Comparison websites save the average UK household hundreds of pounds per year — but only if you use them properly. Most people check one site, pick the cheapest quote, and miss out on better deals. This guide shows you how to use comparison websites like a pro.
The Main UK Comparison Sites
Not all comparison sites show the same deals. Each has agreements with different providers, so the cheapest quote can vary significantly between them.
Compare the Market
One of the largest comparison sites in the UK. Strong for car insurance, home insurance, and broadband. Known for showing a wide range of providers, including some smaller insurers that other sites miss.
Best for: Car insurance, home insurance, broadband bundles
Uswitch
The UK’s biggest comparison site for energy and broadband. Also covers mobile phones, credit cards, and loans. Particularly strong for utility comparisons because it includes most major suppliers.
Best for: Energy switching, broadband, mobile SIM-only deals
GoCompare
Covers a broad range of products including car insurance, home insurance, energy, travel insurance, and loans. Has a useful “extras” filter that lets you compare add-ons like breakdown cover or legal protection.
Best for: Insurance with add-ons, travel insurance, loans
MoneySuperMarket
One of the most comprehensive sites, covering insurance, energy, broadband, credit cards, loans, savings accounts, and mortgages. Good for side-by-side feature comparisons, not just price.
Best for: Credit cards, mortgages, savings accounts, insurance
Confused.com
Originally a car insurance specialist, now also covers home insurance and other products. Tends to have strong relationships with car insurers, so it sometimes shows独家 deals.
Best for: Car insurance, young driver policies
Tips for Getting the Best Results
Use Multiple Sites
This is the single most important tip. No single comparison site shows every provider. Some insurers only appear on one or two sites, and exclusive deals mean prices can differ by £50–100 or more.
Check at least 2–3 sites for any given comparison. The few extra minutes can save you significant money.
Check Cashback on Top
After finding the cheapest deal on a comparison site, check whether you can get cashback for signing up through a cashback website:
- TopCashback — often the highest rates
- Quidco — reliable with good retailer coverage
For example, switching energy through Uswitch via TopCashback might add £25–40 cashback on top of the saving from switching. For car insurance, cashback can be £30–70. This stacks on top of the comparison site saving.
Do Not Just Pick the Cheapest
The cheapest quote is not always the best value. Consider:
- Excess amount — a low premium often means a high excess. If you need to claim, a £500 excess on a £300 saving is a bad deal.
- Cover level — check what is included. A cheap home insurance policy might not cover accidental damage or offer enough contents cover.
- Customer reviews — a cheap insurer with poor claims handling is not worth the saving. Check reviews on Trustpilot and uSwitch.
- Excess insurance — if the policy has a high excess, check whether standalone excess insurance would be cheaper than paying extra for a lower excess on the policy.
Read the Small Print
Always check:
- Voluntary excess — this is on top of any compulsory excess
- Policy excess — the amount you pay towards any claim
- Cancellation fees — what happens if you need to cancel early
- Cooling-off period — typically 14 days, but check for penalties
- Automatic renewal — make sure you know when the policy renews so you can compare again
Set a Reminder for Renewal
Comparison sites work best when you comparison shop regularly. Set a calendar reminder 3–4 weeks before each policy renews. This gives you time to compare, haggle, and switch without being rushed into auto-renewal at a higher price.
What to Compare
Car Insurance
The biggest potential saving for most people. UK car insurance premiums vary enormously between providers for identical cover. Use at least 2–3 comparison sites and check direct with providers like Direct Line, which do not appear on comparison sites.
Typical saving: £100–400/year
Home Insurance
Buildings and contents insurance is highly competitive. Combine them on one policy for a multi-policy discount, or split them if separate policies work out cheaper. Check that the contents sum insured is enough — underinsuring can leave you with a reduced payout.
Typical saving: £50–200/year
Broadband
Broadband comparison is straightforward because the product is the same regardless of which site you use. Focus on speed, contract length, and total cost including setup fees.
