New Driver Car Insurance
Discussion
It seems like overnight we've gone from a constantly smiley toddler on his balance bike, to a spotty, emotional teen who is now in need of a first car. I've got to give him some respect though, his first idea was an old 944 that he'd fix himself, assuming that old = cheap first car 
It's looking like we'll get him him a Seat Ibiza but I would be interested in hearing what your kids insurance costs were Vs their cars insurance group.
Most of the cars I've looked at are between groups 2>5 so I would be extremely grateful if folks would be willing to share:
the car (in case there is an obvious sweat spot of cheap and fun);
its insurance group;
and annual costs.
At group 5, they're cooler looking exterior wise, and the interior is a nicer place to be...but not if it's an extra few hundred quid a year.
Both his mum and I would be on the insurance for occasional commuter use if that makes much difference.
It's looking like we'll get him him a Seat Ibiza but I would be interested in hearing what your kids insurance costs were Vs their cars insurance group.
Most of the cars I've looked at are between groups 2>5 so I would be extremely grateful if folks would be willing to share:
the car (in case there is an obvious sweat spot of cheap and fun);
its insurance group;
and annual costs.
At group 5, they're cooler looking exterior wise, and the interior is a nicer place to be...but not if it's an extra few hundred quid a year.
Both his mum and I would be on the insurance for occasional commuter use if that makes much difference.
Having just gone through this, the standard answer is that learner insurance (Sterling, Collingwood, etc) is dirt cheap ~£200/year with mum and dad added. Once they've passed their test, then costs rocket, our daughter is now paying (fortunately from her wages) ~£1,500 for her 1st year's insurance.
As regards cars, mine wanted a Fiat 500 and nothing else, obviously it's a bit of a 'girly' car, but the Ibiza is a good choice, Polo underpinnings with none of the Polo image.
As regards cars, mine wanted a Fiat 500 and nothing else, obviously it's a bit of a 'girly' car, but the Ibiza is a good choice, Polo underpinnings with none of the Polo image.
Do look at VEL prices.
There is a world of difference between a £35 a year Fiat Panda and my son's first car, an MR2 Mk 3 at around 350. He is planning on selling that after a lay-up and now has a diesel Peugeot 306.
2nd gen Fiat Pandas are my go-to cars and I'm 66
Great fun, easy to fix etc.
There is a world of difference between a £35 a year Fiat Panda and my son's first car, an MR2 Mk 3 at around 350. He is planning on selling that after a lay-up and now has a diesel Peugeot 306.
2nd gen Fiat Pandas are my go-to cars and I'm 66
Great fun, easy to fix etc.Having recently gone through similar we have quotes for anything like an Ibiza, Fiesta, Corsa. Polo etc very high, despite living in a low risk area.
Up / Citigo, i10, Picanto is where the sensible premiums are at - we went with an Up and was great car, surprisingly refined, quick enough in 75bhp form and very cheap to run
Up / Citigo, i10, Picanto is where the sensible premiums are at - we went with an Up and was great car, surprisingly refined, quick enough in 75bhp form and very cheap to run
Just been through this in the past weeks:
2015 Ford B-Max 1.0 Titanium
Value £8k
Group 12 (according to Parkers)
£1550 fully comp with parents as named drivers
No telematics
It s my former station car, so still with me as the RK but correctly insured with child as main driver and policy in their name.
ETA: there was almost £400 difference with the same insurer between Confused and CompareTheMarket.
2015 Ford B-Max 1.0 Titanium
Value £8k
Group 12 (according to Parkers)
£1550 fully comp with parents as named drivers
No telematics
It s my former station car, so still with me as the RK but correctly insured with child as main driver and policy in their name.
ETA: there was almost £400 difference with the same insurer between Confused and CompareTheMarket.
LooneyTunes said:
Just been through this in the past weeks:
2015 Ford B-Max 1.0 Titanium
Value £8k
Group 12 (according to Parkers)
£1550 fully comp with parents as named drivers
No telematics
It s my former station car, so still with me as the RK but correctly insured with child as main driver and policy in their name.
ETA: there was almost £400 difference with the same insurer between Confused and CompareTheMarket.
