If you’ve just passed your test and purchased your new car, congratulations! You’ll soon be able to enjoy the freedom of driving wherever you want, whenever, without having to rely on taxis or public transport.
But before you can get behind the wheel, there are a few complicated admin tasks to sort out first, and one of those is car insurance.
As a new driver, you’ll probably be confused and overwhelmed by all the car insurance options out there. You’re likely to quickly settle for a package that seems like it’s a good deal, simply to get the hassle over and done with quickly. But it’s worth taking some time to learn about car insurance before you spend your money, so you know you’re making the best investment.
This article discusses everything you need to know about buying car insurance as a new driver.
Understanding your options
First, it’s important to understand your options.
Assuming that this is your first time buying car insurance, you will need to choose fully comprehensive or third-party protection. You might assume that third-party cover is cheaper, but this isn’t always the case.
The reality is that it’s typically the riskier drivers who buy the lowest level of cover, and as a result, the cost has increased. So, sometimes (though not always), it’s actually cheaper to go for a fully comprehensive insurance. It might sound unbelievable, but you will come across deals where the greater cover is less expensive, so make sure to look at both options when you’re considering a provider.
Shopping smart
The best way to get a great deal on your insurance is by comparing different providers. So, when you’re shopping for new insurance and when you come to renew your insurance at the end of every year, it’s worth putting in the time and effort to compare policies and see if you can get a better deal elsewhere.
Thankfully, this isn’t the manual task it once was, and you won’t need to spend hours scouring the internet. Instead, you can use sites like Young Car Driver, which are intentionally designed for new drivers who are looking to compare insurance policies and find the best deal.
Don’t agree on an excessive excess
The excess is a certain amount of money that you would have to pay in the event of an accident before the insurer will pick up the rest of the bill.
Many providers offer insurance that has a low cost but a high excess, and it’s best not to get tempted by these policies. Saving a bit of money every month might be nice, but not when you’re having to fund a significant bill that you can’t afford.
Final word
Finding car insurance as a first-time driver can be quite complicated, especially since new drivers are unfairly discriminated against by insurers.
Hopefully, this guide has given you the knowledge to confidently search for car insurance. Remember, compare policies and read the fine print—it’s important to know exactly what you’re signing up for before you spend your money.
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