Car insurance for young drivers

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of getting behind the wheel for the first time after you’ve passed your driving test. But nothing can slam the brakes on your driving dreams quite like the cost of car insurance for young drivers.

As a young, inexperienced driver, you’re likely to pay more for insurance than any other age group. But there are ways you can save on your cover. Use our guide to find out how to pay less for car insurance.

What is car insurance for young drivers?

“Young driver car insurance” isn’t a separate type of car insurance policy – after all, young drivers’ car insurance needs are usually no different from those of older drivers. But when car insurance experts talk about young drivers, they typically mean people between the ages of 17 and 25.

While the cover they need is the same as older drivers, younger drivers are considered much higher risk than other groups. This means they’ll usually pay more for the same level of cover. In fact, according to the latest figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), drivers aged 18-20 pay around 3 times as much as those in their 50s and 60s.

The good news is that, as with any other age group, there are plenty of ways for young drivers to cut the cost of car insurance.

Do I need car insurance as a young driver?

Yes. Young or old, and regardless of whether you’ve been driving for years or it’s your first time behind the wheel, you need to be insured to drive on UK roads. As a legal minimum you’ll need third-party insurance, which will pay out for damage to other people’s cars or property.

Why is car insurance for young drivers so expensive?

Government data shows that young drivers are disproportionately likely to be involved in a car accident where they or a passenger are injured or killed. Meanwhile stats published by road safety charity Brake indicate that 1 in 5 drivers crash within a year of passing their test.

Accidents mean expensive car insurance claims. Insurers seek to offset the risk of high payouts by increasing premiums. It follows that a higher risk of claims means higher premiums for younger drivers.

Even if you’re a careful driver from day one, it will take time for you to build up the years of claim-free driving that prove to insurers that you’re the exception to the rule.

There are, of course, other factors that affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance, such as where you live. City dwellers will usually pay more than those living in rural locations, for example. But the higher risk of accidents among young drivers is by far the biggest cause of high insurance premiums. Our guide on how car accidents affect car insurance explains why.

What else affects the cost of car insurance for young drivers?

As well as the higher risk of accidents for young drivers, there are several other factors that affect the cost of your car insurance. Some of these include the following:

• Age. A 17-or 18-year-old will typically pay higher premiums than a 25-year-old. Once you turn 26, you can expect premiums to steadily decline.
• Driving experience and history. For new drivers, it’s difficult to prove you’re a safe driver without a record to speak of. Providers will typically class you as high-risk, pushing your premiums up. But as you build up years of having a no-claims bonus, your premium will start to drop.
• Claims history. If you need to make a claim, whether it’s related to an accident or something else (such as theft), this can push your car insurance premiums up.
• Where you live. Where you live can affect your premiums, especially if you live in a high-crime urban area where the risk is greater compared to rural areas.
• Your profession. What you do for a living can have a significant impact on you car insurance premiums. And being a student can also bump costs up, partly because many universities are based in urban areas where crime rates are higher.
• Make, model and value of your car. If you drive a sporty, powerful or high-value car, expect to pay more. Driving a smaller and safer “budget” car is likely to work in your favour.
• Car use. If you have a daily commute in “rush hour” through busy roads, you’re more likely to see higher premiums than if you only use your car for leisure.
• Car security. A car that’s fitted with an alarm and immobiliser is likely to mean lower premiums than one that isn’t. You may also save money if you’re able to park in a garage or private driveway than on the street.

What is the cheapest car insurance for young drivers?

Unfortunately, there is no individual policy that will be cheapest for all young drivers. Insurance providers have their own criteria for determining the price of insurance, and no two drivers have the same profile.

As a young driver, black box insurance may prove to be cheaper than regular car insurance as long as you maintain a good driving record. If you don’t drive regularly, you may also be able to save money by using temporary or short-term car insurance.

What are the cheapest cars to insure for young drivers?