Strange the way insurance works isn't it... a few years ago when the Goddaughter was 17 and needing a first car, the absolute cheapest to insure that I could find (and I ran several dozen through the usual online suspects) was a 1.7 Kia Sportage, about 10 years old. It was hundreds cheaper than the standard "my first car" polo, fiesta etc.2015 Ford B-Max 1.0 Titanium
Value £8k
Group 12 (according to Parkers)
£1550 fully comp with parents as named drivers
No telematics
It s my former station car, so still with me as the RK but correctly insured with child as main driver and policy in their name.
ETA: there was almost £400 difference with the same insurer between Confused and CompareTheMarket.
Ignore insurance groups completely, they are irrelevant after a couple of years.
Insurance groups are used to give an indication of new cars likely repair costs so that insurance companies have an idea how to price them.
However after a few years the insurance industry will all the data they need on crash statistics, repair costs and the age profile of who has caused loss.
Their actuarials will then have all they need to price their insurance accordingly. This is why it's always worth looking at insurance costs for unusual/niche choices as the insurance cost will often be a lot less than traditional 'first car' choices.
My first car was a rover 216 with 105bhp 1.6 Most of my mates were in c1.0 47bhpish fiesta's and nova's. My insurance was a fraction of theirs because more people crash small fiesta's than grandad cars!
Insurance groups are used to give an indication of new cars likely repair costs so that insurance companies have an idea how to price them.
However after a few years the insurance industry will all the data they need on crash statistics, repair costs and the age profile of who has caused loss.
Their actuarials will then have all they need to price their insurance accordingly. This is why it's always worth looking at insurance costs for unusual/niche choices as the insurance cost will often be a lot less than traditional 'first car' choices.
My first car was a rover 216 with 105bhp 1.6 Most of my mates were in c1.0 47bhpish fiesta's and nova's. My insurance was a fraction of theirs because more people crash small fiesta's than grandad cars!
Many thanks all.
Sone useful insights. I was assuming about a 1k to 1500 for first year of insurance so based on that grp 12 quote you had, it may be closer to 1k for groups 2-5.
The Up was my first choice as lighter so more fun. The R Line version is still low group but looks great in that Bugatti blue colour. Too small though according to him...which is a shame as I like them.
Keep them coming please, and any recommendations for insurers.
Sone useful insights. I was assuming about a 1k to 1500 for first year of insurance so based on that grp 12 quote you had, it may be closer to 1k for groups 2-5.
The Up was my first choice as lighter so more fun. The R Line version is still low group but looks great in that Bugatti blue colour. Too small though according to him...which is a shame as I like them.
Keep them coming please, and any recommendations for insurers.
QuattroDave said:
Ignore insurance groups completely, they are irrelevant after a couple of years.
Insurance groups are used to give an indication of new cars likely repair costs so that insurance companies have an idea how to price them.
However after a few years the insurance industry will all the data they need on crash statistics, repair costs and the age profile of who has caused loss.
Their actuarials will then have all they need to price their insurance accordingly. This is why it's always worth looking at insurance costs for unusual/niche choices as the insurance cost will often be a lot less than traditional 'first car' choices.
My first car was a rover 216 with 105bhp 1.6 Most of my mates were in c1.0 47bhpish fiesta's and nova's. My insurance was a fraction of theirs because more people crash small fiesta's than grandad cars!
I did wonder whether there were any odd-ball choices for something fun and affordable.Insurance groups are used to give an indication of new cars likely repair costs so that insurance companies have an idea how to price them.
However after a few years the insurance industry will all the data they need on crash statistics, repair costs and the age profile of who has caused loss.
Their actuarials will then have all they need to price their insurance accordingly. This is why it's always worth looking at insurance costs for unusual/niche choices as the insurance cost will often be a lot less than traditional 'first car' choices.
My first car was a rover 216 with 105bhp 1.6 Most of my mates were in c1.0 47bhpish fiesta's and nova's. My insurance was a fraction of theirs because more people crash small fiesta's than grandad cars!
TGCOTF-dewey said:
QuattroDave said:
Ignore insurance groups completely, they are irrelevant after a couple of years.
Insurance groups are used to give an indication of new cars likely repair costs so that insurance companies have an idea how to price them.
However after a few years the insurance industry will all the data they need on crash statistics, repair costs and the age profile of who has caused loss.
Their actuarials will then have all they need to price their insurance accordingly. This is why it's always worth looking at insurance costs for unusual/niche choices as the insurance cost will often be a lot less than traditional 'first car' choices.
