Everything you need to know about young driver insurance

Securing car insurance as a driver under 21 can feel overwhelming. We specialise in finding straightforward, cost-effective motor cover for newly qualified and young motorists across the UK, without unnecessary restrictions or hidden catches.

Frequently asked questions

Find clear answers to our most commonly asked questions below. From black box alternatives and named drivers to tailoring an affordable policy, our team is dedicated to getting young drivers on the road safely and affordably.

Is my car insured?

If you're not sure if your car is insured, you can find out whether your car shows up as insured or not through the motor insurance database (MID) – you just enter your vehicle registration number. However, it’s important to be aware that the MID takes around two days to update from when you take out cover.

Do I need car insurance?

Yes, if you are driving your car on UK roads you are legally required to have at least third-party car insurance in place. This is due to the continuous insurance enforcement rules (CIE) introduced in 2011 as part of the road safety act.

If you’re the registered keeper of the car it’s your job to make sure it’s insured – even if you aren’t driving it. This is also true even if you keep it parked on the road for the majority of the time – it still needs to be insured while it’s parked.

If you’re caught without insurance you may receive a £300 fine and six penalty points on your licence – and if you’re taken to court you could receive an unlimited fine, and even be disqualified from driving.

The only exception is if you declare your car off the road with a Statutory Off-Road Notice (SORN). 

How much does car insurance cost?

The cost of car insurance varies hugely, as it depends on a multitude of factors – including the kind of cover you want, the car you’re insuring and your own driving and claims history.

However, you can generally rely on a few consistent trends:

  • Fully comprehensive policies are, as a general rule, the cheapest out there – and they also offer the most coverage, so it’s usually a no-brainer

  • Certain car makes and models are cheaper to insure owing to factors like their size, power and safety – you’ll usually find these in lower insurance groups  

  • Unfortunately young drivers always pay more for car insurance – their experience (or lack of) counts against them, and statistically drivers under 25 make up a high proportion of road accidents considering they are one of the smallest groups

  • If you have a history of driving convictions or car insurance claims, this also shows you are a high-risk driver and you’ll therefore likely pay more for cover

  • Certain jobs are also seen as higher-risk, sometimes just because insurers assume you are likely to be on the road more as a result of your occupation. There can be room to adjust your job title slightly in an effort to reduce costs, but keep in mind that lying to your insurer will void your policy completely 

How do I get car insurance?

There are a few ways you can take out car insurance. You might choose to go directly to providers themselves and get individual quotes, or you could even get it as a perk or benefit alongside another financial product

How can I get cheaper car insurance?

Apart from comparing quotes, there are plenty of ways to get cheaper car insurance – both when you buy a policy, and when you’re already covered and keeping your renewal in mind. Here are some of our top tips:

  • Pay annually: While it does mean paying a larger lump sum up front, the total cost generally works out cheaper than paying in monthly instalments

  • Pay more voluntary excess: Offering a higher voluntary excess payment shows insurers you won’t bother making small claims that aren’t worth the cost – the reduced claim risk brings your premiums down

  • Avoid claiming unless you need to: If you can avoid making small claims completely, you’ll have a better chance of building your no-claims discount – which should be applied next time you get cover 

  • Drive less: Simply, the fewer miles you drive the lower your chances are of being involved in a road accident – and again the lower risk results in lower premiums

  • Improve safety and security: Ensuring your car has adequate security and safety features, like alarms and immobilisers, as well as being kept off the street at night if possible, can also help bring down the cost of cover

When will my policy start?

You can take out cover that starts on the day, or you can take it out in advance – for example, if you’re insuring a new car.

Where can I find my policy documents?

You can take out cover that starts on the day, or you can take it out in advance – for example, if you’re insuring a new car.

What insurance group is my car in?

You can find out which group your car is in with our handy car insurance group checker tool – just input your registration number or look up your car’s make and model.

Ready to get on the road?

Speak directly to our specialist advisory team today. Book a callback or discuss your details with us to secure a tailored quote that suits your driving needs and budget.