With the easing of social distancing restrictions, the learner driving community is back with a vengeance, which means that there are more learners on the road than ever. If you want to find out more about learning to drive, check out our series. However, if you have successfully passed your test and are ready to get on the road, don’t let the cost of insurance get you down.
Car insurance for young people can be incredibly high; here’s what you need to know to get it as low as possible.
Choose wisely. You may want a flashy car, but the faster, newer and better looking it is, the more it will cost you. Before you commit to a car, find out its insurance group, and go as low as you can.
Compare cover - not all insurers are the same, in fact, if you shop around, you will probably find huge variations in quotes. Don’t just go for the same company as your friends or family; get at least three quotes from different companies or use an online comparison tool to find the best deal.
Keep it safe – your insurer will want to know your postcode, where you are planning on keeping your car, and any additional security measures. Anything that will help make your vehicle less vulnerable to theft is likely to reduce your insurance premium.
Avoid modifications – tempting as it may be to change things, they are probably not worth the additional insurance bill. Resist the temptation to make modifications until you have earnt your no-claims bonus.
Limit your mileage – some insurance companies offer banded policies based on mileage. If you choose a policy that allows you to drive a set number of miles without being charged extra, you will limit your driving (saving the environment as well as money on fuel), while reducing your insurance bill.
Consider getting a black box. A black box feeds back to your insurer, giving them data on your driving patterns, whether you drive in the day or night, if you speed, if you drive sporadically – so brake quickly and accelerate rapidly, as well as your total mileage. All of these indicators help to inform your insurer about your driving habits and style which, in turn, can give an idea of how likely you are to be involved in an accident. If you have a black box fitted, you could not only get a discount straight away, but you can continue to get bonus discounts and mile allowances.
Take an advanced test. If you spend a lot of time on the motorway, for example, it can help to get motorway lessons. Speak to your driving instructor; they will be able to advise on any additional lessons that could lead to savings on your insurance premium.
Do you have any top tips for saving on your car insurance? Let Trust A Garage know on Facebook or Twitter.