My first car was a rover 216 with 105bhp 1.6 Most of my mates were in c1.0 47bhpish fiesta's and nova's. My insurance was a fraction of theirs because more people crash small fiesta's than grandad cars!
I did wonder whether there were any odd-ball choices for something fun and affordable.Insurance groups are used to give an indication of new cars likely repair costs so that insurance companies have an idea how to price them.
However after a few years the insurance industry will all the data they need on crash statistics, repair costs and the age profile of who has caused loss.
Their actuarials will then have all they need to price their insurance accordingly. This is why it's always worth looking at insurance costs for unusual/niche choices as the insurance cost will often be a lot less than traditional 'first car' choices.
My first car was a rover 216 with 105bhp 1.6 Most of my mates were in c1.0 47bhpish fiesta's and nova's. My insurance was a fraction of theirs because more people crash small fiesta's than grandad cars!
QuattroDave said:
Ignore insurance groups completely, they are irrelevant after a couple of years.
Insurance groups are used to give an indication of new cars likely repair costs so that insurance companies have an idea how to price them.
However after a few years the insurance industry will all the data they need on crash statistics, repair costs and the age profile of who has caused loss.
Their actuarials will then have all they need to price their insurance accordingly. This is why it's always worth looking at insurance costs for unusual/niche choices as the insurance cost will often be a lot less than traditional 'first car' choices.
My first car was a rover 216 with 105bhp 1.6 Most of my mates were in c1.0 47bhpish fiesta's and nova's. My insurance was a fraction of theirs because more people crash small fiesta's than grandad cars!
Exactly this.Insurance groups are used to give an indication of new cars likely repair costs so that insurance companies have an idea how to price them.
However after a few years the insurance industry will all the data they need on crash statistics, repair costs and the age profile of who has caused loss.
Their actuarials will then have all they need to price their insurance accordingly. This is why it's always worth looking at insurance costs for unusual/niche choices as the insurance cost will often be a lot less than traditional 'first car' choices.
My first car was a rover 216 with 105bhp 1.6 Most of my mates were in c1.0 47bhpish fiesta's and nova's. My insurance was a fraction of theirs because more people crash small fiesta's than grandad cars!
Child has been looking at BMW/Merc V8s (7 / E-class / S-class) from the early 2000s.
All cheaper to insure than the B-Max! Even a classic Royce came in cheaper.
My first cars were all classics, so pushing against an open door. Mother less keen unless it has ABS/airbags etc. but something interesting will arrive when a year's NCD has been achieved....
ETA: we simply took the cheapest learner policy and then binned it as soon as a pass was secured. They were being really opaque about what the pricing would be when passed, so just started again from fresh.
Edited by LooneyTunes on Tuesday 17th March 12:16
All 3 children insured through Admiral from day 1 as learners and then once passed.
Benefit was they accrued that all important first years NCB irrespective of when in the year they passed.
2 had Fiesta's and 1 had a Ibiza.
Policies all in their names with us as Named Drivers and mileage limited to 7k each policy.
Benefit was they accrued that all important first years NCB irrespective of when in the year they passed.
2 had Fiesta's and 1 had a Ibiza.
Policies all in their names with us as Named Drivers and mileage limited to 7k each policy.
QuattroDave said:
That's pretty much the only fun with getting insurance for a newly qualified (especially one where you're bankrolling some or all of it!) is looking around at oddball choices and seeing which ones are cheap to insure (being it's the single biggest cost). Have fun!
Defender 90 300TDi was cheapest for our new drivers and so that’s what we added to the drive for them to share. Was fun running the oddball searches linked with Autotrader open!Familymad said:
QuattroDave said:
That's pretty much the only fun with getting insurance for a newly qualified (especially one where you're bankrolling some or all of it!) is looking around at oddball choices and seeing which ones are cheap to insure (being it's the single biggest cost). Have fun!
Defender 90 300TDi was cheapest for our new drivers and so that s what we added to the drive for them to share. Was fun running the oddball searches linked with Autotrader open!Had a lightweight S3 so off to look.
TGCOTF-dewey said:
Familymad said:
QuattroDave said:
That's pretty much the only fun with getting insurance for a newly qualified (especially one where you're bankrolling some or all of it!) is looking around at oddball choices and seeing which ones are cheap to insure (being it's the single biggest cost). Have fun!
