What your Admiral contract says

In short

This is a private motor insurance policy from Admiral Group plc, one of the UK's largest car insurers. You select from comprehensive, third-party fire and theft, or third-party only cover. Admiral offers multi-car policies and optional extras such as breakdown cover, legal expenses, and personal injury protection. You pay an annual premium (lump sum or monthly instalments) and an excess on each claim. Admiral is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, third-party cover is the legal minimum to drive on UK roads.

What you agree to do

• You must pay your premium on time (missed payments may result in cancellation of your policy).
• You must disclose all material facts honestly, including previous claims, convictions, and vehicle modifications.
• You must report any accident, loss, or theft to Admiral as soon as reasonably practicable.
• You must not admit liability or make any offer of payment at the scene of an accident.
• You must ensure your vehicle has a valid MOT certificate and is maintained in a roadworthy condition.

What you can ask for

• You can cancel within 14 days of receiving your policy documents and receive a pro-rata refund.
• You can cancel at any time after the cooling-off period, subject to a cancellation fee (typically £55).
• You can take unresolved complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge.

Points worth knowing

• Compulsory excess can be high for younger driversAdmiral imposes a compulsory excess in addition to any voluntary excess you choose. For drivers under 25, the compulsory excess can reach £350-£500, making smaller claims uneconomical.
• No-claims discount lost after fault claimsA single fault claim can reduce years of accumulated no-claims discount, significantly increasing your renewal premium. Even protected no-claims discount allows only a limited number of claims before it is affected.
• Renewal premium likely to increaseAdmiral reviews your premium annually. Renewal quotes are frequently higher than the original price, especially after claims or if market rates have risen. Under FCA rules, Admiral must offer renewal pricing no higher than to an equivalent new customer.
• Total loss valuation may disappointIf your car is written off, Admiral pays the market value at the time of the loss, not the price you paid. For newer cars, the gap between purchase price and market value can be substantial without GAP insurance.

Dates and deadlines

Annual premium

Due at the start of each policy year, or in monthly instalments by direct debit

Cooling-off period

14 days from receiving your policy documents (cancel for a pro-rata refund)

Annual renewal

Admiral sends renewal terms at least 21 days before the policy expiry date