From arranging lessons, revising for the theory test and finding the time to practise, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to learning to drive. But while you’re juggling to fit everything in, there’s one other thing you must remember to sort out – your car insurance. With advice on what to consider and how to get cheap car insurance, here’s the comparison site mustard.co.uk.
Do learner drivers need car insurance?
All drivers must be appropriately insured. The good news is that if you’re learning to drive with a driving school, car insurance will usually be included in your lessons so it’s not something you’ll need to worry about.
If you’ve got your own car, you can take out your own learner driver car insurance. If you’re using someone else’s car, you can either buy your own cover or you can ask the car owner to add you to their policy as a named driver.
Is it better to have your own car insurance or be a named driver?
This really depends on your circumstances. For instance, being a named driver can end up being the more economical option. This is because it’s assumed that you won’t be behind the wheel as much as you would if you had your own car. In the eyes of some insurers, this minimises the risk of you being involved in an accident, which is reflected in the premium.
The downside of being a named driver is that if you do have an accident and make a claim on the policy, it will impact the policyholder’s no claims bonus (unless they’ve protected it).
However, taking out your own policy as a learner driver can be considerably more expensive, but it does mean if there is an accident, it won’t affect the car owner’s policy. Having your own policy also means you can start building up your own no claims bonus.
What does learner driver car insurance cover?
Policies will cover the same events as standard car insurance so you’ll be able to choose from one of three levels of cover:
- Third party only – compensates other people for damage or injuries you cause.
- Third party, fire and theft – includes third party only cover and will also compensate you if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.
- Comprehensive – as well as third party, fire and theft, these policies cover the cost of damage to your own car if you’re held responsible for an accident.
You’ll also be able to add other features for an increase in your premium, for example, breakdown cover. It’s worth bearing in mind that most insurers only offer learner driver car insurance as a comprehensive policy. That’s not to say you can’t get third party policies, only that your choices may be limited.
How long does learner driver car insurance last?
Learner driver car insurance is usually very flexible and you’ll be able to choose policies that last for a day or several months depending on what you need. You can also buy annual policies just like standard car insurance.
What insurance will I need after I pass my driving test?
Learner driver car insurance only covers you while you’re learning to drive. As soon as you pass your test, you’ll need to update your policy. If you can’t do that straight away, you’ll need to make sure someone else with the right insurance can drive you home.
How can I get cheap car insurance?
If you’re a young driver, you can expect to pay higher than average premiums. This is down to the fact that under 25s are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident. Nevertheless, there are ways to keep costs down, including:
- Paying for your policy annually– monthly instalments typically include interest fees which increase the overall cost of your policy.
- Increasing your voluntary excess – doing this can lower your total premium, but remember that you’ll need to pay it for a claim to go ahead; so, make sure it’s affordable.
- Consider a telematics policy – these policies monitor your driving using a telematics or ‘black box’ device, and premiums are then calculated according to how you drive. If you drive consistently well based on acceleration, braking and cornering, you could see insurance costs fall faster compared to other policies.
Compare policies – comparing a range of quotes from different providers really is one of the quickest and easiest ways to find great value car cover. At comparison sites like mustard.co.uk, you can compare dozens of leading insurers simply by answering a few questions. You can start a quote online right now or speak to an expert on 0330 022 8825.
