How do I transfer my car insurance to my new car?

29 July 2025

Buying a new set of wheels is so exciting that it's easy to forget the important things like transferring insurance from one car to another.

Car insurance is mandatory in the UK, so you want to transfer car insurance to a new car as soon as possible. We’ve created these key points, so you can seamlessly switch insurance to your new vehicle.

EASY AS HACK

There are four main points to remember when transferring your insurance to a new car:

Notify your insurer before driving your new car
The insurer may adjust the premium up or down
Ask about any administration fees they may charge
They may also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel rather than transfer your policy.

At a glance

Get in touch with your insurer to ensure continuous and valid insurance, as delays could leave you uninsured, which is illegal.

Can i transfer car insurance from one car to another?

You can transfer your car insurance to your new vehicle. Most insurers will let you change the car in your policy part way through a 12-month standard motor insurance policy.

Bear in mind that the cost of your insurance may also change depending on the car you’re insuring.

how do i transfer car insurance from one car to another?

The first step in transferring insurance from one car to another is to contact your insurer to amend your policy. You may be able to do this in the following ways:

Call your insurer and make changes over the phone
Do it yourself through the online account

Either way, you’ll need specific information to hand, including:

Your policy number
Both vehicles’ registration number
Make, model and engine size of the new vehicle
Any modifications made to it
The car’s value
When you want the cover to begin^[1]

You can also talk to them about other changes to your policy.

If your insurer can offer cover for your new car and you agree to continue with any change to your premium, they will provide new policy documents online or by post.

When you switch your car insurance policy to a new car, your insurance will be in place until your existing renewal date. It’s worth remembering that your renewal date will remain the same after you change the car covered by your policy.

When should you transfer your car insurance?

You should not transfer your car insurance to a new car before buying it. Call your insurer for a quote after you have decided which vehicle to buy. You can then compare the likely premium with your current one and see if it costs more or less.

Get insurance for the new car before driving it off the forecourt. The dealer may provide temporary insurance^[2], or you could arrange for short-term temporary car insurance from an insurer.^[2] Ageas offer temporary cover for drivers and vehicles if you call us directly. When the temporary cover expires, remember to get longer-term insurance.

If you’re buying a used car privately, you must set up insurance cover yourself before you drive it home.

If you’re keeping your old car for a while, keep the insurance until you dispose of it or sell it. Your insurer may offer to insure both vehicles. Alternatively, you could take out temporary insurance for the new car.

can you transfer your insurance mid-term?

Yes, you can typically transfer your insurance to another car mid-term with the same insurance provider, but you should always confirm this with your insurer.

Will transferring your car insurance affect the cost?

Transferring your car insurance could affect the costs in two ways:

1. Your new risk profile

Whether the cost of your policy goes up will depend on the car you buy and how it compares to your previous vehicle. Insurers assess risks and the cost of insurance according to classifications from 1 to 50 listed in car insurance groups decided on by the Association of British Insurers.^[3]
Insurance is usually cheaper for cars in a lower insurance group, e.g. 1-10, with small engines, low repair costs and good safety features. The vehicles that are likely to be more expensive to insure are those that are more valuable, powerful and costly to run.
You can get a quote in advance for the car you are considering.

Admin fees to make the change

How much are the admin fees to transfer your car insurance policy?

The provider will likely charge an admin fee to transfer your car insurance policy. The amount can vary between insurers, so it’s a good idea to review your provider’s terms of business and their fees and charges to confirm the exact cost.

Some insurers do not charge anything or charge less if you amend your policy online. As a current Ageas customer, there’s no fee to pay for changing the car on your existing insurance policy if done through your online account. However, we charge an admin fee of £25 if you use the phone, email, or live chat to change your policy.

Would I be better off swapping insurance providers?

Let’s say you are unhappy with the new premium for transferring car insurance to a new car. In that case, you can cancel your car insurance policy and start a brand-new policy with another provider. But it may not be a straight swap.

Before you change provider, be aware of the consequences:

Typically, the insurer will charge a cancellation fee
You may lose the year’s no-claims bonus (NCB) if you swap insurance providers before the year’s end.

You must decide whether a cancellation fee is worthwhile based on any savings you might make when changing providers. Check whether you are entitled to a refund for any unused cover with your existing insurer.

It’s always worth checking your policy documents carefully before going ahead.

How does a no claims bonus transfer work for a new car?

A no-claims bonus (NCB) transfer works differently depending on the circumstances:

If you are staying with your current insurer, your NCB will usually transfer with no issues
If you are moving to a new provider, you will likely need to show proof of your NCB to support your case
If you swap your insurance provider mid-year, you may lose your NCB for that year.

Each insurer applies specific rules to its NCB scheme, so continuity may not be perfect.^[4] Learn how to get proof of no-claims discount from Ageas.

What will happen if you don’t update your insurance with the new car details?

Your cover will no longer be valid, and you can’t claim on your insurance if you don’t tell your provider that you’re changing your car insurance or they do not confirm the changes.

Remember, it is illegal to drive without insurance. Driving without the correct insurance can also result in a fine, points on your licence or the police seizing your new car.^[5]

don't forget vehicle tax

When you transfer your car insurance from one car to another, do not forget to tax the new vehicle.

The penalties for driving an untaxed vehicle include a fixed penalty notice of £80 (£40 if you pay it within 28 days) or £1,000 or more if you don’t pay it, possible court action, your vehicle impounded, and fees for its release.^[6]

Learn all you need to know about car tax.

The tax on the car you buy depends on the model’s CO₂ emissions and when the vehicle was first registered.

You can arrange your car tax online at the official gov.uk website or call the DVLA.

Once you have insured and taxed your new car, you’re all set to take to the road and enjoy your new set of wheels.