You may recently have read one of the many articles published announcing that several leading motor insurance providers have taken the decision to refuse quotes to young drivers.
Leading brands such as Swiftcover, More Th>n and Esure have apparently decided that young drivers are more trouble than they’re worth.
And when you look at some of the statistics being thrown around you can see where they are coming from:
• An eighteen year old is three times as likely as his/her parents to have an accident whilst driving.
• 17-25 year olds hold just 10% of all driving licenses but cause more than 20% of car accidents.
• One in three young male drivers will write off a car in their first year of driving.
• 25% of the convictions for causing death by dangerous driving are for drivers under 20
You can read even more of these “alarming” statistics here and here.
Other car insurance companies to take this step include; Sheilas' Wheels, Marks & Spencer and AXA and with more providers likely to follow suit this isn’t a small problem than can simply be ignored.
Now why these articles and stats make for good reading the truth is there are many young drivers out there, who drive responsibly and safely, who are suffering higher car insurance premiums due to actions of the minority.
Car insurance premiums for young drivers have historically always been high and this latest development will only make it more difficult to secure a reasonably priced policy.
But as the title says, all is not lost; there are many steps young drivers can take to help lower the cost of their insurance, such as:
• Avoiding modifications
• Driving a car with a smaller engine
• Going on your own insurance and building up no claims bonus
• Taking the Pass Plus course
• Offering a higher voluntary excess
• Shopping around online
• Limiting your mileage
• Looking for rapid bonus schemes to build no claims bonus more quickly
• Paying upfront rather than monthly
• Improving security
• Looking for worthwhile cash back offers
• Considering specialist insurance companies
• Insuring Third-Party Only if the car is relatively cheap
All these options are covered in greater detail in our ultimate guide to young driver car insurance.
