How to get car insurance

If you’re new to the UK or choosing car insurance for the first time, the process can feel confusing. But finding a car insurance company is simpler than it seems.

This guide walks you through everything you need to get the right car insurance for you. From the documents you’ll need to the steps to compare car insurance policies and avoid common mistakes.

If you’re already a Marshmallow customer, you can manage your policy any time in the app.

1. Decide what type of car insurance cover you need

In the UK, you must have car insurance to drive on public roads.

There are three main types of cover:

• Fully comprehensive: The highest level of protection. Covers your car, other people’s cars, fire, theft, weather damage, and more.
• Third-party, fire and theft: Covers damage to other cars as well as theft or fire damage to your own car.
• Third-party only: The minimum legal requirement. Covers damage to other people’s vehicles but not your own.

If you’re unsure which option to choose, get some quotes to compare. Fully comprehensive cover often offers the best value — including for new drivers, people new to the UK, or anyone who wants extra peace of mind. Learn more in our guide: What does car insurance cover?

At Marshmallow, we only offer fully comprehensive policies, so you always get our highest level of protection as standard.

2. Gather the documents you’ll need

To get an accurate car insurance quote, insurers usually ask for:

• Your driving licence details (UK or international)
• Your driving history
• Your address
• Your car’s details (registration number, model, age)
• Any No-Claims Discount (NCD) you have for claim-free driving
• Your occupation
• Your driving experience in the UK or abroad

If you need help with NCD, see our guide on How to provide proof of No-Claims Discount.

If you’re moving to the UK, Marshmallow accepts international driving experience, which can help lower your price.

3. Compare car insurance quotes

You can find the best car insurance deals for you in a few ways:

• Comparison websites: Good for checking the market quickly — but they don’t include every insurer. Marshmallow is on a number of them, but if you don’t see us you can get a quote directly from our site.
• Direct insurers: Some companies (including Marshmallow) offer exclusive prices when you buy directly from their website.
• Specialist providers: If you’re a non-UK driver, have recently moved country, or drive for business, specialist insurers may offer better value. Learn more in our guide to business car insurance.

When comparing, make sure you check:

• The level of cover
• The excess (what you pay if you claim)
• What add-ons are available
• Whether your driving history from abroad is accepted
• Customer reviews and claims experience

4. Choose any extra cover you want

Depending on your needs, you might want to add these to your car insurance quote:

• Legal cover
• Breakdown cover
• Courtesy car cover
• Personal accident cover
• Windscreen cover

Add-ons can make your policy more complete — just check what’s included and what costs extra.

5. Complete your application

When you're happy with a quote, you’ll need to fill in a few final details:

• Confirm your personal information
• Confirm your driving history
• Upload any documents needed (like proof of No-Claims Discount)
• Choose whether to pay monthly or annually
• Review your policy and hit Buy

Once your payment is processed, your insurance becomes active from the start date you choose. You’ll receive your documents by email or in your Marshmallow account.

6. What happens after you buy car insurance?

After buying your car insurance policy:

• You’ll receive a Certificate of Motor Insurance
• You can download your documents at any time
• You may be asked to upload proof of identity, address, or NCD

If you bought through Marshmallow, you can manage everything through the app.

Tips for getting cheaper car insurance

Here are some ways to reduce your price:

• Parking in a secure location
• Increasing your voluntary excess
• Paying annually if you can
• Adding an experienced additional driver
• Choosing a car with a smaller engine
• Avoiding unnecessary add-ons

With Marshmallow, you can get a quote in minutes. See what you could save with a cheap car insurance quote today.