Car insurance can be expensive - no doubt about it. But there are ways of dropping the price and saving some cash every month. Here, we’ve broken down some new driver insurance tips that could help you do this, to ensure you can get out on the road in no time.
New driver insurance tips
- Choose the right car
- Select cover that works for you
- Add a second named driver
- Don’t modify your car
- Opt for a lower value vehicle
- Improve the security of your car
1. Pick the right car
It’s important you choose a car that is going to cost less to insure - that means probably no 4x4s or SUVs, but an easy to maintain run-around with a smaller engine. We’ve put together a post with a breakdown of the best cars for new drivers, here on the blog - check this out for inspiration before you spend your weekend touring the local car dealerships.
2. Choose cover that works for you
You’d be forgiven for thinking that third party car insurance must be the cheapest option but it’s worth checking out comprehensive car insurance too - it usually isn’t much more and offers peace of mind when it comes to cover.
Comprehensive insurance means that you’re protected in a range of situations, whether an accident is your fault or not, if your car is broken into or if it’s damaged by fire. Of course, we don’t want any of these things to happen, but it’s important you’re prepared.
Black box - or telematics - insurance is also a really great way of saving money, as it rewards you over time for careful driving. Here at WiseDriving, we review how you’ve been driving every month and adjust what you pay based on this.
3. Add a second (or even third) driver
This needs to be someone over the age of 25, who has been driving for a few years with a clean history of driving offences. Having them added to your insurance policy as a named driver brings down the average risk of your insurance policy and therefore the price you pay.
We recommend adding your parents to your policy. If they have any advanced driving experience - for example, if one of them is a police officer or has a licence to drive larger vehicles - this can help reduce the price even more. Bear in mind though, they will need to drive the car at some point to ensure the policy isn’t void.
4. Avoid modifying your car
Tinted windows and a twin exhaust may look really cool - but they won’t do you any favours when it comes to insuring your car. If you make changes to the car, this will impact the price you pay for insurance.
5. Choose a lower value car
It’s safe to say, a top end, high spec motor is going to cost you more to insure - simply because if you need to make a claim, it will cost the insurance company more to replace or repair it. This is why opting for a lower value car is often the best choice - and these lower spec motors are actually great for new drivers as they are easy to handle, don’t come with any complicated features and are cheap to fix.
6. Up the security
One way you can try to reduce your insurance pricing is by keeping your car secure. You should try to leave your car somewhere safe when it isn’t being driven - this is one of the main questions insurers ask when you’re trying to get a quote. On your driveway at home, in a well-lit street is the best option - public car parks or busy roads may have an impact on the price. If you can get it in a garage, even better - although we all know that’s where chest freezers, bikes and tools live these days.
Ready to save some cash? Try out these new driver insurance tips when you’re getting quotes and see just how much cheaper you could get your car insurance.
