New Driver’s Guide

If you have just passed your driving test your insurance premiums are going to be pricey, regardless of your age. That’s just an unfortunate fact. The problem is, being on the road without any car insurance is a criminal offence, and if caught, can make getting insurance later in life more difficult (insurance companies aren’t fond on covering known insurance fraudsters). So if you’re a newly qualified driver, there’s not much you can do but accept the cost, and work out the best way to keep those premiums down.


What to look for in your first policy
You want two things from your insurance policy; to be adequately covered, and for it to be as cheap as possible. Unfortunately, these two things do not necessarily go together, and as such there are two main types of insurance you should consider: Third party fire and theft (TPFT) and Comprehensive (Fully Comp). TPFT covers you for damage to third parties, fire and theft (unsurprisingly) and nothing else, while comprehensive cover is more complete – although it is worth checking what each provider considers ‘comprehensive’, as it can change.

You’d be forgiven for reading the above and thinking that TPFT cover would be cheaper than fully comp, and truth be told in most situations you’d be right. However, sometimes companies may offer special deals or discounts, so it is always worth checking both covers, just in case.

How to select the right level of cover
When you’re filling in your application, it’s really tempting to tell a few white lies – many people do every year, and while this can make your cover slightly cheaper, should you ever need to claim on it these little fibs can cost you dearly. Instead, you should check the small print for extras that many providers add as default that you may not want nor need; for example breakdown cover that you might not require, but would be automatically signed up for.

Saving money now and in the future
There is a whole host of things that you can do to keep your insurance premiums down as a new driver.  E.G, driving a car in insurance group 1 or 2 will save you a bundle, even if it isn’t hugely quick, (Although the 1.4 Volkswagen Fox is only In-Group 2). Another great idea is to add an older, more experienced driver to the policy as a named driver, which is something that can make a huge dent in your premiums. Do not be tempted to simply add yourself as a named driver to someone else’s policy for a car you will be the main driver on. This is called ‘fronting’ and insurers are becoming better and better at uncovering this.   


As a new driver, your insurance will be very expensive. However, a few years of careful driving and no claims discount will soon bring them down, and before you know it, that car you couldn’t possibly afford to insure will suddenly be in reach.