Insurance for young or new drivers
Why should I compare young driver insurance quotes?
It can be hard to find affordable cover as a young driver, but car insurance companies have their reasons. Data shows that young drivers are the riskiest road users, making those new to the roads more likely to be involved in an accident, leading to increased car insurance premiums.
Research carried out by AA showed that by the age of 23, 40% of young British drivers have been in a road crash. Another survey from the RAC Foundation showed that young drivers in the UK were involved in 20% of all recorded collisions yet hold just 7% of all licenses.
Don’t feel singled out, though, as a young driver. It’s not just young drivers that are penalised for their lack of time behind the wheel. New drivers of any age are also paying sky-high car insurance bills.
Your car is a significant factor, too. If you’re commuting to work in a sports car, you’ll add £100s to your premium.
By comparing quotes at different levels from multiple insurance providers, you massively increase your chances of finding the right insurance price for you.
Insurance-related points to consider when buying your first car
The value of the car
Whether you’re driving your own car, your parent’s car or a relative’s car, the make and model will impact insurance prices. The higher the cost of the car, the more it would cost to replace it if it was stolen or involved in a severe accident. Thus, you’ll most likely have a higher premium.
Repair costs
You may only be involved in a minor prang, but if repair costs for your particular make or model of car are high – you’ll end up with a premium to match it.
The car’s security
Insurance providers are looking for key, built in security features which will hinder your car from being stolen. We’re talking alarms, immobilisers, or high-security locks fitted by the manufacturer. All of these features can affect your insurance premiums significantly.
Performance
Statistically speaking, high-performing fast cars and young drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents. Young drivers should ditch the 0-60 stats and go for a steady and reliable model to get favourable deals on their insurance.
The price of the parts
Insurance companies look at the replacement cost of the 23 most common parts when considering premium prices. To save money, young drivers should keep things basic, mainstream and economical for the best deals. There’ll be time enough to opt for that classic car you’ve always dreamed of owning.
Companies that specifically offer young driver insurance
As a new driver looking to keep costs down, the marketplace can be a baffling mix of big brands, high prices and complex terms. So it pays to compare quotes.
Some companies tailor their car insurance packages for young drivers. Now, this can be hit and miss. They are not always the cheapest, but it’s worth looking around if you’ve got the time.
Find lower young driver car insurance quotes with these simple tips
- Plan Ahead
Just passed your driving test? Congrats! But before you rush out and buy your first car, it’s worth putting in some solid research time. Checking out which cars cost less to insure can save you hundreds on your annual policy.As a starting guide, the Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, and Renault Twingo were some of the cheapest cars to insure in 2017. Another way to get a good deal on young driver’s insurance is to get an early quote.
Whether planning for a renewal deal or buying a new car, getting a young person car insurance quote up to 30 days in advance means you can lock in a lower price before any price hikes.
- Keep it locked
It may seem obvious, but keeping your car in a safe place is one of the simplest ways to keep insurance costs down. Any additional security measures you can take, such as parking your car on a driveway or locking your car away in a garage, will lower premiums. - Steer clear of modifications
Tempting as it may be to have the jazziest car in the neighbourhood, insurance companies won’t be impressed by your modifications. Any add-ons are going to ramp up your premiums further. The only exception to this rule? Any additional security measures you take can help. So pass up the large spoilers and invest in a good steering wheel lock instead. Your bank balance will thank you! - Shell out and save
Although flexible payment options are available for young drivers’ car insurance, paying upfront to cover your own car could be beneficial later down the line. If you can, paying for your young driver insurance upfront can bag you a better deal on your premium.Monthly instalments and direct debits spread the cost through the year and make things more manageable. However, you’re essentially taking a loan, so you will have to pay more – often up to 10% more.
If your parents can loan you the money upfront, you could set up a direct debit and pay them back month by month, so you’re getting the lower price, spread evenly throughout the year. Best of both worlds!
- Be smart on your policy
Let’s be clear. Lying to any type of insurance company is a big no-no. Anything other than the truth will invalidate your policy and could even see you become the subject of criminal prosecution. With all that said, you can still use some details to your advantage – so long as the details are still accurate. Job titles are a prime example. A simple change from a title such as Office Administrator to Customer Advisor can save you money. If you’re using price comparison sites or online companies, try different versions of your job title to see which gets the best results. You’ll be surprised at how much this simple trick can save you. - Improve your driving skills
A practical step could include taking an advanced driving course. Be sure to check with insurers before forking out for one of these courses. Not all insurers will lower the premium – even if you’ve passed the course with flying colours. Pass Plus used to be a popular option, but fewer companies are now offering lower premiums in return. Look for courses such as the Advanced Driver Course by IAM RoadSmart instead. Coming in at around £150, this is a great next step for newly qualified drivers. - Add another driver
Being the sole named driver may impact the price of car insurance for young drivers. Adding an older and more experienced driver to your policy can make a huge difference to car insurance costs for young drivers. Make sure you’re still the main named driver, and add someone who will drive the car. Better still, add someone with excellent driving history under their belt. We’re talking mums, dads and grandparents here.