For drivers of any age, one of the biggest factors affecting the cost of insurance is the car you drive. As a general rule, bigger, powerful and/or more expensive cars will cost more to insure than compact run-arounds with small engines.

If you’re looking to buy your first car and want to avoid it being prohibitively expensive to insure, check what insurance group it’s in. There are 50 official insurance groups; cars in group 1 will typically be the cheapest to insure, while those in group 50 will incur high insurance premiums.

What cars are in cheaper insurance groups?

If you want to actively seek out a car that’s in a lower insurance group, and will therefore likely be cheaper to insure as a young driver, options to consider include:

• Citroen C3
• Ford Ka
• Hyundai i10
• Kia Rio
• Nissan Micra
• Peugeot 107
• Seat Ibiza hatchback
• Toyota Yaris
• Vauxhall Corsa
• Volkswagen Polo

With each of these cars, at least some models in the range fall into insurance groups 1-5. You’ll probably need to opt for lower-powered models with more basic specs, though. Choosing more powerful, upper-range models of even these cars could push you into a higher insurance group and bump insurance premiums up.

What levels of car insurance are available to young drivers?

All drivers are legally required to have at least third-party car insurance to be on UK roads. Young drivers can take out the same levels of car insurance cover as any other driver.

• Third-party. If you are responsible for causing an accident, you’ll be covered for damage to other people’s vehicles or property. However, third-party insurance won’t cover any damage to your own car.
• Third-party, fire and theft. This will give the same level of cover as third-party and will also provide protection against any fire damage to your car or theft of your car.
• Comprehensive. Comprehensive cover gives you the same protection as the lower levels and also protects your own car against accidental damage and vandalism.

Is basic third-party cover cheaper for young drivers?

Not necessarily. In practice, comprehensive cover can often be cheaper than third-party, or third-party fire and theft. This might sound counterintuitive, but it’s in part because many inexperienced drivers automatically opt for third-party cover under the assumption it will be the cheapest. Car insurers have caught on to this, and some charge more for the lowest level of cover as a result.

Don’t fall foul of this Catch 22. Researching all your options could net you a better premium and a better policy.

What types of car insurance can help young drivers save money?

Alternatives to getting a standard annual car insurance policy that could work out cheaper for young drivers include:

• Adding yourself to a parent’s policy. You could be added as a named driver onto your mum’s or dad’s policy if you’re not the main driver of a car. However, be aware that a young driver added as a named driver when they’re really the main driver is known as “fronting” and is illegal in the UK.
• “Black box” car insurance. Also known as telematics insurance, this kind of policy uses a “black box” installed in your car to track how well you drive. Safe driving habits are rewarded with lower premiums.
• Pay-as-you-go car insurance. These policies are a variant on black-box insurance, that charge you by the mile or by the hour. Pay-as-you-go policies can work out cheaper if you don’t drive that much.
• Temporary car insurance. It is possible to get car insurance cover for a short period of time, usually between 1 and 28 days. This may suit young drivers home from university or if you’re visiting friends or family and need to borrow their car. Be aware that some temporary car insurance policies have a minimum age limit – 18 is typical.

What should I be looking for in a policy for young drivers?

No matter what your age, it’s worth considering each aspect of your insurance policy carefully. If you’re new to driving, you may want to consider the following:

• Cover level. The more comprehensive your policy, the more expensive it is likely to be, but the better it will protect you from damage. If you wouldn’t be able to cover the cost of expensive repairs to your own car, a comprehensive policy may be worth considering.
• Benefits and features. Compare which benefits and features are included in a policy carefully – breakdown cover or replacement key cover, for example. You may find that one provider only offers what you need as an optional extra, while another may include it as standard.
• Payment options. If you can afford to pay your annual premiums in one large sum, it usually works out cheaper overall than paying on a monthly basis.

How can young drivers get cheaper car insurance?

