New Driver Insurance

Cheap Car Insurance for New Drivers

Finding affordable new driver insurance can be difficult when you’ve just passed your test. In this guide, we explain how first-time drivers can reduce insurance costs and compare policy types.One of the questions we get asked after one of our ex learners has passed is where can I find the cheapest insurance. Obviously you have just passed your driving test, so after paying out for a car you will want to save money in any way you can. This is why we have provided this quick guide on how best to find cheap insurance for a first time driver.

The reason your first car insurance is expensive is simply because you do not yet have a track record so to the insurance company you are automatically classed as a high risk, however once you get your first years no claims discount you will see your insurance costs drastically reduce.

New driver insurance is going to be expensive whichever way you go about it. However there are many ways in which you can reduce the cost a little.

A comparison of  third party fire and theft and fully comprehensive motor insurance.

Read on and decide which new driver insurance suits your needs best.

Third party or Third party fire and theft

The only insurance required by law is Third Party , this is an insurance which covers any risks to any third parties, in other words you are covered if cause damage to anyone or anything that is not you or your car! This type of policy is the most basic of insurance policies, and it may be worthwhile to add the extra benefits of a Third party fire and theft policy which again covers anyone and anything that is not you and you r car with the added benefits of cover against fire and theft.

Best Fully Comprehensive New Driver Insurance Options

This is the best insurance you can get, with a fully comprehensive policy you will be covered for any damage that you cause to anyone or anything, including your own car,these policy’s often come with other benefits such as a hire car to use in the event of your own car being off the road. It may be worth bearing in mind that if you do need to make a claim for your own car then you will be liable to pay an excess on any claims which is usually between £250 and £1000, Also should you be unfortunate to have to make a claim then expect a rise in your premium for the following year, with this in mind these policies are probably more suited only if you are fortunate enough to have a relatively new car or if you have a car on finance then often the finance company will insist on having a fully comprehensive policy From personal experience the best advice I can give when it comes to car insurance is to shop around, use the comparison sites , try the companies listed on my pass plus page, the difference between different insurers can run into thousands of pounds. Lower premiums by adding named drivers to your policy, my sons first insurance was over £3000 on a 10 year old Ford Fiesta , by adding myself and his grandfather to the policy as named drivers the price was reduced by a few hundred pounds. OK so his insurance was still six times what the car was worth but as they say every little helps. On the plus side after my sons first year of driving his insurance premium dropped from £3300 to little over £1000, so it just shows how you will be rewarded for driving safely.

When taking out new driver insurance compare don’t make the mistake of thinking that fully comprehensive is always the most expensive. My sons first insurance was fully comprehensive as that was the cheapest option at the time.

How to Lower Your New Driver Insurance Premium

• Get a quote before purchasing your car as there can be a vast difference in premium on different cars
• Drive carefully and considerately.
• Plan ahead whilst driving, and try to anticipate the actions of other road users.
• Stay within speed limits any points on your licence will increase your premiums
• Keep your car legal, remember you will get points on your licence for defective tyres.
• Make sure your car has a valid MOT certificate
• Consider one of the insurers that use a black box to record your driving habits, this can reduce your premiums considerably
• Use Internet comparison sites
• Take a pass plus course

Can a Black Box Make New Driver Insurance Cheaper?

Yes, in many cases a black box insurance policy, also known as
telematics insurance, can significantly reduce the cost of
new driver insurance.

A black box monitors how safely you drive, including things like speed, braking, cornering,
and the times of day you drive. Insurers often reward safe driving with lower premiums,
which can make it one of the cheapest options for first-time drivers.

While some drivers do not like being monitored, black box insurance can be a great way to
save money during your first year on the road and build up your no claims bonus.

Choose the Right Car for New Driver Insurance

As a new driver, choosing your best first car usually means looking for a relatively small car with a small engine.
However, when it comes to new driver insurance, size is not everything.
One of the biggest factors affecting the cost of your insurance is the
insurance group your car falls into.

Best Insurance Groups for New Driver Insurance

All cars are placed into an insurance group, from group 1, which is the cheapest to insure,
up to group 50, which is the most expensive.

Examples of cars in the lowest insurance groups include the Nissan Micra,
Volkswagen Up, Fiat Panda and Citroën C1.

At the other end of the scale, group 50 includes high-performance and luxury cars such as
top-of-the-range BMWs and Ferraris.

The Ford Fiestas we use for driving lessons are usually in
insurance groups 10 to 15, which is one reason they can be a sensible choice for many learners and new drivers.

We also use Suzuki Swifts, but these can cost quite a bit more to insure because they often fall into
higher insurance groups, around 19 to 27. Apparently, one of the main reasons for this is the
cost of replacement parts.

This shows why insurance is not just about engine size or power.
Insurance groups also take into account things like repair costs,
parts prices, safety and vehicle security.

So before buying your first car, always check the insurance group first.
A car that looks small and sensible may still be expensive to insure, while another car with a similar engine size could be much cheaper.