When does my car insurance run out?

Wondering, “When does my car insurance run out?”, but battling to find the answer? Despite the fact that driving without insurance comes with some severe penalties, it’s all too easy to forget when your car insurance is due for renewal. After all, it’s not something you’re likely to think about every day.

Here, we take a look at some quick and easy ways to check your car insurance’s expiry date so that you’re always on the right side of the law.

How can I check if my vehicle is insured?

If you’re concerned that your car insurance might have run out already, you can confirm that it’s insured by visiting askMID. AskMID is the Motor Insurance Database (MID) of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) and it will tell you your car’s current insurance status straight away.

All you need to do is:

1. Enter your vehicle registration number into the space provided
2. Confirm that you’ve read and understood the data protection declaration
3. Complete the Captcha statement

If your vehicle is listed on the MID, you’ll see a green tick with the following statement:

YES. This vehicle is showing as INSURED on the Motor Insurance Database today.

If the MID has no record of your car, you’ll see a red cross and the following:

This vehicle is NOT showing as insured on the Motor Insurance Database today.

Find out more in our full guide: Is my car insured? How to check using askMID.

When does my car insurance run out?

Most car insurance policies are valid for a year. However, depending on the agreement you have with your insurer, you may also have a policy that renews every six months or even every month. 

How can I check when my car insurance runs out?

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to check your car insurance expiry date:

• Look at your policy documents: Start by taking a look at the policy documents you received from your insurer. These might have been sent to you in the post, but you will almost certainly have them electronically as well. Search through your email if you don’t have them filed, physically or digitally, in an obvious place. 

• Look out for your renewal letter: Most insurers will send a renewal reminder at least a month before a policy expires. If you suspect you’re getting close to your renewal date, don’t forget to check your postbox.

• Look at your bank statements: Your insurance premiums will likely come off your account as a monthly, six-monthly or annual debit order. Take a look to see when your current insurance payment was taken, or when your monthly repayments started. Your policy will typically expire 12 months after that date. You can always check with your insurance provider to be sure.

• Contact your insurer: Your insurer will be able to tell you when your policy is going to run out. You can phone or email them for this information. Or, if you have access to an online portal, try logging in to see if your policy information is readily available. 

Remember, using askMID can be a good way to put your mind at ease that you do still have valid insurance in place. Unless it comes up with “No” as an answer, in which case, contact your insurer straight away.

What if I find out that my car insurance has expired?

Firstly, double check that your insurance has definitely expired. Insurers often put auto-renewal processes in place so that your insurance automatically renews for another year when it reaches its end date. This prevents you from accidentally driving without insurance.

But if your research shows that you don’t have any valid insurance currently in place, contact your insurer before you drive again. They’ll be able to help you renew your insurance, or put a new policy in place if your situation has changed, so that you can get back on the road.

Read more: What’s the maximum fine for driving without car insurance?

Can I cancel my car insurance if it renewed automatically?

If you missed the deadline to switch providers and your car insurance auto-renewed, you have 14 days after this date to change your mind. During this cooling off period, you can cancel and move to another provider without paying any fees.

However, if you decide to switch providers after this 14-day period, you’ll be liable to pay any cancellation and administration fees your insurer may charge for this process.

Remember that if you just want to change something about your policy — such as change your address, or add a named driver — you can make these changes at any point in time.

How to check car insurance expiry date: FAQs

Let’s answer a few more questions you likely have about the insurance renewal process.

What should I do if I can't find my policy documents?

It’s always worthwhile having your policy documents somewhere — you never know when you might need to refer to them. If you can’t find them, try and download them through your insurer’s online portal. If that doesn’t work, get in touch with your insurer on the phone or over email. They’ll be able to supply you with a fresh copy.

How can I find out who my car is insured with?

The same steps that tell you when your insurance expires will likely tell you who you’re insured with. So again, check your email for a confirmation letter or policy documents. Or check your bank statements to see if any payments are going to a car insurance provider. Search for “car insurance” in your banking app, or look for a large, once-off transaction you don’t recognise.

Can I renew my car insurance before it expires?

Yes, you can renew your car insurance with a new provider before it expires. If you do this in the middle of your contract period, you’ll likely be charged cancellation and administrative fees. But if you do it about three weeks before it expires, and you choose to go with another provider once you reach your renewal date, you won’t have to pay any fees.

When is the best time to renew my car insurance?

Once you know when your car insurance is going to run out, the best time to renew it is at least three weeks before it expires. Any less than that and you’ll likely end up paying more than you should for your policy.

This is because insurers believe that, the closer you get to your expiry date, the less likely you are to shop around. As a result, you’re more likely to accept their offer, even if it’s higher than what you were hoping for. Within a three-week period (or a little more), you’ll have enough time to shop around, and settle on the quote that’s best for you.

Can I drive my car the day my insurance runs out?

Yes, you are usually covered until 23:59 on the day your insurance runs out. So if anything happens before this time, you’ll still be covered. Just a minute later, however, and you won’t have any coverage at all — at least not unless you’ve lined up another policy with the same or another provider.

Quickfire summary

Having valid car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK, but it’s easy to forget when your car insurance is up for renewal. If you’re not sure whether your insurance has expired, there are a few ways to check.

You can:

• Look at your policy documents — if you can’t find hard copies, you’ll likely have them electronically, be sure to check your email
• Wait for your auto-renewal notice
• Go through your bank statements
• Get in touch with your insurance company

If your car insurance is approaching its expiry date and you’re on the hunt for a new provider, get in touch with the team at Howden. Over 50% of new car insurance clients saved an average of £196 when they found a new insurer through us. We’re here to help.

Also read:

• What is legal cover on car insurance?
• Can you insure a car without an MOT? 
• Car insurance group checker

READ MORE OF OUR CAR INSURANCE GUIDES