Typical saving: £60–200/year
Energy
Energy comparisons are quick and effective. Enter your usage or recent bill details and the site will show the cheapest tariff. Switching typically takes 2–3 weeks and your supply does not change — only the company that bills you.
Typical saving: £100–400/year
Credit Cards
Comparison sites can filter cards by your eligibility, showing only those you are likely to be accepted for. This avoids wasted applications that damage your credit score. Compare by:
- 0% purchase periods
- Balance transfer fees and rates
- Rewards and cashback
- Annual fees
Typical saving: £100–500/year on interest if carrying a balance
Loans
Personal loan rates vary significantly. Comparison sites show the APR you are likely to get based on a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score. Always check the total amount repayable, not just the monthly payment.
Typical saving: £200–1,000+ over the loan term
Insider Tricks
Use Incognito Mode
Some people believe that comparison sites track your visits and show higher prices if you have searched before. While this is debated, it costs nothing to use incognito or private browsing mode. Open a private window before each comparison session.
Check Direct Prices
Some providers do not appear on comparison sites, or offer better deals on their own websites. Always check:
- Direct Line — car and home insurance (not on most comparison sites)
- Aviva — sometimes cheaper direct
- LV= — occasionally offers direct-only discounts
- Churchill — sometimes excludes comparison sites
A quick check on the provider’s own website takes 5 minutes and could save you more.
Compare Excess, Not Just Premium
Two policies might both cost £400 per year, but one has a £100 excess and the other has a £500 excess. The first is significantly better value if you ever need to claim. Always compare the premium-plus-excess combination.
Use the Right Filters
Comparison sites have filters that can save you time:
- Annual vs monthly price — annual is always cheaper if you can pay upfront
- Excess amount — set a maximum excess you are comfortable with
- Cover start date — some policies are cheaper if they start on a specific date
- No-claims discount — make sure your NCD is correctly entered
Check Eligibility First
Most comparison sites offer an eligibility check or quick quote feature. Use this before applying for credit cards or loans. A soft search shows your likelihood of acceptance without leaving a mark on your credit file. Only proceed with a full application once you are confident of acceptance.
MSE Tips for Best Results
Martin Lewis and the MoneySavingExpert team recommend several strategies for comparison website users:
The MSE Haggling Script
Before accepting any renewal quote, call your current provider with a competing quote from a comparison site. MSE research shows that 70–80% of people who haggle get a better deal. The script:
“I’ve been a customer for [X years]. I’ve just run a comparison and found [similar cover] for £[amount] with [provider]. I’d like to stay, but only if you can match or beat that price.”
The MSE Stoozing Approach
For credit cards, MSE recommends using 0% purchase cards to keep money in a high-earning savings account while you spend. Compare 0% periods on comparison sites, then put the cash you would have spent into savings earning 4–5% interest.
MSE Energy Switching
MSE recommends switching energy at least once per year. The site’s Cheap Energy Club monitors tariffs and alerts you when a cheaper deal is available. Combined with cashback from TopCashback or Quidco, energy switching is one of the easiest ways to save £100+ per year.
MSE Insurance Tips
- Never auto-renew without checking comparison sites first
- Increase your voluntary excess to lower premiums (if you can afford it)
- Consider annual vs monthly payment — monthly often costs 10–20% more
- Check if your bank account includes insurance benefits you are not using
- Use the FCA’s Insurance Vulnerability Guidance if you have health conditions that affect your cover
Common Comparison Site Mistakes
- Only checking one site — you could miss £50–100 in savings
- Not checking cashback sites — free money on top of the comparison saving
- Picking the cheapest without reading the cover — poor cover can cost more when you claim
- Forgetting about auto-renewal — set reminders so you can compare again next year
- Not checking direct — some providers are cheaper on their own websites
- Applying without eligibility checks — unnecessary credit file hits reduce your score
Summary
Comparison websites are powerful tools when used correctly. Check multiple sites, stack with cashback, compare cover quality not just price, and always check direct providers. Set renewal reminders so you never auto-renew without shopping around first. A systematic approach to comparison shopping can save the average UK household £500–1,000 per year across all bills and insurance.