Letting things renew on autopilot usually costs you. In the UK, drivers who auto-renew car insurance pay about £82 a year more, and 78% of people who recently renewed were first quoted a higher price, even after the 2022 ban on 'price walking'.
When to start comparing
| Renewal | Start comparing | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Car and home insurance | About 4 weeks before | Gives you time to compare without a gap in cover |
| Broadband, mobile, TV (UK) | When the end-of-contract notice arrives | Providers must send it 10–40 days before the contract ends |
| Energy fixed deal (UK) | 49 days before it ends | No exit fees in the last 49 days of a fixed deal |
| Everything else | A few weeks before | Most contracts renew automatically |
The 3-step renewal check
- Write down last year's price the day you buy. It's the number that tells you whether the renewal is a rise.
- Compare the renewal quote with last year's price and two or three new quotes.
- Ring your current provider with the best quote. If they won't match it, switch.
Out-of-contract broadband and TV customers in the UK were found to be overpaying about £1bn a year, so the end-of-contract notice is worth acting on.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to auto-renew car insurance?
Usually not: UK drivers who auto-renew pay about £82 a year more on average, and most were first quoted a higher renewal price.
When should I switch my energy fixed deal?
In the UK, there are no exit fees in the last 49 days of a fixed deal, so start comparing about 7 weeks before it ends.
Plan it in minutes
Counts down to every renewal, opens a "start comparing" window and flags a price rise. Editions for the UK, US, Canada and Australia.
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