It is no secret that new drivers have to pay much more in insurance than the average driver, and it is understandable since they are more likely to be involved in car accidents. That does not mean, however, that you need to accept any quote and assume that you have to pay multiple times more than the average driver. There are plenty of things that you can do, even as a new driver, to make yourself look less risky to insurers. You also have to be smart with the way you shop for insurance. Let’s take a look at a few ways that you can bring your car insurance premiums down as a new driver.
Get The Right Car
One of the most important steps for new drivers is to pick the right car. It is not a myth that sports cars cost more to insure, but that is not the only thing that will affect how much you will pay. The safety rating of the vehicle, among other things, is another factor to consider. Cars that have higher safety ratings have better control and braking on average which makes them better at avoiding accidents. They also do better at collision tests. This makes them a great option for new drivers not only because they will bring costs down, but also because they will also lower the chances that they are involved in a serious accident.
Install A Good Security System
Installing a top-of-the-line security alarm on your car will instantly reduce the risk of your car being stolen, so consider adding one to your vehicle. You should also ask the insurance company in question which type of security system they recommend. Or you could simply go for a Thatcham-approved device as most of them will be recognised by insurance companies.
You can look at things like tracking systems as well, but they will not always give you a big discount. They might even make no difference depending on who you are working with. The best thing you can do is find a system with both an alarm and an immobiliser. These are recognised as the most secure and will give you the greatest savings.
Move
We are not saying that you should move just to get a better insurance quote, but if you are expecting to move away soon, it would be wise to prioritise safe areas. Your postcode will have a direct influence on how much you can expect to pay, so if you have different neighbourhoods in mind, try to compare them in terms of crime and theft and make this a major element of your decision.
Shop Around For Insurance
The worst thing you can do as a new driver is just pick an insurer because they are popular or people you know are insured with them. There are so many insurers in the country, and you need to take advantage of that wealth of choice.
What you should do is check a car insurance NI comparison service like CompareNI that will allow you to compare hundreds of insurers in seconds. This will ensure that you get the best quote possible for your situation, or close to it.
Take Classes
The more educated you are as a driver, the more favourably you will be seen by insurers. So, try to look into defensive driving classes right now if you have not done so already. And, if you think this will not make a big difference, think again. It has been estimated that simply taking classes could allow you to save up to 20% on your insurance costs. So, start researching your options and view classes as an investment.
Do Not Overcover Your Vehicle
One mistake that a lot of new drivers and even old ones make is covering their cars way too much. There is no need for you to have fully comprehensive coverage if you drive an old vehicle that you can easily replace in case you have an accident. Comprehensive coverage should be for people who have vehicles that are prone to theft and will be difficult to replace if there is an accident.
If you have an inexpensive vehicle, then it would make more sense for you to get third-party insurance. This will compensate any person you get involved in an accident with but will not cover your vehicle’s repairs. This is the minimum level of insurance required by law and will cost you a lot less than fully comprehensive coverage while still giving you protection.
If you follow the few tips in this article, you should be able to significantly reduce your insurance premiums even as a beginner driver. The most important part is using your buying power and doing everything you can to show yourself as a great client for any insurer.
