Young Drivers Car Insurance

The reason why brokers often quote such expensive policies for young drivers comes down to the number and cost of claims that are made by this age group. Statistically speaking younger drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident than their older counterparts, making them high risk and therefore more likely to make a claim. In addition to higher premiums, the size and cost of a claim involving a young person tend to be higher than that of older drivers. This is because many claims made by younger drivers involve high-speed collisions and there are often multiple passengers in the car, thus making the combination of damage to the vehicle and other vehicles involved, alongside personal injury costs result in costly claims for brokers to resolve.

There are a number of ways to lower your insurance premium, the most significant of which are listed below:

1. Car Group

The car group to which your vehicle falls under would be Young Drivers Insurance and this can be fundamental to the price of your premium quotation. Every car registered to drive on UK roads falls into one of 50 car insurance groups, which take into account the make and model of the car, its performance, the cost of repairs, its security features, how desirable it is to thieves, and lastly how often particular car models are involved in accidents. So when buying your precious first car as a younger driver, it’s a good idea to choose a car from a lower group as this will make your premium lower.

2. Convictions

If you are a young driver looking to renew your policy but have since been penalised with a driving conviction, expect quotations to be costly. It seems obvious, but do your best to avoid speeding and other driving misconduct, as such convictions can add as much as 10% to your quotation. Once more, if you are found guilty of a serious offence such as drink-driving you could see an increase of 50% or more. You might even find it difficult to obtain cover at all.

3. Mileage

Generally speaking, the lower your expected annual mileage the lower your premium as you lessen your likelihood to make a claim. However, drivers must be cautious not to exceed their expected mileage, as this could invalidate your policy

4. Excess

The policy excess is a sum of money your insurance company requires you to pay towards the cost of making a claim. To reduce your insurance premium, you can opt to pay a higher excess than the compulsory excess demanded by the insurance company.

Although it is important to make sure you can afford to pay the combined (compulsory plus voluntary) excess should you have to make a claim.

5. Claim free driving

If you have not claimed on a previous car insurance policy, you can build up a no-claims discount (NCD). The NCD can discount up to 70% off car insurance quotations for young drivers after five consecutive claim-free years.

6. Level of Cover

Three types of motor insurance exist: Fully Comprehensive, Third Party, Fire & Theft and Third Party. Opting for a more basic level of cover can be the cheapest option for young drivers; however, you should always compare all three policy types as some brokers will offer good deals for fully comprehensive cover.

7. Policy Extras

If you opt for comprehensive cover, brokers will often automatically add policy extras to your premium such as legal expenses, courtesy cars and breakdown cover. If you do not wish to have these additional services included in your policy the quotation prices will often be lower.

8. Payment: Monthly or Annually?

Although it is tempting to purchase Young Drivers Insurance in monthly instalments, more often than not spreading the cost of cover over 12 months rather than paying the whole premium in one go will work out to be more expensive.

young drivers car insurance

9. Security

If your car has an alarm, immobilizer or tracking device this will lower the cost of your premium as it makes your vehicle more difficult for thieves to steal. Premiums can also be lowered if you are able to park off road overnight either in a locked garage or in a driveway.

10. Enhance your driving skills

The Driving Standards Agency’s Pass Plus course is aimed at newly qualified drivers and could earn a reduction of up to 35% on the cost of car insurance for young drivers as it is seen that having these extra skills will reduce the statistical likelihood of an accident.

11. Adding ‘named’ drivers

As a young driver you can reduce the cost car insurance by adding more experienced drivers to your policy as ‘named’ drivers. This reduces the cost because the insurer assumes that the car will be driven by a ‘safer’ driver at some point.

Automatically renewing your policy each year is not advised, as brokers do not necessarily reward brand loyalty to young drivers, so it’s always best to shop around online.

Young driver’s car insurance in the UK is typically aimed at new drivers and those aged between 17 and 25. Statistics show that drivers in this age group are more likely to be involved in accidents, making them a higher risk from an insurer’s perspective.

