Student car insurance

Why is car insurance for students so expensive?

Whether you’re already a uni student, or a 17-year-old driver, running a car is going to be expensive.

The reasons for this include:

• Age - insurance providers know that young drivers, the group that students are most likely to belong to, are more likely to have accidents, so the cost of premiums in the first few years is going to reflect that risk.

• Lack of no-claims discount as a young driver, you won’t have had the time to build up a no claims discount. Once you do, it can help reduce your car insurance premiums.

• Where you live can also affect your insurance premiums. If you live in a big town or city, leave your car parked overnight on the street, or live in an area where car crime rates are high, the risk of something happening to your car is higher, so your premium probably will be too.

How can I reduce the cost of student car insurance?

Car insurance is often costly, but the good news is that there are ways you can make it more affordable.

• Choose a practical car
  A smaller car with a smaller engine will most likely fall into a lower insurance group. Not only will it be cheaper to insure, but probably cheaper to run as well.
• Pay your premium in one go
  It’s typically cheaper to pay your yearly insurance in one lump sum. A monthly payment plan will most probably have interest charges on top of the instalments.
• Shop around
  Simply comparing different quotes with our comparison service could save you money and it will only take you a matter of minutes.
• Check different levels of cover
  Most of us assume that third party insurance is the cheapest cover and comprehensive the most expensive, but that’s not always the case. If price is a priority, check a range of cover types to see if a cheaper premium could suit your needs.
• Increase your voluntary excess
  Car insurance excess is the amount you’ll have to pay when you make a claim, before your insurance kicks in. If you’re under 25, some insurance providers may also require you to pay an additional young driver excess, as they consider you high risk. Increasing your voluntary excess could mean a cheaper monthly premium. Just make sure you can afford the compulsory excess set by your insurance provider, as well as your voluntary excess and any young driver excess, if you need to make a claim.
• Improve security
  Fitting additional security, such as an industry approved alarm or immobiliser to your car could help reduce your premiums (if your car doesn’t already have either of these). You need to assess the one-off costs against any insurance savings you might make, so check with your insurance provider first about any possible discount. 
• Look for secure parking
  When you’re shopping around for student accommodation, add off street parking – or better yet, space in a garage – to your list of needs. If you can assure your insurance provider that you have secure off road parking you may get a lower quote for your car insurance.
• Add an experienced driver
  If you can add an experienced driver who also uses the car (for example, a parent or older sibling) to your policy, it could save you money. Even someone who drives the car occasionally could make a difference, as long as they’re an experienced driver with a good driving record. Just remember, they should actually drive the car every now and again. Don’t put them forward as the main driver if this isn’t the case. Doing so is known as car insurance fronting and is illegal.
• Limit your mileage
  Your insurance provider will need to know how many miles you think you’ll drive in a year. If you’re likely to use your car only during holidays or at the weekends, then declaring a low annual mileage estimation could cut the cost of your premium.
• Take out telematics cover
  A black box, or telematics policy refers to a small device placed in your car, or an app you can download to your phone. It monitors how you’re driving, then sends the information to your insurance provider. If you drive well, they may reward you with a lower premium. It’s an incentive for motorists to drive more safely.
• Pay as you go
  Pay-per-mile car insurance charges you for the number of miles you drive, plus a flat fee that covers your car against damage or theft while it’s parked. If you’re not a frequent driver, this could be a cheaper option for you.
• Build up your no claims discount
  Some factors – like your age and years of driving experience – are out of your control, but if you drive safely, pay for any small repairs yourself, and start to build up your no claims discount, you’ll gradually start to the see the benefit when the time comes to renew your policy.
• Avoid modifications 
  Cars that have been modified from their factory settings are considered high risk by insurance providers, as they’re often more appealing to thieves.
• Take a Pass Plus course
  If you’ve just passed your test, you could consider taking a Pass Plus qualification in the first year. It’s a bit more advanced than standard driving lessons and should give you practical experience of dealing with different situations. Some insurance providers will take this into consideration and may offer a discount on your car insurance. See more on the Pass Plus Scheme.

What do I need to get a quote?

Getting a quote with Comparethemarket is easy. You’ll just need to give us a few details about you and your car, including:

• Your car registration 
• What you use your car for 
• Where you keep your car 
• Your annual mileage 
• Where you live 
• Your driving history 

Once you’ve filled in our online form, we’ll show you a list of quotes to choose from.