What about young drivers’ third-party insurance?
Previously, third-party coverage was a young driver’s go-to solution to save money. However, you lose comprehensive cover with this type of insurance. Third-party car insurance only protects you from claims another driver may make in the event of an accident. You won’t receive any money for your car if you’re involved in an accident – or if your car gets stolen or damaged. Ultimately, it’s not as overarching as fully comprehensive car insurance.
So, a third-party plan is not a fantastic insurance policy if you live in an area where vandalism or car crime is statistically high, and you need comprehensive cover. That said, insurance companies now see third-party-only insurers as a high-risk group. Consequently, premiums can be higher than if you took out fully comprehensive insurance in some cases. The logic being, if a young person cares so little about their own vehicle (or parent’s car), are they a riskier investment for the insurance provider?
Frequently Asked Questions By Young Drivers
Can I find car insurance for young drivers under £1000?
Yes – it all depends on where you live, the car you drive, and more. The quickest way to find out how much you might pay is to get a quote from multiple insurance providers.
What else can I do to get the policy under £1000?
If you are yet to buy a car, consider purchasing one with an immobiliser and try the following tips:
- Parking your car off-street will help keep your insurance down. Understandably this option is not available to everyone, but if you can, then make use of it.
- Keeping your mileage down means you will spend less time on the road and, therefore, you’re less likely to be involved in an accident.
- Opt for telematics or black box insurance to be included in your policy. This benefits you by keeping costs down as insurance companies can monitor your safe driving. Black box insurance is particularly appealing for young drivers who are statistically more likely to be involved in a crash. This shows insurance providers which customers are safer drivers and allows customers to be rewarded for it.
- Assess your car type – you are new on the road, and you don’t need the coolest cars just yet as there’s plenty of time for that, not to mention the fact that they cost more money! So why not go for a car in a sensible, low-insurance group. Insurance groups range from 1 to 50, and we recommend that new drivers stick to Groups 1 and 2 if you aim to get your insurance below a thousand pounds.
Do I need a no claims bonus?
Understandably, many young and new drivers under 25 do not have any no-claims bonus. This is not a problem, as you are in the same boat as many others. To help keep your insurance down, make sure you follow the rest of the advice on this page.
I’m a young driver with points on my license; what can I do?
If you are a relatively new driver and have points, you can expect your young driver car insurance to go up a bit. However, if you follow the advice on this page, you may still be able to get your insurance premium down.
The most important thing is always to declare your points and convictions on your young driver insurance quote; otherwise, you may invalidate your claim. If you have convictions, you may want to try our convicted driver insurance page.
Can I get car insurance as a young driver if I have had an accident?
Younger drivers can still get insurance if they have had an accident; however, it will likely be more expensive, mainly if you lost any no-claims discount or bonus.
How much is car insurance for new teenage drivers?
The cost of young drivers’ insurance varies so much between each driver that it is impossible to say. The only sure-fire way to know how much your car insurance will cost is to get a quote by clicking the button at the top of the page.
Can you help find insurance for learner drivers?
Yes, we can! Please visit our learner driver insurance pcompare quotes and find more information about using this type of insurance.
How can I find the cheapest young driver insurance?
If you want save money on your policy, we recommend shopping around on multiple comparison sites. Not a lot of the other sites will tell you this, but no single comparison site is the cheapest. The best way to save as much money as possible is to take the time to get a quote on all of the comparison sites.
What is the best insurance for young drivers?
For a lot of young drivers the best policy comes down to price, which is understandable as it’s expensive to buy insurance for a driver with little or no experience. However, cheapest is not always the best option. Other things to consider are:
- whether the policy includes telematics? Black boxes can help lower costs but a lot of people opt for cover without one.
- how much is the excess? It’s important to consider the excess amount in case you have to make a claim one day. If you have a excess of £1,000 made up of £500 voluntary excess, that’s an awful lot of money to pay towards a claim.
- what is included? do you want windscreen cover in case of chips etc., do you want legal cover and so on.
- provider reviews: check reviews for the insurance provider you choose before you go ahead and purchase. Look out for complaints about their claims process & customer service.
