Is a car insurance quote from a website I don't recognise safe?
Some comparison sites are legitimate intermediaries, but fake insurance websites sell ghost policies that leave you uninsured. Always verify the insurer is authorised before paying.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Ghost insurance scams involve fraudsters creating convincing websites or posing as brokers, collecting your premium, and issuing a fake policy document. You drive believing you are insured, but there is no real coverage. The fake policy only comes to light when you need to claim or when police check your insurance status. To protect yourself, check that the insurer and any broker are registered with your national insurance regulator before purchasing. In the UK, you can check the Financial Services Register; in the US, verify through your state's Department of Insurance. Be cautious of policies that cost significantly less than any quote from a recognised provider, as the price difference often reflects that no real coverage exists.
Common red flags
- Premium is significantly lower than every other quote you received
- Insurer or broker name cannot be found on your national regulatory register
- Payment must be made by bank transfer rather than card
- Policy document arrives with spelling errors, unofficial fonts, or inconsistent branding
What to do now
- Check the insurer's authorisation on your national financial regulator's register before paying
- If you already paid, verify your policy by calling the genuine insurer directly from their official number
- If the policy is fake, report to police and your regulator immediately
- Obtain genuine insurance before driving again
Frequently asked questions
Will I still be liable for an accident if I had a ghost policy?
Yes — if your policy is fake and you are involved in an accident, you are legally driving without insurance. This can result in prosecution, fines, licence points, and personal liability for damages.