Howden Insurance stands out by balancing local, personal service with the muscle of a national network. You get face-to-face support when needed, but with access to a wide range of insurers across the UK, not just one company’s fixed packages. 

They don’t push generic policies, either. Everything’s tailored, so if you’re driving something specific or have particular coverage needs, they’ll dig through multiple providers to match you with the right deal.

We also found that between August 2024 and January 2025, more than half of their car insurance customers saved an average of £192 when renewing. That kind of result shows the team actively re-shops for clients and doesn’t just roll over the previous policy.

They also seem to shine when things go wrong. Clients described a claims process where Howeden handles most of the heavy lifting, like chasing insurers, arranging pickups, and keeping you in the loop.

The catch? They’re closed on weekends, so you’ll want to book a weekday slot if you need a proper consultation. Still, with pricing wins and helpful support during claims, it’s an agency that pulls its weight.

Excellent service and advice

“Laurie Ross and the team at the Patrick Office have provided me with excellent service and advice in the last 5 years since I moved to them. I like the people and the culture built by the MD June Lynch.”

Alison McGregor, Google Review

Find the best price

“Always helpful and trust the staff to find you the best price about. Easy to progress and steer you all the way to getting your insurance policies completed. I will more than likely be staying with them for all my insurance policies going forward.”

Paul Knight, Google Review

Andrew Yule has been around since 1981, and what’s neat is how human the whole experience feels, a personal touch where you can talk directly to advisors instead of navigating call centres. 

They’re also not in a rush to toss you a standard quote. Whether you’ve got a hybrid, a leased commuter, or a vintage weekend car, they take the time to piece together something that fits, such as mixing and matching extras like legal cover or courtesy cars if you need them.

What we like most about them is their partnership with BD Elite for claims. With this, if you ever need to file one, you’re guided through the process—that’s less usual stress from post-accident headaches. 

You might need a little patience at the start, though: some clients mentioned it takes a bit longer to get quotes back. But in most cases, that’s because the team is digging deep to find options that suit you.

Reasonable quotes 

“Great Company to work with. Whenever I call them up they always offer as much help as they can, and are always very efficient in doing so. Their quotes is also very reasonable on comparison to others.”

Ryan Griffin, Google Review

Best-selling cheapest insurance for your vehicle 

“Andrew Yule is great for finding the best-selling cheapest insurance for your vehicle. I have been with them for three years and they have been great customer service and very help”

Martyn Bonner, Google Review

NFU Mutual Direct offers comprehensive car insurance policies that include extras like windscreen repair, breakdown assistance, and access to a small courtesy car—all bundled into a single package. 

Speaking of package, even the most basic coverage includes Mutual Assist from RAC, which covers roadside help, local recovery, and up to 48 hours of a hire car, providing valuable peace of mind on Glasgow’s roads.

Every policy also features up to £100,000 in Motor Legal Protection, which can be crucial if you find yourself involved in a serious claim.

One of the more reassuring stats? They’ve reportedly paid out 99% of claims from 2019 through early 2025. That kind of consistency adds confidence, especially in high-stress situations.

The downside is that their quote process can be slower than others, and there’s not much room to customize policies down to the specifics. 

Nonetheless, for those looking for thorough coverage, hands-on support, and a strong reputation for claims, NFU Mutual Direct remains a dependable option.

Great deal

“Just changed my car,got a great deal with this company!! Do try them”

Marie Mcvie, Google Review

Very helpful, very honest

“Very helpful very honest and up front that they couldn’t match my renewal price”

morag mcghie, Google Review

Gateway Insurance Services taps into a mix of big-name A-rated insurers and specialist markets, so whether you’ve got a typical hatchback or something a bit more unusual, there’s usually a fitting option.

What clients appreciate is the human side of the service. They shared how it’s nice to talk to someone who directly works for the company instead of a third-party agent.

That said, if you ever have to make a claim, they don’t leave you to fend for yourself—they’ll deal with the insurer, help arrange repairs, and keep things moving. 

You can also sort out other types of cover, like breakdown, contents, and liability, under the same roof. 

Don’t expect to tweak every last detail of your policy, though. Their focus is more on bundled strength than micro-customisation. And they’re not open on weekends, so weekday availability matters here. 

Regardless, we can’t deny that if you’re new to car insurance or want hands-on guidance from start to finish, Gateway Insurance is a reassuring pick.

Reliable, trustworthy

“Gateway could not have been easier to deal with, Gareth got my van insurance and PLI sorted for me. Wouldn’t use any other company. reliable, trustworthy local brokers.”

Thomas Restorick, Google Review

The service and feedback are second to none

“Gateway look after my home, PLI, and car insurance polices. The service and feedback are second to none. Have recommended to friends and family”

David Arthur, Google Review

The main highlight of Cheaper Insurance Direct is their independence—they’re not tied to any one insurer. FCA-authorised and ISO9001-certified, they search the full market, including niche options, to find you the best deal.

They’ve been at it for over 20 years and have placed more than 45,000 policies, which shows they know how to navigate quotes and pricing. 

You can also get a quote with zero obligation. Their process is simple—a quick 7-minute info call followed by a quote within an hour during hours. 

Another thing that makes them appealing is their pricing model. They charge about a third of what they save you on your renewal, so you still come out ahead.

We did hear about some hiccups with people not getting callbacks, especially when the office gets busy. But hey, if you want someone who doesn’t push products, lets you explore without pressure, and still gets results without costing too much, they’re worth talking to.

Gives cheap quotes

“Always left surprised at the prices they provide after receiving renewal prices and checking comparison sites. Deal professionally and clearly knowledgable to get me cheap quotes. Used them the last 3 years.”

Andrew Tait, Google Review

Great service 

“I have used Cheap Car Insurance for a few years now, great service and always friendly helpful service/advice, my whole family use them for car insurance and I also use for house insurance. I have been through loads of car insurance brokers over the years and these are the best, second to none!!! Highly Recommended.”

Martin Allen, Google Review