Car Insurance for 17 & 18 year olds
What Car Insurance do 17 and 18 Year Olds Need?
All drivers need car insurance as it is illegal to drive without it. But what sort of insurance is best for 17 and 18 year olds?
It’s best to get a policy that’s tailored to meet your needs as a young driver:
- Learner Driver Insurance – This will cover you for all the driving you do outside of your structured lessons, while you prepare for your driving test. And it really pays to get as much practice as possible as this will help you to build up your confidence behind the wheel and improve your chances of passing your test. You can do this under supervision, either in your own car or in a car that belongs to a friend or a family member as long as the right car insurance is in place. And for this, you’ll need learner driver insurance.
- Young Driver Insurance – Once you pass your test you’ll swap your provisional driving licence for a full driving licence. For the first time ever, you’ll be driving without supervision, possibly in a car of your own. You’ll need a new insurance policy to cover your new situation. A young driver car insurance policy will do just that.
Car Insurance for 17 and 18 Year Olds – Get a Quote Online in Minutes
At Go Girl, we specialise in affordable car insurance for 17 and 18 year old drivers. We understand your unique needs as a young driver, so we can give you the cover you need at a reasonable price.
What’s Covered by Car Insurance for 17 Year Olds and 18 Year Olds?
Choose from three levels of cover:
- Third-Party – This is the legal minimum requirement. If you cause an accident, third-party insurance will cover you for any damage caused to other people, their car, or their property. However, it will not cover you for any personal injuries, or for any damages to your own vehicle or property.
- Third-Party, Fire & Theft – This offers the same level of cover as a standard third-party policy. But it will also cover you if your car’s damaged by fire or attempted theft.
- Comprehensive – In the event of an accident, a comprehensive car insurance policy will cover you for everything, including damages to your own car or property. A Go Girl comprehensive car insurance policy will include a free courtesy car in the event of an accident, personal accident cover, legal cover, windscreen cover, and more. And you can choose to add breakdown cover for that extra piece of mind.
How Much is Car Insurance for 17 and 18 Year Olds?
How much you pay for your car insurance will depend on multiple factors. A major factor is the car you drive, as cars from higher insurance groups cost more to insure. Different insurers will charge different rates, and the level of cover you choose will also determine the price of your premium.
Want to know how much car insurance will cost for you? It depends on your circumstances. But if you just tell us a few things about yourself, we can give you a free quote online in minutes.
One thing’s for sure, though: Car insurance for 17 and 18 year olds costs more than car insurance for older and more experienced drivers.
Why is Insurance for 17 and 18 Year Olds So Expensive?
It might seem unfair that 17 and 18 year olds have to pay more for car insurance than most. But insurance is all about risk, and insurers view 17 and 18 year olds as among the riskiest drivers on the roads.
If you’re new to driving, you’ll probably be nervous behind the wheel. You might not be too comfortable in stressful or unfamiliar situations, and you might struggle to drive safely in certain conditions. All of this makes it more likely than not that you’ll be involved in a car accident.
If you’re involved in a car accident, you can make a claim on your insurance policy. Insurers charge 17 and 18 year old drivers more for cover simply because they think they’re more likely to make a claim than older and more experienced drivers.
How to Get Cheap Car Insurance for 17 and 18 Year Olds
There are a few ways you can reduce the price of your car insurance policy:
- Drive a car from a lower insurance group. For numerous reasons, some cars simply cost less to insure than others.
- Take the government’s Pass Plus scheme. This is a voluntary course you can take after you get your full driving licence. It will take you through certain advanced driving conditions that you might not cover during your standard driving lessons. As it demonstrates your commitment to being a safe driver, completing the Pass Plus scheme might result in a lower premium from your insurer.
- Stay safe. The more at-risk your car is from theft, the more you’ll pay for car insurance. So if you can park your car in a populated, well-lit area – or even better, in a secure garage – you might make savings on your insurance.
- Build up a no-claims discount. This is a long-term strategy rather than an instant saving. But if you can demonstrate to your insurers that you’re a careful and considerate driver, they’ll eventually give you a discount on your policy. And the best way to demonstrate your skills as a driver is through not making any claims on your insurance. Yes, you might have to pay more for your insurance now. But commit to being as safe a driver as possible, and a few years from now you can expect to make huge savings on your insurance.
Insurance on Parents and Own Car
Another way to save money on car insurance is through becoming a named driver on someone else’s policy, such as your parents’.
However, this arrangement is not ideal for two reasons. First, it means that the price of your parents’ insurance may rise. Second, if you’re a named driver on someone else’s policy, you won’t be able to build up your no-claims discount.
So while being a named driver might save you a bit of money now, it’s better to get your own car insurance policy for your own car. This way you can immediately start to build up your no-claims discount, making significant savings in the long-term.
If you are planning on putting in more driving practice with an experienced driver like a family member or a friend, make sure that they meet with strict requirements. These include:
- their age, they must be over 21,
- the types of vehicles they are qualified to drive
- the type of licence they have.
Here’s some further useful information on who can supervise a learner driver and how.
Car Insurance for 17 and 18 Year Olds – Get a Quote Online in Minutes
At Go Girl, we specialise in affordable car insurance for 17 and 18 year old drivers. We understand your unique needs as a young driver, so we can give you the cover you need at a reasonable price.