There was a time when car insurance in Northern Ireland was much more expensive to buy than in any other part of the UK. However, that’s no longer the case and in some instances, car insurance in NI can be cheaper than in other parts. Read our guide to find out how to save money on your car cover in and compare deals.
Is car insurance in Northern Ireland cheaper than the rest of the UK?
Generally, car insurance in Northern Ireland is sometimes cheaper than in other parts of the UK. Premiums have steadily increased across the whole of the UK; however, premiums in Northern Ireland have seen a much smaller rise. This has resulted in a bigger gap overall, leading to cheaper premiums in Northern Ireland.
However, where you live is not the only factor that insurers take into account. An insurer will consider a number of factors in order to calculate an insurance premium including the driver’s age and driving history, as well as the make and model of the car and its value, amongst others.
Why was car insurance in Northern Ireland previously more expensive?
It’s not completely clear why car insurance in Northern Ireland was once more expensive than other parts of the UK. When stepping in to bridge the price gap and make car insurance more comparable to the rest of the UK, the UK Government’s Office of Fair Trading highlighted the following reasons:
Policyholders in Northern Ireland were more likely to stay with the same insurer rather than shop around for a better deal.
Roads in Northern Ireland were not as safe as roads in other parts of the UK.
The cost of claims in Northern Ireland was higher.
How can I get cheaper insurance in Northern Ireland?
Increase security. If your car is not currently fitted with an alarm, think about adding one to reduce your premium.
Have a secure location to park your car. Cars kept in a garage or on a secure driveway are usually cheaper to insure.
Limit your mileage. If you start working part-time or your long commute becomes much shorter, letting your insurer know about a reduction in your mileage could result in cheaper insurance.
Increase excess. Agreeing to pay a bigger voluntary excess could make your overall premium cheaper. But remember that your insurer won’t pay out for a claim that costs less than your excess. So be careful about making it too high, as it could leave you out of pocket if damage occurs.
Add experienced drivers. If you’re a high-risk driver due to your age or driving history, adding an older and more experienced driver to your policy could help to lower the premium.
Limit optional extras if you don’t need them. Think carefully about which car insurance optional extras you really want as adding extra protection to your policy will generally push the price up too.
Advanced driving skills. You could be in line for a discount with certain providers by taking an advanced driving course such as those offered by the Pass Plus scheme.
Avoid paying monthly. If you can, try to pay for your premium in one go as you’ll pay interest if the premium is spread out over the year.
Pick a smaller car. Choosing to drive a small and safe car is likely to lower your premium.
Limit modifications. Any modification made to your car to make it look better or drive faster is likely to increase your premiums so think carefully before making any changes.
Consider telematics insurance. Having a “black box” fitted to your car to monitor your driving could result in discounts if you drive safely.
Shop around. Don’t automatically renew your car insurance when it’s up for renewal as you could end up paying more than you need. Always shop around and compare car insurance providers to find the best deal. Keep in mind that the cheapest policy isn’t always the best car insurance policy so check the cover details carefully.
Bottom line
Don’t assume you’ll pay more for your car insurance just because you live in Northern Ireland. Prices have increasingly come more in line with the rest of the UK. Just remember to shop around and compare deals rather than sticking with the same insurer.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you’ll automatically be allowed to drive your car in Northern Ireland under your UK car insurance policy, just as you would in either Scotland or Wales.
If you are planning to move to Northern Ireland, it’s important that you let your insurer know in plenty of time before your departure. This is because a change in address represents a significant update, and one that you must make your insurer aware of. Depending on where you move from and to, your premium could also change based on data around road traffic accident and crime rates.
Finder survey: What proportion of us would consider upgrading our car to have a personalised numberplate?
Response
Yorkshire and the Humber
West Midlands
Wales
South West
South East
Scotland
Northern Ireland
North West
North East
Greater London
East of England
East Midlands
Personalised numberplate
14.12%
18.26%
12.12%
17.39%
13.25%
21.05%
12.5%
20.66%
9.52%
21.3%
16.09%
19.32%
Source: Finder survey by Censuswide of 1032 Brits, December 2023
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Helen Champion was an associate editor at Finder. She has worked in communications for over 16 years and currently writes on a range of topics including insurance and money transfers in the hope of empowering people to make better financial decisions. During her broadcast career, she helped to produce hundreds of news and breaking news reports for Associated Press TV and ITV News. And in public relations, she managed several high-profile public relations campaigns for Macmillan Cancer Support, the General Medical Council and overseas for Qatar Foundation on behalf of BLJ Worldwide. Helen has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Lincoln, a passion for practising karate in the dojo and a deep love of making mischief with her sons. See full bio
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