CAR INSURANCE FOR NEW DRIVERS

Get cheap car insurance for new drivers online

If you've just passed your driving test and can't wait to get out on the road, here's how to keep your car insurance costs down.

Why is car insurance for new drivers so expensive?

Unfortunately, inexperienced motorists are seen as a big risk for insurers and this is reflected in the price of car insurance for new drivers. Statistically, one in five new drivers are involved in a crash within the first 12 months of passing their test and motorists between the ages of 17 and 25 are responsible for a third of all fatalities on the road.

Women drivers and the ECJ ruling

Traditionally, women drivers have had a slightly easier ride when it comes to car insurance. Again, statistics have influenced insurance providers as women are less likely to drive dangerously and make claims, with men receiving 92% of total driving convictions in the UK. However, in December 2012 this all changed with a ruling from the European Court of Justice stating that insurers could no longer take gender into account when calculating premiums. Therefore, new female drivers are likely to experience higher premiums than they would have done in the past.

Could black box insurance help?

One option which could result in cheaper new driver car insurance quotes and also help female motorists overcome the ECJ ruling is black box insurance.

This is a relatively new form of car insurance where a vehicle is fitted with a ‘black box’ data recording device which is about the size of a smartphone. The device records driving performance – taking into account whether speed limits are adhered to and also monitoring cornering and braking. This helps the insurer build up a profile of the policy holder and offer them premiums which take into account their overall performance and the statistical likelihood of them being involved in accidents.