5 Best Telematics Car Insurance Options in the UK
Telematics car insurance has risen to prominence in the UK thanks to its ability to reward safe, mindful driving with lower premiums and thoughtful feedback.
If you welcome a little transparency about how you drive, it can be a smart move — especially for younger or newer drivers. Below are our top picks, each offering something different but all with the same core promise: you drive well, you pay less (and you drive better).
Admiral – A Trusted Definitely Solid Choice
Admiral has spent years refining its telematics offering, and for good reason. If you’re starting out or want a policy from a well-known brand with experience, this is one to seriously consider.
The benefit is confidence — you know what you’re getting. The device and app are reliable, the process straightforward, and you’ll find that if you drive calmly and sensibly, the system rewards you. We see Admiral as a “safe pair of hands” in the telematics world.
If you want fewer surprises, ease of use and good brand support, Admiral ticks those boxes.
Zego – Innovative, App-Based and Big on Value
telematics car insurance stands out in our list because it takes a fresh approach: no physical black box, just the app and telematics via your smartphone. For anyone comfortable with modern tech and wanting flexibility, this is a great match.
What’s especially impressive is Zego’s cost-saving potential. They actively promote worthwhile savings for good drivers, which means you’re not just paying “less than before” but you’re being rewarded for how you drive. This turns telematics into something positive rather than a box you’re worried about.
We believe Zego is ideal for the driver who wants to keep things simple, smart and modern.
Hastings Direct – Young-Driver Specialist with Telemetrics Baked In
Hastings Direct is a standout when your age or driving history makes ordinary premiums high. Their telematics option has been tuned well for younger drivers — the demographic that really benefits from the “prove your safe habits” model.
Our take: if you’re turning 18-25 and want a policy that actively recognises your aim to drive well, Hastings is a compelling choice. It gives you access to discounts and feedback without going fully niche.
Direct Line – Mainstream Meets Telematics
Direct Line offers telematics without locking you into a purely telematics brand. If you prefer staying with a broader insurer but want the benefits of monitoring your driving and getting rewarded, this hits that sweet spot.
We like that it offers options — you’re not forced into the smallest box; instead you integrate good driving into your wider insurance relationship. For someone who uses their car regularly and wants flexibility alongside savings, Direct Line is a smart podium candidate.
Marmalade – Specialist Focus, Strong for Younger Drivers
Marmalade is geared toward young or new drivers and telematics is central to its model. If you fall into that group and want a provider who “gets” you — the modest mileage, late-night constraints, shared cars — then Marmalade deserves your attention.
We view it as the telematics specialist you turn to when the other options feel too generic and you want an insurer crafted around new-driver realities.
Our Summary and Verdict
We believe telematics car insurance is one of the best evolving tools for UK drivers who are willing to let their behaviour speak. If you’re consistently safe, you’ll genuinely pay less — and that “less” is not one-off; it builds a pattern of better driving and better savings over time.
- If you want reliability and brand confidence, go with Admiral.
- If you lean tech-forward, want simplicity and strong cost-saving potential, Zego is a standout.
- If you’re young, newer on the road and want value and fit for purpose, Hastings or Marmalade are great picks.
- If you want a big insurer but want telematics benefits, Direct Line offers strong flexibility.
For many drivers, especially younger ones or those with modest mileage, the savings from a telematics policy can be substantial. Instead of paying the traditional “risk premium” because of age or postcode, telematics gives you a chance to influence your cost directly with how you drive. That alone is reason enough to explore it.
