Cheap Car Insurance For Younger Drivers
By J Tillotson
The title is a bit of a contradiction in terms, as is never going to be all that cheap for young drivers! But there are steps a driver in the high-risk group can take to save themselves a little cash on their premiums.
Firstly, the Pass Plus training course can knock as much as 35% off your premium with some insurers. It's an intensive course designed to give the driver more confidence in driving in adverse conditions and motorways. Motorways are one of the things a new driver has the most trouble with, so a course which covers motorway driving is a very good idea if you're worried about it.
Being a little more generous in your initial outlay can prove profitable. For example, raising your voluntary excess by a couple of hundred pounds can save you a substantial amount on your monthly premiums. Conversely, paying your whole year's premiums off in one go can not only get you cheap car by cutting out the monthly interest charge, but will save you having to worry about it for the rest of the year.
Secure your car against theft and damages, and if possible, lock it away when not in use. Obviously, not everyone has a garage or private driveway with a gate, but if you have a relatively expensive car and a high excess, it may be worth investing in hiring a garage close to home. If you can't do this, then fitting an alarm, immobiliser and tracker device to your car will also lower your premiums.
Get the minimum cover for your needs – but shop around. When I was looking for cheap car for myself, I found that a fully comprehensive policy worked
out cheaper than a third party, fire and theft one. Bear in mind that you need at least third party only to be legally insured in the UK. Obtain quotes for all levels of cover, but make sure it covers all your needs.
If your finances (or those of your kind parents) will allow it, think about buying a brand-new car straight from the dealership. Most new cars these days come with as much as 3 years of free insurance, which can be helpful in building up your no-claims bonus ready for when you have to start paying for it. Having a no-claims bonus is a sure-fire way to get cheap car as it is proof you are a safe driver.
