Young driver's insurance - get the best deal

Updated
Young drivers insurance
Young drivers insurance

Pic: Getty

For a newly licensed young driver, the promise of their own transport and independence signals an exciting phase of their life, but for many, the cost of insuring a car is prohibitively expensive.

Indeed, the average annual comprehensive cover for a 17 to 22-year-old is more than £1,100. To keep your insurance premium as low as possible, follow these tips.


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What you need
When it comes to insuring your car, you have three basic options - third party, where you are only insured for damage caused to other cars, third party, fire and theft, and fully comprehensive. In theory, third party should be the cheapest of those three types, but that is not always the case, as insurers often see third party cover as a sign that you'll be more careless, and push up your premium as a result, so be sure to check all the options when you come to getting quotes.

There have been many reports recently of parents being listed as the main driver of their child's car, thereby reducing the insurance costs. But remember, 'fronting', as it is called, is against the law. Instead, consider adding a responsible driver with a good driving record as a second 'occasional' user. It doesn't always cut the cost, but it is definitely worth checking before you buy.

Lastly, don't be tempted to tell porkies. Telling your insurer that your car will be garaged when it's actually parked on the road, or that it is alarmed when it is not, counts as insurance fraud - and it will, at best, invalidate your policy.

Comparing the market
When comparing insurance quotes, don't just stick with one comparison site. The likes of Money Supermarket, Go Compare and Compare the Market don't all compare precisely the same insurance providers, so it pays to take a look through them all.

Such sites are extremely easy to use these days, and it is important to play around with the policy terms to see whether it makes a difference to your quote. For instance, will you really need a courtesy car should yours go in for repairs, or legal advice in the event of an accident? Say no and you'll probably knock a chunk off your premium straight off the bat. Another important consideration is the excess. A low excess figure will bump up your policy price by a sizeable amount, so move that slider to see what difference it could make if you up it. Of course, it will mean that you'll need to fork out if you have an accident, but for careful drivers, it could make a significant difference to your premium.

Don't forget too that there are some insurers that don't appear on comparison sites, so do check the likes of Aviva, Direct Line and LV, some of which will offer a discount for buying online. Alternatively, look into a multi-car policy with your parents' insurer.

Whichever quote you choose, it's worth clicking through to the actual insurance provider's site, just to ensure that your policy terms match what you've asked for. And don't assume that a monthly payment plan is the best option. For the over-30s, it's a useful way to spread the cost, but if your premium is upwards of £1,000, the interest charged for a pay monthly option could really bump up the annual cost. Instead, think about getting a credit card with zero per cent on purchases and paying the whole whack.

Specialist policies
Given the eye-watering premiums many young drivers are forced to pay these days, a number of specialist insurers have sprung up. Some of these use 'telematics', a device fitted to your car, which monitors your driving. That means that if you stick to speed limits, avoid slamming on the brakes unnecessarily, and opt for gentle acceleration and cornering over Formula One-style driving, you can earn rewards such as money back on your premiums.

Try iKube or the unappealingly named Drive Like A Girl for specialist insurance for 17 to 25 year olds, or others such as Coverbox or Insure The Box, which are effectively 'pay as you drive' schemes that allow you to top your miles by driving safely. The AA's Drivesafe policy, which uses GPS technology to monitor your driving and adjust your premium accordingly, is another to consider. However, do remember that some of the above will charge extra if you drive between 11pm and 5am, and others will prohibit overnight driving, traditionally a high-risk time for youngsters on the roads.

Specialist brokers are also worth checking out, so try Swinton, Endsleigh and Only Young Drivers for quotes.

Finally...
Don't be lazy when it comes to policy renewal. Insurers rely on consumers' apathy to bump up policy premiums, but the market is extremely competitive and they all want your business, so always check comparison sites for a new quote before the year is up. If you are keen to stick with your current insurer, it won't do any harm to haggle.

Are you a young driver? How did you manage to cut the cost of your insurance premium? Leave your comments below...

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