• Pick a smaller, less powerful car. Choosing to drive a small and safe car that is in a low insurance group is likely to lower your premium.
• Limit modifications. Any modifications made to your car to make it look better or drive faster are likely to increase your premiums, so think carefully before making any changes.
• Choose a cover level that suits you. Contrary to what you might expect, comprehensive cover can be cheaper than third party (TP) or third party, fire and theft so it’s always worth checking.
• Add experienced drivers. Adding an older and more experienced driver to your policy as a named driver could help to lower the premium.
• Advanced driving skills. You could be in line for a discount with select providers by taking an advanced driving course, such as the Pass Plus scheme.
• Increase the excess. Agreeing to pay a bigger voluntary excess could make your overall premium cheaper. But remember that your insurer won’t pay out for a claim that costs less than your excess. So be careful about making it too high, as it could leave you out of pocket if damage occurs.
• Avoid paying monthly. If you can, try to pay for your premium in one go as you’ll pay interest if the premium is spread out over the year.
• Limit optional extras if you don’t need them. Think carefully about which optional extras, such as breakdown cover, you really need. Adding extra protection to your policy will generally push the price up too.
• Increase your car’s security. If your car is not currently fitted with an alarm, think about adding one to reduce your premium.
• Limit your mileage. If you start working part time or your long commute becomes much shorter, letting your insurer know about a reduction in your mileage could result in cheaper insurance.
• If possible, park your car off-road. Cars kept in a garage or on a secure driveway are usually cheaper to insure.
• Consider telematics insurance. Having a “black box” fitted to your car to monitor your driving could result in discounts if you drive safely.
• Shop around. Don’t simply choose to renew your car insurance when it’s up for renewal as you could end up paying more than you need. Shop around and compare your options to find the best deal. Keep in mind that the cheapest policy isn’t always the best policy so check the cover details carefully.

Read our guide to getting the cheapest car insurance deal possible as a younger driver.

Can I save money by getting insured on my parent’s policy?

If you share a car with a parent and they’re happy to include you in their cover, you could ask them to add you as a named driver to their insurance policy.

This will likely cause their premiums to rise, but the added cost may be cheaper than if you were to take your own policy out. Even if you have to pay towards their overall premium, you might still save money.

For this to work, they would need to be the main driver of the car though. In practice, this means that they would need to drive the car more than you. If it’s the other way round, you could be found guilty of an offence known as “fronting”.

What is car insurance fronting?

Adding yourself as a named driver on your parent’s policy is fine, and a good way to keep insurance costs down, if they’re the person that drives the car most often (the “main driver”).

What you mustn’t do is put your parent, or another experienced driver, down as the main driver of a car and yourself as a named driver (no matter who owns the car) if you, the younger driver, will be driving it more often.

This is a type of insurance fraud known as “fronting”. It’s illegal and could invalidate your insurance policy and even lead to a driving prosecution.

Bottom line

There’s no getting around the fact that car insurance is expensive for younger drivers. If you’re 20 or younger, you can expect to pay upwards of £1,000 a year – or much more if you own a bigger, more powerful car or live in a part of the UK with a higher risk of car crime. But drive safely and avoid making claims, and you’re likely to see premiums drop over time, particularly when you reach your 26th birthday. Until then, shop around to find the right cover at the best price, and use our cost-cutting tips to avoid paying more than you need to for insurance.

Frequently asked questions

• Is it harder to get insurance as a young driver?

  Not necessarily. While some insurers may decline to quote for very young drivers, there are still plenty that will be happy to. And while many car insurance providers may have higher premiums for young drivers, other providers may actually design car insurance specifically for young drivers, making premiums more affordable. It’s always worth shopping around.

• Can I drive my parents' car even if I don't have my own insurance?

  Yes and no. You don’t necessarily need a separate insurance policy, but legally, you have to have at least third-party car insurance to drive any car on UK roads. Ignoring this could lead to you or your parents being charged with an offence.

  So, if you don’t have your own car insurance policy, you’ll only be able to drive your parents’ car if you are a named driver on their car insurance policy.

