Passed my driving test first time :)

MissAlice · 15-12-2011, 12:28 AM

Congratulations

Sadly the price does rise as a newly qualified driver, because you are now going to be on the road more, the level of risk has increased. If you are under 21 you get a raw deal, insurance companies assume you will drive more at night when most accidents occur, drive faster and therefore are more likely to be involved in accidents, so until you prove you are a good driver the premiums will be high. If you were in an accident and were responsible for writing off another parties car let’s say £15000 worth of car the insurance company needs to cover its costs. So it penalises us all regardless of how safe and sensible we are. It stinks I know!

I don’t think being a named driver on your sister’s policy will do you any favours, as its only 2 years since she passed her test. But it’s certainly worth a try.

You say your mother lost her no claims, but if she had insurance in the last 2 years she can reclaim them, by simply contacting her last insurance company and asking for proof, she may already have written proof, even a renewal notice dated within that period is valid.

To keep the cost down, buy a car with a small engine (low insurance groups) with no modifications. If you are unemployed that will increase the premium, stupidly insurance companies assume you will be on the road more even though you have little money.

Some insurance companies allow you to build up your no claims as a named driver, rather than being the main policy holder, so worth taking that into account if you have a parent/grandparent with no claims or convictions in the last 5 years. If you intend being the main policy holder you could still have a suitably named driver.

Postcodes matter, if you live in a rural area, insurance companies calculate less traffic therefore less chance of an accident.

It does seem unfair particularly for young male drivers, but until something is done about reducing the 20-25% (it could be higher) of all accidents and convictions by those under the age of 21, it won’t get much better if at all.

Good luck with your insurance quotes, get plenty of them, and stay safe

danzooo · 15-12-2011, 01:24 AM

You'd be happy to pay £3k you mad bro? In all honesty, no insurance company is gonna be nice to someone who's just passed their test, the only thing I can suggest is just to keep looking and looking and refer to this thread I wrote for insurance tips.

I'd try Tesco if I were you, out of all the places I tried, they gave me the cheapest quote - and that was with me on my own policy!