What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Car insurance for newly qualified driver - carmen
My son passed his car test a fortnight ago. He is 17 years old and has become demoralised at the huge cost of insurance and the fact our insurance company (Direct Line) will not have him as a named driver on the family car - a Picasso 2.0 Hdi(hardly a performance car!). He is doing the 'Pass Plus' course in a few weeks which should also bring the insurance cost down a little. However, Direct Line say this will make no difference and he will have wait until he is 19 years old before he will be allowed on the insurance.

He is still at school and money is tight. Does anyone know of an insurance company we might swop to that would accept him as a named driver. We don't want to change the car and it will be quite a slow process to afford his own low powered car but even then despite living in a rural area the insurance will be astronomical.

Thanks in anticipation of your help.
Car insurance for newly qualified driver - Bill Payer
For several years we, and several friends in a similar position used CIS (Co-op). Their insurance was very broad and covered any driver any age (even on a provisional licence) for a comparatively reasonable premium. I know they have a group limit for this cover - our was on a 1.6 Clio (group 6) and then a Jazz (group 3).

However the premium went up excessively last year and we switched to Liverpool Victoria (aka Frizzell). What Car also use them. If you have any connections with the civil service and can join the CSMA (free this year) you get 7.5% off.
Car insurance for newly qualified driver - carmen
Thanks very much. I will check this out.
Car insurance for newly qualified driver - Adam {P}
Tesco were "good" for me at 18. And by that, I mean the only one who would quote less than 3 grand.
Car insurance for newly qualified driver - memyself-aye
Insurance company's don't like younger drivers for one very good reason. THEY ARE LETHAL. Both my daughter (now 21) and my son (18) wrote off cars within months of passing their test. My son, last month, in a totally unnecessary overtaking manouvre on a well lit, dry evening, hospitalised himself and his passenger, involved two fire engines, one ambulance, one police car, a tree, a lamppost,a bench (unoccupied at the time) and the total loss of his (only recently acquired) car-the brigade cut the roof off: also, his (future) NCB, possible prosecution for dangerous driving, not to mention a £500 ten day old set of "Alloys" anew exhaust, car mats and his vehecular mobility. That's before his renewal premium.
Ohh..... and he will pay for the increase in my wife's premium (her policy) when it is due for renewal.
THE REASON THEY LOAD PREMIUMS IS YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LOUSY DRIVERS.

Buy him/her a bike.


Car insurance for newly qualified driver - Adam {P}
>>THE REASON THEY LOAD PREMIUMS IS YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LOUSY DRIVERS.<<

That's an awfully sweeping generalisation. We don't all write cars off.
Car insurance for newly qualified driver - rtj70
Step-son about a year ago passed test at 18 and wanted a car. Father happy to pay 1 years insurance as long as low insurance group. It was about £1400 third party fire and theft on an 'H' Reg Panda 4x4. Through the year he swapped vehicles and paid the increases in premium himself.

Think I worked out on the 1.4 Citroen AX diesel it would have been the equivalent of £2000!

He now had a Fiat 126 on a basic policy at about £700 with one years no claims.