Here’s a brief breakdown:

1. Newly Qualified Drivers: Regardless of age, those who have just passed their test are considered high risk due to their lack of driving experience. Young drivers in this category often face high insurance premiums.

2. Drivers Aged 17-25: As mentioned, this age group is statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. They’re therefore often subject to higher insurance costs.

3. Student Drivers: Students, especially those who may be living away from home and leaving their car in a different location, often face high insurance premiums. Some insurance companies offer student-specific policies, potentially with discounts for good grades.

4. Learner Drivers: Those still learning to drive can get learner driver insurance to cover them while they’re practising in a friend or family member’s car or their own.

To help mitigate the high cost of young driver’s car insurance, many insurers offer policies that involve some form of monitoring of the driver’s habits, such as black box (telematics) insurance, which monitors driving habits like speed, braking, and time of driving to potentially lower premiums for safe driving behaviours.

Car insurance premiums for young drivers in the UK can be quite high compared to those for more experienced drivers due to the perceived risk associated with this age group. However, the exact cost can vary significantly based on several factors:

1. Age and Experience: Younger drivers, especially those aged 17-20, typically face the highest insurance premiums. As drivers gain experience, their insurance costs generally decrease.

2. Vehicle: The make, model, engine size, and age of the vehicle can all affect the cost of insurance. More powerful or valuable cars typically cost more to insure.

3. Location: Where you live and where the car is kept can impact the cost of insurance. Areas with higher crime or accident rates often result in higher premiums.

4. Driving Record: If a young driver has any traffic violations or accidents on their record, this can increase the cost of insurance.

5. Coverage Type: Comprehensive insurance is typically more expensive than third-party, fire and theft or third-party only cover.

6. Excess: The amount of voluntary excess (the amount you’re willing to pay towards a claim before the insurance kicks in) can impact the premium. A higher excess typically leads to a lower premium, but it means you’ll pay more if you make a claim.

There are several strategies that young drivers in the UK can use to help reduce the cost of their car insurance premiums:

1. Choose the Right Car: Cars are grouped into insurance categories 1-50, and those in the lower groups are typically cheaper to insure. These are usually cars with smaller engines, lower performance, and lower value.

2. Increase Voluntary Excess: Agreeing to pay a higher voluntary excess (the amount you pay towards a claim) can lower your premium. However, make sure the excess is still affordable as you’ll need to pay it if you make a claim.

3. Black Box Insurance: Consider a telematics or ‘black box’ policy, which monitors your driving and can offer discounts for safe driving habits.

4. Limit Mileage: If you can limit your mileage, insurers may offer you a lower premium, as less driving means less risk.

5. Advanced Driving Courses: Taking additional driving courses such as Pass Plus can sometimes lower your premiums as they demonstrate that you are a safer, more skilled driver.

6. Secure Your Vehicle: Adding security features like immobilisers or alarms can lower your premium. Parking your car off the street, for example in a driveway or garage, can also help.

7. Add an Experienced Named Driver: Adding a more experienced driver to your policy can reduce premiums, but be aware that ‘fronting’ (where a more experienced driver claims to be the main driver to get a lower premium for a less experienced driver) is illegal.

8. Pay Annually: If you can afford to pay your premium in a lump sum, it’s usually cheaper than paying monthly.

9. Shop Around: Always compare quotes from different insurance companies. What one company may deem high risk, another might not.

Remember, the cheapest policy isn’t always the best. Make sure you have the cover you need for your circumstances.

Black box car insurance, also known as telematics insurance, can be a good way to reduce car insurance premiums, especially for young or inexperienced drivers. Here’s why you might consider it:

1. Encourages Safe Driving: Black box devices monitor your driving habits, including speed, braking, cornering, and the times of day you drive. This encourages you to drive more safely and responsibly.