Defender 90 300TDi was cheapest for our new drivers and so that s what we added to the drive for them to share. Was fun running the oddball searches linked with Autotrader open!Had a lightweight S3 so off to look.
Had both kids go through this in the last few years.......nervous is one word i would use, even if miss placed, but i still worry.
Fiat Panda 1.2 Gen 2 was both their first cars. Reliable, easy to fix and cheap parts for a few consumables each year (lower control arm was £35 and 3 bolts), exhaust was £250 for full system from cat and a think a rear shock was something like £20 and 2 bolts. £35 tax as well.
1st Child was circa £800 a year, this jumped to £1400 with second as insurance had simply gone up. Them as the owner and main driver, no telematics and wife and I as named drivers (this helped). Year 2 saw a big drop for both, less so now until 25 i guess
At 20 and 21 they now have Ka and UP as these had useful things like Aux/USB connections to stereos and Air con, so a bit more future proof and felt more refined.
Will be looking to help eldest move into something bigger as he does more motorway and carries a few people, but really struggling with ideas as everything new/nearly new is so dull and frankly uninspiring.
Fiat Panda 1.2 Gen 2 was both their first cars. Reliable, easy to fix and cheap parts for a few consumables each year (lower control arm was £35 and 3 bolts), exhaust was £250 for full system from cat and a think a rear shock was something like £20 and 2 bolts. £35 tax as well.
1st Child was circa £800 a year, this jumped to £1400 with second as insurance had simply gone up. Them as the owner and main driver, no telematics and wife and I as named drivers (this helped). Year 2 saw a big drop for both, less so now until 25 i guess
At 20 and 21 they now have Ka and UP as these had useful things like Aux/USB connections to stereos and Air con, so a bit more future proof and felt more refined.
Will be looking to help eldest move into something bigger as he does more motorway and carries a few people, but really struggling with ideas as everything new/nearly new is so dull and frankly uninspiring.
My son was given his Gran's old Clio - 1.2 TCe - 100bhp so goes better than some of the lower powered cars which makes a difference when you live somewhere as hilly as us. As mentioned above don't go by insurance groups. In fact the more young drivers have VW Ups the more likely the statistics will point to them being high risk cars.
Also don't be dismissive of telematics products. My son used the Hastings YouDrive system which connected to an app on his phone. He viewed the scores he got as constructive and as a target to improve. In no way was it onerous and it was some reassurance for Mum and Dad. I was very impressed with it and in fact he was happy to use it for three years running.
Also don't be dismissive of telematics products. My son used the Hastings YouDrive system which connected to an app on his phone. He viewed the scores he got as constructive and as a target to improve. In no way was it onerous and it was some reassurance for Mum and Dad. I was very impressed with it and in fact he was happy to use it for three years running.
As above ignore the car grouping as every insurer have their own groupings, some 1 -20, some 1-100 so grouping irrelevant.
Also consider the wider picture, lifestyle of people who already own the car you are looking at -ie Mini, driven by a lot of young new drivers and estate agents(Boooo) who have alot of crashes so the premium can be more. Aproshetic limb beige Honda Jazz is driven by another type of driver and has less claims so can be cheaper.
EV's will cost a lot more than ICE cars for younger drivers which is a sod as alot of people could get a R5 through the company scheme and would be great for the children.,
Also consider the wider picture, lifestyle of people who already own the car you are looking at -ie Mini, driven by a lot of young new drivers and estate agents(Boooo) who have alot of crashes so the premium can be more. Aproshetic limb beige Honda Jazz is driven by another type of driver and has less claims so can be cheaper.
EV's will cost a lot more than ICE cars for younger drivers which is a sod as alot of people could get a R5 through the company scheme and would be great for the children.,
GeniusOfLove said:
Minis are surprisingly OK I've found, looking at £1,500 for the first year for my daughter in a 2010 convertible cooper.
Haven't checked to see if that holds true for the (far superior) F56 models but R56s are a similar cost to the Fiat 500 and Aygo etc.
Indeed, that's what I ended up getting for the Goddaughter (she was dead set on one from the beginning to be fair) a standard 1600 cooper (not S) ended up being just over £1300 no telematics which I didn't think was too badHaven't checked to see if that holds true for the (far superior) F56 models but R56s are a similar cost to the Fiat 500 and Aygo etc.
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