The household renewals checklist
Most households have a dozen or more things that quietly renew every year. Missing one can mean a lapse in cover, a fine, or paying more than you need to. Use this list as a starting point and add the dates that apply to you.
Things that renew or expire
- Car insurance and breakdown cover. Both usually renew every year.
- MOT. Cars generally need one each year once they are three years old. You can check a vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK.
- Vehicle tax. Check it is up to date on GOV.UK.
- Home insurance (buildings and contents), and boiler cover or a yearly boiler service.
- Broadband, mobile and TV contracts. Note the date your minimum term ends.
- Energy tariff. If you are on a fixed deal, note the date it ends.
- Passports and driving licence. Check passport validity well before travel, as some destinations need months remaining. Photocard licences also need renewing, so check GOV.UK.
- Pet insurance, life insurance, gym and other memberships, plus subscriptions and TV licence if you have one.
- Cards and school dates. Bank cards expire, and school trips and clubs have booking deadlines.
A simple system that works
- Put every date in one place. A shared list or calendar beats scattered emails.
- Set a reminder about a month ahead. That leaves time to compare options and act without rushing.
- Note what you pay now. It makes it easy to tell whether a renewal quote is fair.
- Share it. If more than one adult runs the household, agree who handles what so nothing falls between you.
Why checking at renewal is worth it
Insurers must now offer home and car insurance renewals at no more than the price they would charge a new customer for the same cover, but it is still worth comparing options at renewal time. Broadband, mobile and TV providers must also tell you when your minimum term is ending, so look out for that message.
InYourHands can keep these dates and remind you before they are due. Try it free on the web.
About these guides. They are general information for people in the UK, not financial, legal or regulated advice. Prices, rules and providers change, so check official sources and the provider's own terms before you decide. Some links to other companies may in future earn KWE a commission if you choose to use them. That never changes what we write, and we only link to services we think are useful. KWE also makes the InYourHands app, which helps you keep track of dates like these.