Young Drivers Can Help Themselves to Reduce Car Insurance Premiums

All young drivers are not bad or dangerous drivers; however, insurers have no way of differentiating between the responsible one’s and the reckless ones and view all novice motorists as high risk.

Figures show that one in four of those killed in a car accident in the UK are under the age of 25 years old, yet only one driver in ten is actually younger than 25 years. These statistics mean that responsible drivers face the same high premiums as those of the same age group who adopt an unsafe approach to motoring.

Pass Plus is a programme available for young drivers who wish to reduce the insurance premiums on offer to them, by attending six driving lesson to prove they are roadworthy. The course involves driving at night and motorway driving following the successful completion of the usual driving test. This qualification is now being recognised by a number of companies, helping to reduce young driver car insurance costs.

Some insurers have reduced premiums by 50 per cent for those successfully passing the programme, but the degree of saving varies depending on the rate band in which the vehicle is kept and the length of time before a claim is made. A vehicle owner who lives in a city that has a high premium rating and does not make a claim for four years can make savings in excess of £1,000.

Attempts to find a solution of high insurance costs for new drivers came on the back of a Greenaway review that looked at the problem of uninsured motorists. The review highlighted the need to find ways to make obtaining cheaper insurance premiums easier for young drivers. This, it was hoped would encourage more novice motorists to take out a policy and in turn encourage responsible and safer driving, reducing the number of road accidents that involve people under 25 years old.

One insurance expert blamed some of the cars that young people first purchase, saying that buying a more modest make and model of vehicle could also be a way of reducing premiums. That believe that whilst it is tempting for young people to drive vehicles that have been modified for higher performance levels with brash accessories, many would benefit from far lower insurance costs by purchasing an ordinary less flashy model, which also tend to encourage more responsible driving.

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