Pas Trustednews – How first time drivers can get the cheapest car insurance as prices for youngsters rise 50% in a year

• Car insurance price hikes of 50% are hitting young drivers in the pocket 
• Average premium has risen by £594 in a year for motorists aged 17-24 

Young drivers face eye-watering increases to the cost of car insurance, with an annual average hike of £594 threatening to price some drivers off the road.

The typical motorist under 24 paid £1,792 a year for car cover in August 2023, up 50 per cent from £1,198 in the same month last year, according to comparison website Compare the market.

By contrast, the average premium is £743 a year for drivers across all age brackets – a rise of £208, or 39 per cent, in a year.

More than half of drivers are worried the cost of motoring will drive them off the road, Compare the Market said.

Car insurance premiums are now 63 per cent of the overall cost of running a car aged 17-24.

Julie Daniels, motor insurance expert, said: ‘Many young drivers will be worried about the soaring cost of car insurance in recent months.

‘When combined with the wider cost-of-living crisis, more expensive insurance premiums could mean that driving becomes prohibitively expensive for lots of young people.’

However, Compare the Market’s figures are for the premiums drivers are quoted, not what they actually pay – which tends to be lower.

Alternative statistics from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) trade body show the average car insurance premium was £511 in the second quarter of this year, up from £471 in the quarter before.

Why are car insurance premiums rising?

Insurers say their own costs are soaring, leaving them no choice but to pass these on to drivers in the form of higher premiums.

These rising costs include increased energy bills for insurers and their car repair networks, higher staff wage bills and hikes to the cost of spare parts and paint.

Additionally, many drivers face premium increases because of regulation which means renewing customers cannot be charged more than existing ones.

On 1 January 2022 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulator brought in rules that meant insurers had to price products to their customers in the same way.

The aim was to stop the over-charging of existing customers just to let insurers offer cheap premiums to entice new customers, a practice called the ‘loyalty penalty’.

But the regulations, along with the cost of living crisis, mean drivers’ premiums are being dragged up across the board.

A growing number of motor insurers are also charging customers extra for administrative fees, such as setting up or renewing a policy.

These fees push up the overall cost of insuring a car and are often not well understood by drivers, despite being listed in the small print of insurance contracts.

How can young drivers bring their premiums down?

There are several ways that younger drivers can lower their insurance bills.

1. Shop around for the best policy

This is the number one way to save on car insurance. Drivers can make savings of hundreds of pounds if they shop around when taking our or renewing their cover.

Daniels, of Compare the Market, said: For those looking to save money on their car insurance, it is a good idea to shop and compare policies to see if there is a cheaper deal available. Switching to a telematics policy may also be a more affordable option for some young motorists.’

Insurers are no longer allowed to charge renewing customers more than new ones. That means if a driver renews, they should be quoted the same – or less – than if they had started a new policy with the same insurer.

But it may still be possible to get a better deal by shopping around.

2. Consider ‘black box’ telematics insurance

Black box policies are where the insurer uses a system in your car to monitor your driving, either a separate device or via the driver’s smartphone.

These policies are designed to reward those who drive carefully.

They can cut premiums substantially once you start proving you are a good driver. Some insurers even offer an upfront discount if you take out a telematics policy.

3. Pay yearly, not monthly

When taking out a new policy, drivers will be given the option to either to pay for the whole year upfront or in monthly instalments.

Many opt for the monthly payments as it means not having to part with a large sum of money in one go – but paying for insurance in installments normally means paying at least 10 per cent more.

If you can afford to pay your yearly premium upfront, you could save money.

This is because your insurer may charge you interest on the monthly instalments. It is worth asking them if there is a difference and, if so, what it is.

4. Only pay for what you need

Some car insurance deals include extra benefits, such as a courtesy car, windscreen cover, breakdown cover and motor legal protection.

All of these could definitely come in handy, but they will almost always increase the total cost of insuring your car.

Many consumers who buy add-on insurance then forget they have it, and some deals are only claimed on once every 664 years.

5. Consider an advanced driving course

If you have recently passed your test, taking a top-up course, such as the best-known, Pass Plus, can help bring your premiums down.

However, not all insurers care about courses like Pass Plus, so check with your insurance firm first.

However, advanced driving courses also help encourage confidence and safer driving, which is helpful regardless of premium prices.

6. Put a named driver on your policy

Younger motorists may find they get cheaper premiums by putting an older, more experienced driver on their policy.

However, what you absolutely cannot do is pretend this more experienced motorist is the main driver – unless they are.

Doing so is a type of fraud known as ‘fronting’, which insurers take seriously.