One of the most expensive parts of learning to drive can be insurance.
For young drivers the cost of insurance often far outweighs what your car may be worth.
Unfortunately as a learner drive you are perceived to be very high risk (especially males!).
Getting the right cover

• It would seem sensible that third party insurance would always be the cheapest but this is not always the case so double check.
  
• If your car an alarm or immobilizer find out the make and model as decent alarms can bring down the premium.
  
• Do you have a garage or driveway you can park in? This may reduce the price compared to parking on the street.
  
• Beware of monthly payment plans.
  The car insurance company will normally just loan you the money at an inflated price.
  If you can't afford to pay in full get a 12 month 0% credit card and use this to pay in full.
  

Your own policy or with the parents? If often cheapest for learner drivers to be added to your parents insurance policy.
However this comes with some disadvantages.
Firstly if you need to make a claim this will push up the cost of your parents policy.
Secondly you probably wont earn any no claims bonus so when it comes to getting your own car insurance its really expensive.
While this is normal the cheapest option its still worth getting quotes for your own policy and even if you have to shell out in the first year it will bring the price down in years to come when you may not live with your parents anymore.
Getting the best deal Comparison sites allow you to search through a host of insurers to find to best deal but all comparison sites cover slightly different providers so it pays to try them all.
Even if you think it may be cheaper to get put on your parents insurance it's always worth getting a quote as you never know! Once you have passed Unfortunately once you passed the price of car insurance will not be much better until you reach about 25.
However by taking the pass plus course which teaches you more advanced driving techniques such as night and motorway driving you can lower your premium by up to 35%.
Some local council's may subsidize the cost of your pass plus course by up to 50% making it hugely worthwhile.
Find out if you qualify for this at Direct Gov.
Other tips The insurance class of your car will affect the price of insurance.
Generally the smaller the engine the cheaper it will be.
Before buying a car it is worth finding out what insurance group it falls in.
GoCompare has a good guide Avoid modifications.
Even a set of cheap alloys on your car will increase your premium.
For more information see www.
find-driving-instructor.
co.
uk