Young & New Drivers Car Insurance

How to reduce the cost of car insurance for new drivers

Even though it is a necessity, new driver car insurance is an expensive bill to fork out for. You’ll find that the cost of insurance will only dramatically improve once you’ve become a more experienced driver. However, there are ways to get cheaper insurance for young drivers. For example, you may find that insurance will vary depending on the make and model of your car, and the size of its engine.

If you can afford to pay the full annual fee in one go, it can save more than paying monthly. This is because an insurer will only need to charge a one-off admin fee and no additional monthly interest payments which can add up.

When applying, it’s important you answer all the questions as honestly and as accurately as possible. Here are some other ways you can get cheap car insurance for new drivers:

• Black box technology: also known as telematics, black box technology can be a cheap car insurance option. It’s so popular because it rewards new drivers on the safety of their driving. 

• Increase your voluntary excess: when you’re getting a quote for car insurance you’ll be asked how much you’re comfortable to pay should you need to claim. This is called voluntary excess and can be as little as £0. If you increase the amount you pay towards any repairs that may need covering, you’ll find that your overall premium will decrease. Voluntary excess is only paid when you make a claim on your insurance.

• Add a second driver: if you add an older, second driver to a young driver policy your premium may come down. This is because a more experienced driver will be seen to use the car for some of the time. It’s important that the second driver does actually intend to use the vehicle, so you don’t invalidate your insurance. If a young driver is added onto a more experienced driver’s policy (as a second driver), but the younger driver uses the car more frequently than the named driver, you could be committing fraud. This is called fronting and it’s illegal - find out more here.

• Ensure your car is safe and secure: the safety of the vehicle is determined by how it’s stored when it’s not being driven and the level of security the vehicle has. If it’s fitted with an alarm, immobiliser or another validated security device, it may help reduce insurance costs. The higher the rating of security system, the more likely you are to save on your premium. Find out more information on the official Thatcham’s alarm categories here.

• Pay by the mile: if you are over 21 and drive under 6,000 miles a year you could be saving money. A new type of pay by mile car insurance is a fairer way to insure your car where you pay when you drive and save when you don't. 

Why is a black box policy so good for new drivers?

New driver insurance can be extremely pricey, so finding any way to reduce the cost can help young drivers to get out on the road. Having a black box fitted can decrease the price of young driver car insurance.

A black box, about the size of a smartphone, is fitted to your car. It’ll run reports on your driving behaviour and builds a picture of how you drive for your insurer. It’ll check things like the speed, distance and time of day you’re travelling at. It can also check on how you travel around corners, and your braking and acceleration. What’s great is you’ll be able to access all reports to see how you’re performing and then make improvements in any areas you need to. Our RAC Black Box Car Insurance has no curfews, and you can choose your own mileage limit when you get a quote and buy. It gives you the control and the freedom to drive where and when you want.