How much is car insurance for an 18 year old

New to driving but worried about insurance? Getting out on the road can be an exciting milestone for many teenagers. The freedom and independence of owning your own car is a feeling that’s hard to compare. Unfortunately when it comes to the matter of getting your new set of wheels insured, teenagers and young drivers are usually left with a raw deal.

The cost of your insurance can vary depending on many factors, these factors usually do not favour someone who is young or does not have a lengthy driving history. These factors include the type of car you drive, where your car is parked and yes, unfortunately your age. A sad fact of life is that car insurance for younger drivers is almost always going to be more costly than for older drivers. This is because many insurance companies are scared by the fact that younger drivers don’t have a previous driving history to compare and are also less experienced than older ones. This is especially true for 18-year-olds however don’t worry, some lenders are aware that just because a driver is young that doesn’t mean they are a bad driver. By hunting around and comparing lenders you can find young drivers deals that work for you.

The average price of car insurance for young drivers between 17 and 24 can vary from £900 to £1800 per annum, this data is for a comprehensive insurance policy.

If this sum makes you worried, it’s understandable. However don’t fret, we’ve compiled an article for you below on how you can save on your premiums and get those prices down!

Why is car insurance more expensive for 18-year-olds?

It can feel unfair that you aren’t offered the same premiums as drivers of other ages, but there are some very solid reasons why insurers ramp up the price for younger drivers. Here are the main factors that push up premiums for young drivers across the UK when they take out an insurance policy.

• You’re statistically more likely to be involved in an accident – New data from brake.org shows that 1 in 5 drivers will be involved in a crash within a year of passing their test. This means insurers will view insuring someone in the young driver’s age bracket as risky.
• You won’t have a previous driving record to compare – A driver’s past history is a good indicator of their risk as a driver. If you have been driving for years without a claim, many insurers will be satisfied that you are a safe driver. This is simply information that is unavailable for young drivers who have just recently passed their test.
• You would be considered inexperienced and so at a higher risk when driving

This can be a little depressing especially if you’ve saved up to buy your first car only to be hit with a high premium. But don’t panic, there are some simple things you can do to reduce your premiums.

How do I save on my insurance?

Here are some practical tips for first-time drivers on how you can save on your insurance.

• Always compare car insurance quotes from multiple lenders
• Lock up your car in a driveway or garage
• Check insurance quotes for the car you want before you buy it
• Increase your excess, this can lower your premiums.
• Look into group insurance, group 1 is the lowest, 50 the highest
• Add an older driver to your policy, this will reduce your premiums
• Consider black box or telematic insurance for lower premiums

Why you should avoid modifications

Modding your car can be tempting, we get it. However from an insurance point of view, this is a guaranteed way to push up your premiums. While it’s true some mods can actually help lower your premiums such as dash cams and parking sensors, most of the popular street mods will dramatically push up your premiums. Aesthetic and cosmetic changes can push up prices as they increase the chance of theft, particularly if you park in more urbanised areas. Some modifications can even invalidate your insurance, such as tinted windows and certain engine changes. The best way to be safe if you’re dead set on modifying your car is to talk directly with your insurer, they will be able to advise you on exact price increases and what modifications they will insure.

When taking out a policy it is very important to see what your options are and what policy works best for you, at Quotezone we’re here to help. We can help you find the best deals on your car insurance with our panel of dedicated UK specialists. Whether you’re looking for third-party, third-party fire and theft, or comprehensive cover, Quotezone has you covered.

What car insurance do I need as an 18 to 25 year old?

Many younger drivers, particularly 17 and 18-year-olds who are just starting to drive independently, will be tempted to opt for the minimum coverage of third-party insurance. Just wait a minute! It may appear to be cheaper on the surface to go with the least comprehensive coverage but you may actually be paying more. How’s that possible? It again comes down to risk. Insurers know that younger drivers tend to opt for the cheapest coverage available, this then leads them to associate those who opt for third-party only as having a higher risk profile. This in turn can mean you may end up spending more on a third-party policy than you would a comprehensive one. This trend isn’t just specific to younger drivers though, many risky drivers will face higher premiums and so opt for a third-party-only policy. This increases the overall price of third-party insurance as more risky drivers take out these policies. Due to this, insurance providers view those who take out comprehensive policies as likely to be less risky to insure. Unfortunately however this pricing may be a revolving door, as more risky drivers catch on to the fact they can save money from opting for comprehensive policies. This would then lead to a rise in comprehensive policy pricing, as insurers adjust their prices based on the number of claims under comprehensive policies. As a young driver you should always compare between the types of coverage and their current pricing, this means you won’t fall into the trap of assuming you’re saving money on third-party insurance by default.

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.