Why loyalty costs money
Insurers price renewals on the assumption that most customers won't check. The quote that arrives in your inbox is rarely the best one available to you, and the gap between the renewal price and a fresh quote tends to widen every year you stay.
The fix isn't complicated — it's remembering to look before the renewal date passes. That single habit is worth a meaningful amount every year on every policy you hold.
The sweet spot for shopping around
Quotes are typically cheapest around three to four weeks before the policy start date. Buy much earlier and pricing models treat the quote as speculative; leave it to the last few days and prices climb sharply.
That's why EntryNest defaults to a 30-day reminder for renewals, with a 7-day nudge in case the first one got buried.
What to have ready
Your current policy number, the renewal quote, your no-claims history, annual mileage and any changes since last year — a new job, a house move, a different parking arrangement. Small details change the price substantially.
Storing the policy PDF against the item means all of that is one tap away when you sit down to compare.
Cancel properly, not passively
If you switch, make sure the old policy is actually cancelled rather than left to lapse — some insurers keep taking payment until told otherwise, and an overlapping cancellation can cost a fee.
Once you've bought the new policy, update the renewal date on your item and the cycle restarts automatically for next year.
A worked example: a policy renewing on 1 October
Coverage gaps happen when a policy lapses before the replacement starts. Working backwards from the renewal date keeps the two overlapping cleanly, never leaving a day uninsured.
- 1 September (30 days out)First email. Read the renewal invitation, note last year's premium, and check whether the excess or cover level has quietly changed.
- 8–10 SeptemberQuote window. Prices are typically keenest around three to four weeks before the start date. Gather quotes with identical cover levels so the comparison is honest.
- 24 September (7 days out)Second email. Buy the new policy with a 1 October start date, then confirm in writing that the old policy will not auto-renew.
- 1 OctoberNew cover starts, old cover ends the same day — no gap. Store the new certificate against the item and set the renewal date twelve months out.
Frequently asked questions
- When does the reminder arrive?
- By default 30 days and 7 days before the renewal date. You can change or add reminder points on any item.
- Is it free?
- Yes. Five tracked items and three stored documents, free forever, with no card required.
- Can I track other insurance too?
- Yes — home, contents, travel, pet, health and life policies all work the same way and appear on one dashboard.
- Where is my policy document stored?
- In private encrypted storage readable only by your own account. Download links are signed and expire within a minute.
Keep reading
Driver's licence renewal reminders
A lapsed licence can invalidate the policy you just renewed.
Warranty tracker
Vehicle warranties and service plans expire quietly too.
Subscription renewal tracker
Any recurring charge works the same way — track the date.
How your data is protected
Private storage, signed links, nothing sold or shared.
Let EntryNest remember it for you
Add the date once, choose when you want to hear about it, and get on with your life. Free for five items, no card needed — see what Premium adds.
Create a free account