Car insurance for young drivers can be a financial challenge, with the average cost hovering around £1,335 per year. However, the price tag is influenced by various factors, with the type, age, and brand of the car playing significant roles. Data from Uswitch explores how these factors contribute to the cost and provide insights on the most and least expensive options for young drivers.
Types of Cars and Their Impact on Insurance Cost:
| Vehicle body style | Median average quote | % of total quote requests |
|---|---|---|
| Five-door hatchback | £1,314.64 | 50.53% |
| Three-door hatchback | £1,176.50 | 29.73% |
| Four-door saloon | £1,896.44 | 7.13% |
| Five-door estate | £1,436.43 | 2.98% |
| MPV | £1,492.39 | 0.67% |
| Two-door saloon | £1,732.29 | 0.25% |
| Three-door estate | £1,597.23 | 0.09% |
| Coupe | £821.75 | 0.03% |
| Cabriolet | £673.60 | 0.01% |
| Four-door estate | £1,536.91 | 0.01% |
| Other | £1,662.65 | 8.56% |
1. Cabriolets: The Affordable Choice
- Cabriolets emerge as the most affordable vehicle type for young drivers, boasting a median average quote of just £673.60.
2. Coupes: Second in Affordability
- Coupes follow closely as the second most affordable option, with insurance costs averaging £821.75. This is £514 less than the overall average for young drivers.
3. Four-Door Saloons: The Priciest Option
- Young drivers of four-door saloons face the highest insurance costs, with an average of £1,896, over three times that of cabriolet drivers.
4. Other Costly Types:
- Two-door saloons: £1,732
- Three-door estates: £1,597
- Four-door estates: £1,536
Insights into Car Age and Insurance Costs:
| Vehicle age at quote request | Median average quote | % of total quote requests |
|---|---|---|
| -1 to 0 | £1,054.07 | 1.31% |
| 1 to 5 | £1,144.94 | 17.69% |
| 6 to 10 | £1,252.11 | 31.08% |
| 11 to 15 | £1,416.06 | 33.88% |
| 16 to 20 | £1,496.35 | 13.27% |
| 21 to 25 | £1,625.31 | 1.76% |
| 26 to 30 | £1,778.17 | 0.53% |
| 31 to 35 | £1,848.77 | 0.28% |
| 36 to 40 | £1,620.59 | 0.07% |
| 41 to 45 | £1,245.94 | 0.04% |
| 46 to 50 | £1,088.44 | 0.04% |
| 51 to 55 | £1,165.70 | 0.03% |
1. New Cars: The Least Expensive Choice
- Young drivers with brand-new cars benefit from the lowest insurance costs, averaging £1,054. This is 43% less than the expense for those with a 31-year-old car.
2. Age Categories and Cost Increase:
- Cars aged one to five years: £1,114 on average.
- Cars aged six to 10 years: £1,252 (12% increase).
- Cars aged 11-15 years: £1,416 (13% increase).
Brand Impact on Insurance Costs:
| Vehicle make | Median average quote | % of total quote requests |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | £1,396.68 | 14.38% |
| Ford | £1,202.12 | 13.24% |
| Vauxhall | £1,307.55 | 13.15% |
| BMW | £1,798.99 | 9.25% |
| Audi | £1,547.11 | 7.54% |
| Mercedes-Benz | £1,706.45 | 4.44% |
| SEAT | £1,416.52 | 4.22% |
| Toyota | £1,324.29 | 4.20% |
| Peugeot | £1,084.04 | 3.53% |
| Renault | £1,147.45 | 3.11% |
1. Luxury Brands: A Heavier Financial Burden
- BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi top the list as the most expensive car brands for young drivers to insure.
- The average insurance cost for BMW drivers is close to 60% more than that for Peugeot drivers.
Navigating the complex landscape of car insurance for young drivers involves considering various factors. While cabriolets and coupes stand out as more affordable choices, four-door saloons and luxury brands tend to increase the financial burden. Additionally, the age of the car plays a crucial role, with newer vehicles being the most budget-friendly option. Understanding these dynamics can help young drivers make informed decisions and potentially save on insurance costs.