15 TIPS FOR YOUNG DRIVERS

1Have a smartbox fittedIf you consider yourself a safe driver and don’t want to be judged by your lack of experience,

answer. The smartbox measures how skilful your driving is, but it also picks up on any bad habits; excessive G-forces in sudden braking or cornering are monitored. If you’re unsure of how you would fare under this scrutiny, why not try using theThe Co-operative Insurance’s ‘Young Driver’ app, which will allow you to see how safe and responsible your driving is before committing to a smartbox.

then having a smartbox �tted could be the

2Avoid driving late at nightStatistics show that between 11pm at night and 6am in the morning is the most dangerous time to drive, particularly for younger road users. The increased risk of an accident means that premiums will be higher for drivers who do a lot of late night driving. By avoiding the road late at night, you are reducing the chances of an accident and keeping the cost of your insurance to a minimum.

3Choose your car wiselyThe type of car that you choose will have a big impact on the cost of your insurance. When buying a car, it’s worth considering how the

premium; the greater the car’s popularity, engine size and value, the higher the potential cost of your insurance. It’s important to remember that an older model may not have the safety features that the newer models o�er,which could mean a higher insurance premium.

�ner details will impact the cost of your

4Reduce your mileageYour insurance provider will want to know how often you drive and for how long. Try to avoid using your car for extensive trips - you’ll be

annual mileage. Less time on the road doesn’t only mean lower insurance costs; lowering your mileage will save you money on petrol too, whilst reducing the amount of wear and tear your car goes through. This means less money is spent on the costs of repairs and your car is more likely to retain its value when it comes to selling it on.

5Take an additional driving courseThe Pass Plus is a training course designed by the Driving Standards Agency. It takes around six hours to complete and it is designed to help drivers improve their skills and encourage safer

worth considering, not only because it could drive down insurance costs, but it can also

the roads.

6Pay per year, not per monthIt’s often the case that paying yearly, rather than

your insurance provider, meaning you will face

year in advance, then it could save you money in the long run.

monthly, could save you a signi�cant amount. In

January£ £ £ £ £ £ ££ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ ££ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

February

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

March£ £ £ £ £ £ ££ £ £ £ £ £ ££ £ £ £ £ £ ££ £ £ £ £ £ ££ £ £ £ £ £ £

April

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

£ £ £ £ £ £ £

7Don’t modify your car

will boost the car’s value, meaning the insurance company will have to pay out more if it’s damaged or stolen. They can also make the car faster, which in turn could increase the risk of an accident.

8Fit a security device

down the cost of your insurance are those that increase your car’s security. Fitting an alarm or immobiliser reduces the risk of theft, which could also greatly reduce your insurance quote. If you have a new car that already has these security features, it is important to inform your insurance provider so they can take this into consideration.

9Don’t rely purely on comparison sitesAvoid price comparison sites and do your own research. This allows you to look at policies on a like-for-like basis, giving you a true idea of what

tempting to go for the cheapest deal, but make sure it provides the cover that you need. If you choose a basic package and then have an accident, you may be faced with excessive costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.

10Ensure safe parkingThe risks associated with theft and accidental

your insurance. If you have a garage or driveway, keep your car parked safely here whenever possible. Not only is this a big deterrent to thieves, but it also reduces the risk of accidental damage.

damage could signi�cantly a�ect the cost of

11Compare like for likeTwo policies with the same price may not o�er the same level of bene�ts. Always look closelyat the detail to ensure the policy covers everything you need, what looks like a good deal could leave you with an excess that is more than you can a�ord to pay.

POLICY 1

£250POLICY 2

£500

12Consider increasing your excessIf you are a responsible driver, then you may

This lowers the cost of your insurance but increases the amount you’d have to pay up front if you made a claim. Although this can help reduce the cost of your car insurance, you need

do have an accident. No matter how careful or skilled you are on the roads, accidents can happen to anyone, so be cautious; having an accident after increasing your excess could leave you with a huge fee to pay.

£

13Third Party vsComprehensive You may presume that the more extensive the cover, the more you will have to pay to be insured, but this isn’t always the case.

comprehensive, so it pays to get quotes for various levels of cover. It’s also important to study your chosen policy carefully, ensuring you know exactly what you are covered for and

your needs.

14Consider a new policyDon’t be tempted to stick with the policy you

may not be the best deal for you now. Getting a no-obligation quote could be a shrewd move. If it's much cheaper than your current policy, it might be time to make the switch. As long as you've not made a claim, you should be able to get a pro-rata refund. Don’t forget to check thesmall print for other charges and weigh this upagainst the new policy price.

15Don’t get points! It may sound obvious, but safe driving really

your licence can cause the cost of your insurance to rocket. For speeding or careless

taking a driving improvement or speed awareness course. These courses won’t take more than two days of your time and, although

having a clean licence will soon become clear when your insurance quote comes in.

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