• Does my car need insurance even if I'm not using it?

  If you don’t drive your car for chunks of the year, for example while you’re away at college or university, you might assume that it doesn’t need insurance during these periods. You’d probably be wrong. Unless your car is parked on private property (a private driveway or garage, for example) and officially registered as off the road (known as SORN), it still needs to be insured.

• At what age does car insurance get cheaper?

  According to ABI data, average car insurance premiums are at their highest for 18 to 20-year-olds (its data doesn’t include 17-year-olds), drop by around 20-25% for 21- to 25-year-olds and then drop by a similar amount for the 26 to 30-year-old age group. After that, premiums continue to decline more gradually by age until drivers reach their 60s.

• Can I save money by adding another driver to my policy?

  Potentially, yes. If you’re a young driver, adding a parent or another experienced driver to your policy as a named driver could see your premiums drop. This tactic will be most effective if they have a clean and claim-free driving record. Car insurers will like the fact that, at least some of the time, your car may be driven by a lower-risk driver. However, adding another young driver is unlikely to have the same effect and could even bump up your premiums.

• Does young age affect car insurance premiums?

  Yes, however, age is not the only factor taken into consideration when calculating your insurance premium. The make and model of your car, your location and your annual mileage as well as other factors are all assessed. Young drivers are generally considered the most at risk on the road so face higher premiums as a result. But even though young drivers may have little experience, not all will be bad drivers. Opting for a “black box” (or telematics) policy if you’re a safe and careful driver could actually save you money.

• As a young driver, should I just go for the cheapest policy I can find?

  No, not necessarily. The cheapest car insurance policy may not offer you the best cover. Shop around and remember to compare the benefits, features and conditions of each policy rather than looking at the price alone. By understanding what the policy offers in relation to what you require, you could end up saving money.

• Can I add extras to my policy as a young driver?

  Yes, like any driver, you’ll be able to add optional extras or upgrades to your policy. These include things like breakdown cover, personal accident cover, legal expenses cover and windscreen cover. Our dedicated guide to car insurance optional extras highlights what you need to know about these and more.

• Will an advanced driving course help get me cheaper insurance as a young driver?

  It might. As part of the quote process, insurers may ask about any extra driving courses you’ve taken, such as Pass Plus. Some insurers offer discounts if you have an advanced driving qualification, as this helps prove you’re a safer driver.

• Will I be charged if I make changes to my policy?

  It depends on when you make them. If you make changes to your policy at the point of renewal, it may affect your renewal quote, but you shouldn’t be charged any admin fees. However, if you need to make changes to your policy part way through the year – because you’ve moved address, for example – you may be charged an admin fee as well as it affecting your underlying premium (for better or worse). This shouldn’t put you off telling your insurer about relevant changes though, as it could invalidate your policy if you don’t.

• Can my son or daughter drive my car even if they don't live with me?

  Provided they are insured to drive it, then yes. They could either take out their own policy to drive your car, though this might be an expensive option if they only drive it occasionally. Alternatively, you could add them as a named driver to your own policy. Or, if they have their own car, it may insure them to drive other cars (check the small print to be sure). This is only likely to be on a third-party basis though, which wouldn’t cover damage to your car, so you may prefer not to rely on this option.

• Can young drivers get temporary car insurance?

  In some cases, yes. Temporary car insurance can be worth considering if, for example, a young driver wants to get insured to drive a parent’s car during university or college holidays, for example. Many temporary insurers have a minimum age limit of 18 though, and this type of cover could work out pretty expensive per-day for under 21s.

• What type of insurance do I need if I'm learning to drive?

  It depends how you’re learning. If you’re only taking lessons in a driving instructor’s car, you’ll be covered by their insurance. But if you want to practice in your own, a friend’s or your parents’ car, you’ll need your own insurance. This could be a standard policy, particularly if you have your own car. There are also short-term policies designed specifically for learner drivers. Find out more in our full guide to learner drivers insurance.