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BMW car insurance

Get cheap car insurance quotes for your BMW now.

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How much does it cost to insure a BMW?

The amount you pay for your car insurance premiums will depend on a few factors, including which model of BMW you drive.

This table shows the average price of annual car insurance for 10 popular BMW models:

BMW model Average cost[2]
320d £660
520d £733
118i £644
116d £784
118d £646
320i £666
X3 XDRIVE 20d £601
116i £718
120d £654
318d £663

What affects the price of BMW car insurance?

Insurers consider lots of other things when calculating what to charge you, too, such as:

  • Where you live – How many people live in the area, how much traffic there is, plus how many claims and car thefts there are.
  • Your driving history – Any motoring convictions or points on your licence mean you’re regarded as higher risk by insurers, so they’ll likely charge you more.
  • If you keep your vehicle in a safe place overnight – Parking your BMW in a garage, or on a drive, rather than on the side of the road could mean cheaper insurance.
  • Your annual mileage – If you do high annual mileage you’ll usually be charged more as there’s a greater chance of being involved in an accident.
  • Your job – Car insurance companies gather information on previous claims to estimate the likelihood of individuals in various professions filing claims in the future.
Two young adult women sitting at the hood of a car

What insurance group is my BMW in?

Insurers will consider the model of BMW you drive when calculating what to charge you for insurance.

All cars are sorted into one of 99 different insurance groups to help insurers decide how much to charge for premiums.

Small, cheap and low-powered cars tend to be in the lowest insurance groups, while more expensive, powerful cars are seen as riskier and put in higher insurance groups.

What type of car insurance do I need?

You can choose from three levels of car insurance cover:

  • Third party only (TPO): This is the most basic level of insurance. It covers damage you cause to other people, or to their vehicle or property when driving your BMW. This is the legal minimum cover you can have in the UK
  • Third party, fire and theft (TPFT): TPFT covers damage to other people, their vehicle or property, plus your BMW is covered if it gets stolen or damaged by fire
  • Comprehensive: This includes everything in TPFT cover, as well as repair or replacement costs if your BMW is damaged or written off and it’s your fault

What optional extras can I get with BMW car insurance?

If you want extra cover for your BMW, you can opt for add-ons like:

Breakdown cover

Provides roadside assistance if your BMW requires repairs or recovery.

Breakdown cover

Personal accident cover

This pays out if you have a serious injury or are killed in an accident. It covers loss of income and other expenses your family might incur.

Motor legal protection

Helps cover the cost of legal expenses if you’re involved in a motoring accident that was not your fault and are seeking compensation.

Courtesy car cover

If your car’s damaged in an accident, your motor insurance can give you a courtesy car while it’s being repaired.

Windscreen cover

Repair or replacement of a broken windscreen.

Some of these might be included under your policy as standard, so check before you add on extra cover.

How can I get covered?

Comparing policies is the best way to make sure you're fully covered for the right price.

We’ll just need to know a few things to provide you with quotes for your BMW, including like:

Compare car insurance quotes and see if you could save

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How can I get cheaper BMW insurance?

There are a few things you can do which could help lower the price of your BMW motor insurance.

  1. Pay a higher voluntary excess

    Agreeing to increase the amount you’d pay if you made a claim can mean lower premiums. Always make sure that you’d be able to comfortably cover the amount if you needed to

  2. Add a named driver

    If a more experienced driver occasionally uses your car, adding them to your policy as a named driver might reduce your premiums

  3. Avoid making any modifications

    Cars that have been changed from factory standard are considered higher risk by insurers, whether you’ve modified the performance or the aesthetics.

  4. Pay annually

    If you pay monthly, you’ll usually be charged interest

  5. Increase your BMW’s security

    If your BMW already has an alarm and/or immobiliser fitted, you could add a tracker. Check with your insurer whether this would make a difference to your premiums before purchasing

  6. Cut back on your mileage

    Driving fewer miles means you’re less of a risk to insure.

  7. Avoid unnecessary add-ons

    Consider if you really need expensive extra cover.

  8. Park somewhere safe overnight

    You could get a lower premium if you park your BMW oin a driveway or in a garage rather than on the roadside.

