Car insurance for new drivers typically costs about £1,800 per year, which is far higher than average. You can help to reduce what you need to pay however, and we've got some top tips to help.
When the insurer sets your premium it considers many factors including the type of car, whether it has been modified, your age, whether you have motoring convictions, where you live, your job and how many miles you plan to cover this year.
Such information helps the insurance company calculate its financial risk. In other words, the likelihood you will make a claim that costs it money following a crash, theft or other mishap. The greater the probability of a claim the more you pay for insurance.
Scenario: expensive car insurance
Here is a scenario that will lead to a high insurance cost. You're a young, inexperienced driver, meaning statistics show that you're more likely to make a claim than an older, more experienced motorist. You have a fast, powerful, expensive car that is a target for thieves. You live in a high crime area, do high mileage, and have speeding convictions. On this basis, the insurer thinks there is a good chance you will make a claim. The risk is high so your premium is high.
Scenario: cheap car insurance
There is a contrasting scenario. You are an experienced driver without speeding convictions. You have a modest car that is not likely to be stolen, live in a low crime area, and only do a few miles a year. For such reasons, the insurer concludes you an unlikely to make a claim. The risk is low so the premium is on the cheaper side.
New driver: how to get cheap car insurance
Naturally, the key to getting cheap insurance is to convince the insurer you are low risk - or as low as possible. There are a few ways you can do this.
Pass Plus is a course that requires you to take extra lessons once you have passed your test. It takes at least six hours. The course makes you a better driver which minimises the risk of collision. The insurer might cut the premium on this basis.
Also, buy a vehicle that has a low insurance group rating to minimise your insurer's liability. The scale is one to 50. the factors that define a car's rating include its performance, the cost of repair, and how hard it is to steal. Typically a fast, powerful, expensive sports car has a higher rating than a chap city car. Whatever you drive, modifying it could raise the premium.
It is also important to drive within the law. convictions for speeding, drink-driving, and other offense suggest you are high risk and increase the premium. Drive sensibly to avoid such problems. The premium is also affected by how many miles you tell the insurer you plan to drive. Do not overstate it for this reason.