Cover chosen by you
Whether you just want the essentials or a few extra layers of reassurance, Picnic lets you choose the cover that works for you - all managed online.
Accidental Damage
We’ll repair or replace your car, parts or accessories if they’re damaged, lost or stolen.
Courtesy Car
If your car is being repaired by one of our approved repairers after a claim, you’ll usually get a small courtesy car to keep you moving while the work’s done.
5-year Repair Guarantee
Any repairs carried out by our approved repairers come with a 5‑year guarantee, so you can feel confident the job’s been done properly.
Liability to Others
You’re covered for legal responsibility if someone is injured, passes away, or their property is damaged because of an accident involving your car.
Lost or Stolen Key Cover
If your keys are lost, stolen or damaged, we’ll cover up to £1,500 towards replacement keys, locks and locksmith costs.
Driving Abroad
Heading overseas? You’re covered for up to 90 days a year when driving in EU countries, plus places like Norway, Switzerland and Iceland.
Accessory Cover
We cover accessories and spare parts that are in or on your car, like breakdown kits or removable extras.
Third Party, Fire & Theft
Your car is covered if it’s damaged or lost because of fire, explosion, theft or attempted theft.
Compare our products
Choose the car insurance that works for you, with as much or as little coverage as you want.
Filter our car insurance cover type:
Create car insurance that works for you
Pick the cover you need and add optional extras for extra protection - all online and easy to manage.
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In partnership with RAC
Breaking down is stressful enough. With RAC Breakdown Cover, you can choose the level of help that suits you, so you aren't left stuck when things don’t go to plan.
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Legal Expenses Cover
If you’re in an accident that wasn’t your fault, extra costs can crop up. Legal Expenses Cover can help with things your car insurance doesn’t cover, like loss of earnings or injury claims.
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Personal Accident Cover
Provides financial support if you or your passengers are injured in an accident, with cover up to £60,000 depending on how serious the injury is.
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Hire Car Cover
If your vehicle is stolen or declared a total loss, Hire Car Cover can provide a replacement vehicle for up to 21 days, helping you stay mobile while alternative arrangements are made.
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Protected No Claims Discount
Keep your No Claims Discount protected, even if you need to make a claim. New and young drivers can add this after just one claim‑free year.
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Excess Protect Cover
Helps cover the excess you pay after a motor insurance claim, so you’re not left out of pocket after an incident.
How our online car insurance works
Keeping down costs
Because Picnic is online and you manage your policy yourself, there's no need to call - that’s how we keep your insurance low-cost.
Easy to manage, wherever you are
Make changes, check documents and update your cover anytime, without calling us - at home or on the go.
Get help when you need us
If you do need to speak to us, phone support's still available for things like claims or payments.
Want the ability to call? If you want phone support, 1st Central policies could be a better fit.
Questions? We’ve got answers.
Got a question? Here are clear answers about Picnic, our cover and how things work.
Who are Picnic?
Picnic offers straightforward, online car insurance for people who are happy to manage their policy digitally.
Picnic is part of the same family as 1st Central, who’ve insured UK drivers since 2008 and now look after around 1.4 million people each year.
You buy your policy through a price comparison site, then manage everything through Your Account - all in one place, at a time that suits you.
What does an online insurance policy mean?
An online insurance policy means you manage your insurance yourself using your online account, Your Account.
Through Your Account, you can:
- Check and change your cover
- View your documents
- Make payments
- Make a claim
Because everything is online, managing your insurance is quicker and helps keep costs down. Most everyday changes are made online via Your Account, making it easy to manage your policy at a time that suits you.
You can still call us if you need help with:
- Making or talking about a claim
- Payment questions
- If you need extra support
What does powered by 1st Central mean?
Picnic is an online insurance brand, powered by 1st Central.
That means you get Picnic’s simple, online experience, backed by 1st Central, an experienced UK insurance provider who’ve insured drivers since 2008 and now support up to 1.4 million people each year.
1st Central helps look after your policy behind the scenes, including setting it up, managing changes and renewals, and handling claims, while you manage everything day to day through Picnic.
Can I call Picnic?
Picnic is designed to be managed online via Your Account, as that’s usually the quickest way to get things done.
You can still call for things, like:
- Making or talking about a claim
- Payment questions
- If you need extra support
For everything else, you'll be able to manage your policy online via Your Account.
Why do some of my documents/emails have a 1st Central logo?
You may see both Picnic and 1st Central branding during your journey. That’s completely normal.
Picnic is who your car insurance is with, and it’s the brand you’ll use to manage your policy day to day.
You might also see 1st Central’s name or logo for things like claims or payments. That’s because Picnic is powered by 1st Central, who help look after your policy behind the scenes.
There’s nothing you need to do - 1st Central is part of the team supporting you and your Picnic policy.