  9. Get a smaller BMW model

    If your car is in a lower insurance group, you’ll usually be charged less.

  10. Choose your occupation title carefully

    When you share your job details with your insurance provider, you might find a few job titles accurately describe your position – choosing one over another could lead to savings, as long as it still truthfully represents what you do.

  11. Shop around for the right policy and price

    Compare a wide range of policies to find the right deal for you.

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Why compare BMW car insurance with Go.Compare?

Free £250 Excess Refund Reward

Up to £250 back if you claim^[3]

We’re trusted

We’re rated 4.7 out of five stars on Trustpilot[1]

Plenty of choice

Compare quotes from more than 165 trusted UK providers[4]

Who is BMW?

Premium German car brand BMW began life in 1916 producing aircraft engines. It wasn’t until 1928 that it started producing automobiles.

Now known for its quality, luxury vehicles, BMW produces everything from SUVs to saloons, sporty convertibles to Tourers, plus the Gran Turismo and Gran Coupe.

Our expert says...

BMWs are known for their luxury, prestige models with precise handling which make them fun and exciting to drive. Unfortunately this can make them a target for thieves. Installing a Thatcham-approved tracking device can significantly increase the odds of recovering your vehicle if it’s stolen. Plus some insurers offer lower premiums to drivers who have one because of the increased level of security it provides.”
Tom Banks – Motor insurance

Frequently asked questions

You might be offered an insurance package from the dealership when you buy your BMW, but this does not mean it’s a great deal.

Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple providers is the best way to make sure you're getting the right cover at the right price.

Yes, most mainstream car insurers now offer electric car insurance and there are some insurance specialists that offer tailored cover for electric cars, too.

Electric car insurance offers the same three levels of cover as a policy for a petrol or diesel car – TPO, TPFT or fully comprehensive.

But it can include extras like:

  • Cover for your wall boxes and charging cables
  • Battery cover against damage, fire and theft
  • Breakdown recovery to your nearest charge point if you run out of charge

If you’re the proud owner of a classic BMW - a cool BMW 328 Roadster or a quirky BMW Isetta, perhaps - you’ll want to make sure it’s protected.

Depending on what you use your classic car for you might be able to use a standard motor insurance policy, but there are also specialist classic car policies available. These can provide extra cover, for instance when you’re displaying your car at a vintage car fair, or while it’s being restored.

Find out more about classic car insurance.

The cost of your BMW insurance will vary based on its make and model, as well as the insurance group it belongs to. However, that's just part of the picture. Factors such as your address, where you park your car at night, your driving record, any previous claims you've made, and the amount of mileage you do annually will also influence your insurance premium.

Yes, BMW does offer its own fully comprehensive monthly subscription insurance. If you’re considering buying BMW insurance, it could pay to compare quotes from a range of other providers to ensure you’re getting a good deal.

They can be. BMWs are luxury cars featuring high-performance engines and occasionally complex technical specifications, so they could require specialist expertise and equipment for servicing and repairs.

Claim on your car insurance and we’ll refund up to £250 of your excess^. We’ve already refunded over £11 million.^^

Claiming on your car insurance is stressful enough, without the added cost of your excess.

Find a silver lining with our Excess Refund Reward. We’ll refund up to £250 of your excess once your claim’s settled. So far, we’ve paid back over £11 million to our customers.

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^Up to £250 refunded after claim settled. Car insurance purchases only. Excludes breakdown, windscreen and glass repair/replacement. Full T&Cs apply.

^^Between July 2019 and July 2024, over £11 million in excess protection claims have been paid to Go.Compare car insurance customers.

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Page last reviewed: 22 October 2024

Page reviewed by Gavin Richards

[1]Based on Trustpilot: Our average rating of 4.7 out of 5 is from 37,345 people who left a review for car insurance comparison only. Last checked 04 September 2024.

[2]Top 10 models of BMW by number of sales and their median annual cost for car insurance between 01 January 2024 and 30 April 2024.

[3]Up to £250 refunded after claim settled. Car insurance purchases only. Excludes breakdown, windscreen and glass repair/replacement. Full T&Cs apply.

[4]As of 22 October 2024, there are 169 active insurers on the panel at Go.Compare.