Young and 1st Time Drivers
How to keep your insurance premiums low
QUINN-direct
So you've got your first car, you've just passed your test and you can't wait
to get out on the open road and test out your new wheels. You're ready to enjoy
the freedom of having your own transport but the cost of insurance is a hurdle
you've got to face. How can you afford to insure your pride and joy, and get
that car out of the driveway and onto the road?
We've compiled a list of our top 5 tips for young or 1st time drivers on how to keep
your insurance premium lower. If you take on the following points, we'll be sure
to give you a quote that is one of the most competitive in the market place.
The bad news especially if you're young, male and a 1st time driver is that statistically
you're a higher risk and most insurers will put a hefty loading on your premium for
this reason alone.
The good news is QUINN-direct aren't like most insurers and we look
more favourably on 1st time drivers. We also offer introductory discounts to 1st
time policy holders who have previous named driving experience on another person's
policy.
Here's our list of recommendations to help keep your premium low:
1. Type of car
Don't choose a high power engine, 'hot hatch' or luxury car as your first vehicle.
These types of car are typically more expensive to insure, especially for young
and 1st time drivers. We'd recommend buying a car with a smaller engine size,
is of a standard model and free of modifications. A 3 or 5 door hatchback in
or around the 1 Litre capacity, or a car in the insurance group no. 4 or below
may be best for you (see parkers.co.uk for
groupings).
2. Value of your car
The lower the value of your car, the cheaper your car insurance is likely to
be. Don't go out and buy the biggest, flashiest, most expensive car you can afford.
If you're reading this article, you're looking at ways to save money and high
value, flashy cars are considered a high risk. Again if you keep to a good, reliable
2nd hand car that doesn't cost the earth, this will help reduce your premium
(see suggested cars in point 1).
3. Type of cover
Get third party fire and theft cover. Third party cover is the minimum amount
of cover you need to have to legally drive on the road. This type of cover will
protect you against damage to other people's property or injury you may cause
to them.
Third party fire and theft also covers you for loss or damage caused by fire
or theft to your own vehicle. It does not cover any accidental damage you may
cause to your own vehicle.
Comprehensive cover is a bit more expensive, however in addition to what's covered
by third party fire & theft, it protects you for accidental damage to your
own vehicle.
All the above are obviously subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
4. Keep a clean license
Be sensible, drive safely, avoid penalty points and convictions. Look at doing
the pass plus driving training (www.passplus.org.uk)
as we offer a discount to customers who successfully complete all the modules.
Any points or convictions relating to dangerous driving will undoubtedly influence
your premium. Never ever drink and drive or speed. A young driver with any of
these types of convictions on their record is likely to find it impossible to
get insurance and if they do, it's likely to be so expensive that it won't be
worth your while.
If you keep accident and claims free for the duration of the cover, when you
renew your insurance you will be entitled to a 'No Claims Bonus' discount for
the previous year of safe driving.
5. Limit the number of drivers
When you're getting your insurance quote, limit the cover to yourself and the
minimum number of named drivers necessary. If you add lots of named drivers this
increases the risk on your policy and pushes your premium higher. You could choose
to have 'Open Drive' on your policy and this feature entitles other full license
holders to drive your car (with your permission) with Third Party, Fire and Theft
cover.. However, this option will again drive up the cost of your policy.
We understand that getting insurance cover for the first time can be a costly
business so if you follow our advice, you can reduce your insurance premium.
Remember that driving without insurance is illegal and if you are involved in
an accident that is your fault, you will have no protection against the unlimited
expense involved, not to mention the legal consequences of not having insurance
cover.
It's not all doom and gloom, if you start driving now and begin to build up a
history of accident free driving with no claims, it won't be long before you
will have a good driving record and a 'No Claims Bonus' entitlement that will
dramatically reduce the cost of your cover.