2. Personalised Premiums: Rather than basing your insurance cost on the average driver in your demographic, the premium is personalised to you and your own driving habits.

3. Potential for Lower Premiums: If your driving data shows you to be a safe and responsible driver, you could benefit from lower premiums.

4. Theft Tracking: Many black box devices also function as GPS trackers, which can help to locate your car if it’s stolen.

However, there are a few potential drawbacks:

1. Privacy Concerns: Some people may not be comfortable with their driving habits being constantly monitored.

2. Restrictions: Some black box policies may impose restrictions, like a curfew or mileage limit.

3. Cost of Poor Driving: Riskier driving behaviour, like regularly driving at night, harsh acceleration or braking, can increase your premiums.

4. Installation: Some black boxes need to be professionally installed in your car, which can be inconvenient, though many providers now use ‘plug and play’ devices or even mobile apps.

Overall, whether a black box policy is right for you depends on your individual circumstances. It can be a great option if you’re confident in your safe driving habits and are looking for ways to reduce your car insurance costs.

The exact cover in young drivers’ insurance policies can vary between insurance providers, but they will typically offer the same basic types of coverage as standard car insurance policies. These are:

1. Third-Party Only (TPO): This is the minimum level of insurance required by law in the UK. It covers injuries to other people and damage to other people’s property caused by your car. However, it doesn’t cover any other costs related to your own vehicle.

2. Third-Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT): This includes the same level of cover as TPO, but also covers your car if it’s stolen or damaged by fire.

3. Comprehensive: This provides the same cover as TPFT, but also covers damage to your own car, even if the accident was your fault. It can also include coverage for personal belongings, medical expenses, and windscreen damage, among other things.

In addition to these basic coverage types, many insurers offer optional extras, which could include:

• Breakdown Cover: Assistance if your car breaks down.
• Legal Cover: Helps you recover your excess, loss of earnings, or compensation for any injuries you suffer as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault.
• Courtesy Car: Provides you with a replacement vehicle if your car is being repaired as a result of a claim.
• Personal Accident Cover: Provides compensation for serious injury or death as a result of a car accident.

Some young driver policies might also include a telematics device (‘black box’) as a requirement, which can help to reduce premiums by monitoring your driving habits. Always read your policy documents carefully to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Just like standard car insurance policies, young drivers’ insurance policies typically have a list of exclusions, or scenarios in which the insurance company will not pay out for a claim. These can vary between insurance providers, but common exclusions include:

1. Driving Under the Influence: If you’re involved in an accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your insurance provider will likely refuse to cover the claim.
2. Illegal Activities: Any damage or loss resulting from illegal activities (such as racing) is usually not covered.
3. Unspecified Drivers: If an accident occurs while someone not listed on your policy was driving, your insurer may not cover the claim. This is why it’s important to list all regular drivers on your policy.
4. Invalid License or No License: If you or a named driver on the policy does not have a valid driver’s licence, any claims made while that person was driving will likely be rejected.
5. Undisclosed Modifications: If you make modifications to your car and don’t inform your insurer, they may reject any claims related to those modifications.
6. Poor Vehicle Maintenance: If damage occurs as a result of poor maintenance (for example, failing to keep your car in roadworthy condition), your insurance may not cover the repairs.
7. Commercial Use: If you use your car for business purposes not covered in your policy, like making deliveries, your insurer may not cover any associated claims.
8. Excess: Most policies will not cover the cost of your excess, the agreed amount you have to pay towards any claim.
9. Driving Outside of Allowed Areas: If your policy has restrictions on where or when you can drive (for example, some black box policies have curfews), claims resulting from driving outside these limits may not be covered.

ABI –  Association of British Insurers – The Association of British Insurers is the leading trade association for insurers and providers of long term savings. … need to contact their insurer for a Green Card which they will need to carry on them if they wish to drive their vehicle in the EU.

BIBA – British Insurance Brokers’ Association – The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) is the UK ‘s leading general insurance organisation.