of this and it's something we'll continue.

Based on 2022 LV= data

Take a look at our LV= car insurance customer reviews

Thanks to all our customers who've rated us on Trustpilot - 4.5 stars out of 5 is Excellent!

What are we doing about it?

We know it’s hard to keep up with the cost of living at the moment and these challenges affect everyone

At LV= we’re doing everything we can to tackle these challenges...

Maintaining quality while driving down repair costs: We’re increasing the number of our body shops and garages, exclusively for LV= customers. With pre-agreed prices for repairs and quicker decision making, we ensure the highest standards while controlling costs.
Expanding our team to get you back on the road: Engineers and specialist engineers for Electric Vehicles are in short supply and many are retiring. We're investing in apprenticeships to grow our engineering team, so we can be there when you need us most.
Tackling repair delays so you get what you need: We’re working with our suppliers to combat the issue affecting everyone caused by a global shortage of important materials and high-tech car parts, like semi-conductor chips.

Is your home covered with us, too?

It's no secret that home claims are on the rise. So, let's look at why it's happening and what we’re doing about it.

How insurance pricing works

We know it’s frustrating to see an increase at renewal, especially if you haven’t claimed. It’s partly down to how insurance works. Everyone’s premiums combined have to be able to cover the costs for those unfortunate enough to have to claim. That’s why price increases can affect everyone – even if you haven’t claimed.
Trends like the number of claims from previous years, expected claims in future years and how much they could cost, are factored in. Increases in things like the number of cars on the road, theft, fraud and repair costs are also taken into account.
Insurers aren’t making huge profits. Here at LV= we’ve been impacted by these changes, too, and we’re finding new ways to reduce the impact it’s having on our customers.

We pay out on over 99% of motor claims.
99.51% of direct motor claims paid October 2022 - September 2023

What are the costs involved in a car claim?

Car insurance pays for all sorts of things, like replacing windscreens, repairing damage and even cover for injuries following an accident. In fact, as the chart below shows, personal injury claims made up 33% of LV='s total claims costs in 2022.

Due to the rising cost of energy, it takes on average £80 worth of electricity to repair a damaged vehicle during a claim. The same amount would power the average British household for 3 weeks.
Source: LV= claims data

What can car insurance claims pay for?

Here's a video created by the Association of British insurers to help you understand what your premium pays for.

Please check your individual cover as policies can differ.

Transcript

Mum, I heard them say that Dad needs help to walk again.

That's right, honey. But don't worry, before you know it he'll be home. And we have all kinds of other help on the way. That's what we have insurance for.

But I thought insurance was just for the car, though

Yes, it will pay for our car to be replaced, but it will also pay for all of your dad's treatment, like physiotherapy. Our insurance will pay for us to have a special car until he gets better. It will take care of the money your dad usually makes whilst he can't work. And we'll have a carer for him so I can keep working.

Woah. So it will cost more than this?

Yes, it will buy a lot of those. You see insurance is like a pot that everyone puts money into. Then when someone has an accident, they take money out.

So it's like all our neighbors are helping us.

That's a lovely way to think about it. We actually have insurance for all kinds of things, like for our home, when we travel, and there's even life insurance. Fancy a game?

Yeah!

Erm, Mum I think your neighbors might need the pot of money.

Renewal premiums

If you're an existing LV= Car or Home customer, you can be sure you'll always pay the same or less than one of our new customers when you renew. Your quote will be compared to a new customer price on the same day your renewal was generated, based on the exact same cover.

Why is my renewal price different to last year?

If your renewal quote is different to last year you might be wondering why, especially if you’ve not made a claim. Even if you’ve not moved house, bought a new car or changed your cover level over the last year, your property or vehicle is a year older now which does make a difference to your quote. Here are a few other things worth considering too…

Your claim history

Changes in circumstances can mean your insurance price will go up, for example if your chances of needing to make a claim have gone up. If you’ve been involved in an accident (even if you didn’t make a claim) then you’re statistically more likely to make a claim in future. And if you do need to make a claim and haven’t protected your no claims discount, you could lose some or all of your discount at renewal.

Your driving history

For car, van and bike insurance, we can’t ignore any changes to your driving record. For example, if you’ve had a speeding conviction over the year it'll be reflected in your price as driving or riding too fast increases the chance you'll have an accident. On the other hand, a clean driving record can mean you get a lower price at renewal if you’ve not made a claim or your no claims discount has increased. It works both ways!

Increased repair costs and taxes

As technology improves in modern vehicles, we can all look forward to safer, more economical living. The downside to this is that things are generally more expensive to repair and replace. Insurance companies also have to pay taxes and levies that are set by the government or industry bodies. If these change at all, this can impact your renewal quote.

Accident and crime rates

Even if you’re the best driver or rider in the world, the accident and crime risk in your area is still a factor. If the chances of someone crashing into you or stealing your vehicle goes up or down, it can affect your price.

Changes in legislation or regulations

Legislative and regulatory changes can also have an effect on your car insurance premium. Read our FAQs to find out more.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) have gone into a little more detail around insurance pricing.

Got a question? We might have answered it here...

How do I know my renewal price is the same or cheaper than a new customer?

Could I get a cheaper price at renewal?

Getting a cheaper quote could be due to a variety of things. Usually, it’s because the cover level or add-ons you’ve selected are slightly different. When we work out your renewal, we use all the same details you gave us when you set up your policy (plus any changes you’ve told us about). If you do get a cheaper new quote with us for the exact same cover you currently have, then please call us and we’ll amend your renewal quote.

From time to time, your renewal price may be cheaper than the price we’d give you as a new customer to reflect our view of changing risk. The regulation states that your renewal price must be the same or cheaper than the equivalent new price.

At renewal we’ll update your details to reflect the changes we know of, such as your car and its drivers being another year older. We’ll then calculate your price using these details.

Details include:

Amount of cover:
This includes your excess amount and any additional extras you’ve bought (such as breakdown cover, or legal expenses). When you get a quote on a price comparison website, these details aren’t always included – this is one of the reasons a new quote can appear cheaper than your renewal.
Timings:
Insurance prices can change frequently. This means that between your renewal price being calculated (30 days before your renewal date) and your renewal date itself, there may be changes to our prices. This could be due to inflation, the cost of claims, or a change to our view of the risk being insured. If prices go up after you’ve received your renewal quote, we’ll always honour your renewal price - as long as you renew before the expiry date.
Personal details:
We’ll calculate your renewal based on the information we already know about you, this includes the names, address, vehicle or home on your policy. If any of your details have changed or if we ask for additional information for a new quote that we didn't ask you when you took out your policy, this could result in a different price on the price comparison sites.
How you set up your policy:
We’ll take into account how you first bought your policy and how you set up your policy. So, depending on whether you bought your policy online or through our call centre, your price may be different.

I’ve had a renewal price, why have I been declined a new quote?

What legislation and regulations are in place?

From 1 January 2022, all insurers are adhering to a new pricing regulation set out by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). All insurers will make sure that existing customers never pay more than a new Car or Home customer for a like for like policy.

There's also the personal injury discount rate - or Ogden discount rate - which was changed in February 2017. This legislation means insurers now have to pay out bigger lump sums for personal injury claims. This has meant an increase in annual premiums.

Changes in taxation imposed by the government can also affect your price: Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) is a tax on general insurance premiums and has increased incrementally since it was introduced.

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