Turning 18 and getting your driving license is a major milestone – you now have the freedom to drive yourself around and it can be quite exciting. Once you get your first vehicle you will be tasked with the responsibility of making sure it is insured or that you at least have coverage for damage to any other vehicles in the unfortunate event of an accident that is your fault. Young drivers are often taken advantage of by insurance companies as they are often not aware of what coverage they need and how much they should be paying.

Turning 18

New drivers are generally expected to pay higher premium than drivers who are older than 30 as they have less experience on the roads. It has been found that new drivers are charged up to 25% more than more experienced drivers, the main reason being that new or inexperienced drivers are more likely to end up having a car accident and claiming from insurance.

Which type of insurance?

When deciding on which type of insurance cover to get, you can choose between comprehensive and third-party car insurance. Comprehensive insurance is generally more expensive but might save you money later if your car incurs damages or requires maintenance. Third-party insurance is more cost effective and a good option to go for if your car is older and any damages are not likely to cost a fortune to fix yourself.

Higher risk

Unfortunately, new drivers are higher risk to insure and this is likely to be reflected in your first 12 months of car insurance. The best thing to do is to work towards reducing your car insurance going forward. It is recommended that new drivers practice as much as possible when starting out on the road and avoid any accidents, claims and traffic fines to prove to their insurers that they are low risk. Going on an advanced driving course could also help save you money on your premiums.

Save money

Another easy way to save money as a new driver is to avoid your car insurance being automatically renewed. When your insurance term is almost up, take the time to look at other options or ask your current insurance policy to re-quote you based on your driving history.

When signing up for a new insurance policy, make sure you go through all the terms and conditions and understand exactly what you are covered for and your agreed excess plan. Be aware of scams and make sure you are using reputable comparison websites like Compare Insurance!