Car insurance for 17-year-olds

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Driving at 17-years-old

You are legally allowed to drive in the UK when you reach 17 and it can be an exciting time, but the costs can seem daunting. Not only do you have to pay for lessons and tests in order to get your licence and be on the road, but you also have to take out a car insurance policy.

If you are still learning to drive at 17 then there are specialist learner driver insurance policies that you can take out, but once you have passed your test you will have a number of different insurance options available to you.

Why is car insurance more expensive for 17-year-olds?

You may feel like a confident driver after you've passed your test, but young drivers are deemed a high risk for insurers because of their inexperience.

Statistically, young drivers are the most likely to be involved in a road accident and therefore the most likely to make an insurance claim. According to the road safety charity Brake , 23% of those between 18 and 24 years old crash within two years of passing their practical driving test. Drivers between 17 and 19 only make up 1.5% of all driving licence holders in the UK, but are involved in nearly 10% of all road traffic accidents.

How can I reduce the cost of car insurance as a 17-year-old?

There are ways to reduce the cost of your car insurance as a young driver. We’ve put together a few helpful tips to keep the price down:

• Car choice – your car choice will have a huge effect on the cost of your insurance premium. Make sure you choose a car that is in a lower insurance group band to avoid paying a high premium.
• Security – the more securely you keep your car, the lower your insurance policy is likely to cost. For example, if you keep your car in a locked, private garage then it will be safer than if it is kept parked on a public road.
• Named driver – by adding an additional, more experienced driver to your policy, such as a parent, you may be able to reduce the cost of your policy. If you do this, make sure you are honest about who the main driver of the vehicle is; if you lie your policy will be invalidated when you go to claim.
• Clean licence – if you pick up any penalty points then your insurance costs will increase. Make sure you drive responsibly.
• Advanced learning – you can improve your driving skills after you pass your test by paying for specialised driving courses, such as the government's Pass Plus scheme. Insurers may see you as a less risky driver if you can provide evidence of completing an advanced driving course and reduce the cost of your insurance policy.
• Voluntary excess – when you claim on insurance, the first part of the claim (the “excess”) is paid by you. By increasing this excess, you can decrease your premium.
• Mileage – when choosing an insurance policy, you will be asked by the provider to state how many miles you expect to drive every year. Make sure that you give an accurate estimation so you're not in danger of over-paying, as is often the case.
• Pay upfront – by paying your annual insurance upfront rather than in monthly instalments you can reduce the total amount you pay. We understand that this isn't always possible.
• Compare – use our helpful comparison tools to compare car insurance companies and find the best deal for you. Taking the extra time to compare could save you hundreds of pounds.

Black box insurance

Black box car insurance is an optional add-on to a standard car insurance policy that can reduce the cost of your insurance premium if you are willing to prove you are a safe driver. Your insurance provider will fit a piece of telematics equipment – known as a black box – to your car in order to monitor and set your premiums based on your driving habits. A black box policy may be a good option for young drivers, as you can get cheaper car insurance if you can show your insurer that you drive safely and sensibly.