One in ten motorists have never switched or have been loyal to their car insurance provider for over 10 years.

Only a third (32%) of car owners1 have switched their car insurance within the last year. Non-switchers rate policy features and type of cover higher than switchers2.

While it has been widely reported that Britons have been proving that they are keen switchers when it comes to utilities and telecoms providers, new research by TescoCompare.com reveals that British motorists are playing catch-up, with only a third of the nation’s car owners1 (32%) stating that they have switched their car insurance provider in the last 12 months.

Despite annual renewals for car insurance policies, a whopping 43% say they have stayed with their current provider for three years or longer, while 7% of these claim they have never changed their car insurance provider.

When did you last switch your car insurer?

Within the last 12 months - 32%

1 to 2 years ago - 23%

3 to 4 year ago - 23%

5 to 10 years ago - 9%

More than 10 years ago - 4%

I have never switched car insurer - 7%

For 71% of people who have switched their car insurance within the last 12 months, price is the key factor when choosing their insurance provider. While motorists who have been loyal to their insurance provider for over three years don’t rate price as highly. Instead, only 56% of people who last switched their car insurer three to four years ago named price as the most important factor. This figure drops to just 24% for people who have been with their current car insurance provider for over 10 years.

In contrast to that, 44% of this group values the level of cover (cover features and benefits) provided by their insurance company as the most important factor when choosing their car insurance policy.

Which of the following is most important when choosing your car insurance?

Within the last 12 months – Price (71%), Level of cover received (17%)

1 to 2 years ago – Price (66%), Level of cover received (19%)

3 to 4 years ago – Price (56%), Level of cover received (24%)

5 to 10 years ago – Price (45%), Level of cover received (35%)

More than 10 years ago – Price (24%), Level of cover received (44%)

I have never switched car insurer – Price (39%), Level of cover received (13%)

Commenting on the research, Peter Dingle, Managing Director at Tesco Compare said: "Our research shows that there are a great proportion of motorists out there who aren’t searching for the best deal for their car insurance and who are instead staying with their current car insurance provider. It seems that these people are the ones valuing policy features and the level of cover provided above the cheapest policy available.

This suggests that the majority of motorists are more concerned with getting the right cover for their individual needs, than getting the cheapest price. Our new car insurance comparison site, TescoCompare puts great emphasis on not just comparing price but also to list detailed policy features of the insurance providers. TescoCompare is a great tool for the current ‘non switchers’ to help them find the best deal, without having to compromise on the policy features and the reassurance they are looking for."

Tesco Personal Finance Compare has worked with insurers to ensure that the price quoted on the site is the end price customers will be paying. The price is no higher than if the customer bought direct. Tesco Compare currently lists details of around 30 of the best known insurers, such as Churchill, The AA, More Th>n, Sheilas’ Wheels and many more. Tesco Compare will extend the number of its car insurance partners in the near future.

TescoCompare has been rated best car insurance comparison site by Defaqto, an independent product research company. Defaqto carried out an analysis of 17 car insurance comparison sites, assessing them for functionality and usability features. With a Defaqto rating of 87%, TescoCompare received the highest score of all tested sites. Defaqto highlighted TescoCompare, which launched in September this year, as ‘the best overall service to consumers’.

Notes to editor:

Survey carried out online by YouGov plc, among 2,154 GB adults aged 18+. Data is weighted to be representative of GB adults (18+). Fieldwork ran from 29th to 31st August 2007.

1 Survey is based on motorists who own a car and have car insurance

2 71% of motorists who have switched their car insurance within the last 12 months say price is the key factor when choosing their insurance provider, this drops 56% for people who last witched three to four years ago and to 24% for motorists who have been loyal to their car insurance provider for over 10 years.

List of brands:

AA, Auto Trader, Budget, Churchill, CIS, Devitt, Esure, First Alternative, Halifax, Hastings, IbuyEco, Kwik-Fit, Lloyds TSB, Marks and Spencer, More Th>n, Nationwide, Norwich Union Simplecover, Privilege, Prudential, Quinn Direct, Sheilas’ Wheels, Swiftcover, Tesco, Vauxhall, Virgin, Yes Insurance and Zurich.

Tesco Compare, the car insurance internet price comparison arm of the UK's number one supermarket chain, was launched in September 2007. It is a part of Tesco Personal Finance Group which is a joint venture between The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and Tesco PLC. Tesco Personal Finance Limited. Registered in Scotland No 173199. Registered Office 24 St Andrew Square. Visit Tesco Compare.