Top tips for getting the best insurance deal for young drivers

As a young driver looking to insure a car it is often the case that premiums will be relatively high. This is because younger drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident. However, there are things that you can do as a young driver to help yourself get the cheapest possible car insurance:

• Try to get as many insurance quotes as you can from as many insurance companies as possible.
  
• The building up of a no claims bonus is a great longer term way to begin to reduce you car insurance premiums as a younger driver. The percentage discounts that you can achieve are fairly sizeable (starting at around the 30% level) but also, by not having a no claims bonus, there are a number of insurance schemes available in the who will be unable to even provide you with a quote.
• When you are deciding which car to buy there are a number of decisions that you can make to help keep your premiums low, for example, the lower the engine capacity, generally, the lower your premium will be. Get insurance quotes online for different cars to see which ones may be best suited to keeping your premiums as low as possible.
  
• You may wish to take the Pass Plus training programme, which is aimed at the new, young driver. It has been set up by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) along with many top insurers and driving instruction organisations. Consisting of six practical lessons including driving in town, in different weather conditions, at night, etc, the training is designed to help to make you a safer driver, and in turn, enable insurance companies to offer you discounts.
• Look at what choices you have to increase your voluntary excess. As a younger driver your excess could be reasonably high already as you may have age excesses which apply to your policy so make sure you are able to make your excess payment if you end up making a claim.
• It is recommended that the car that you are insuring has no modifications on it. Insurance companies tend to charge much more if modifications have been made. Most insurers are still able to insure cars with modifications for young drivers.
• Have a Thatcham approved alarm installed by a professional, this can often save you in the region of 10% on your premiums. If it not professionally installed your insurance company may not recognise it for a premium reduction.
• By parking your car either off road or in a garage, as a young driver, you could reduce your premium by roughly 5% compared with storing it on the road.
• If your annual mileage is low you might be entitled to a mileage discount. However, do not be tempted to deliberately underestimate your mileage as this can lead to issues should you need to make a claim.
• By adding an older driver such as a parent to your policy you will be offered a marginal reduction on your premium.
• Make a choice on the cover you need as Third Party only, Third Party fire and theft and comprehensive cover are all priced differently. As a young driver, it could be worthwhile getting quotes for all.

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