3rd Feb 2026 09:40
(Alliance News) - UK consumers paying for insurance on a monthly basis are saving around GBP157 million a year combined after firms cut premium finance rates, according to the Financial Conduct Authority.
Interest rate premiums on monthly payments have fallen by 4.1 percentage points on average since 2022, which has saved consumers GBP8 on a typical motor policy and GBP3 on home cover a year, the FCA said.
The regulator said this came after it put the spotlight on the sector in a market study launched in October 2024 amid concerns some firms were not providing fair value for those paying monthly.
Among firms it identified as being at highest risk of not delivering fair value, consumers have saved even more – at GBP14 on a typical motor cover and GBP4 for a home policy each year.
Graeme Reynolds, director of competition and interim director of insurance at the FCA, said: "For millions, paying for insurance monthly is not a choice: it's a necessity.
"We found that competition in the market is meeting the needs of many consumers.
"But where we found issues, we used our Consumer Duty to get people fairer value, without needing to write new rules.
"While we're not planning any market-wide changes, we won't hesitate to act if firms fall short of our expectations as we continue to monitor fair value."
The FCA found in 2023 that nearly half of all motor and home insurance policies – around 23 million – were paid monthly as under-pressure consumers looked to spread the costs and were unable to afford to pay annually.
Paying insurance premiums monthly is more expensive than paying upfront, as providers charge annual percentage rates on the amount, similar to a high interest loan.
But the FCA confirmed it would not introduce a price cap or order firms to provide zero-interest cover for monthly payments, as it said this could "restrict access to important cover for customers who can only afford to pay monthly".
By Holly Williams, Press Association Business Editor
source: PA
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