need to insure my 17 yr old sons car - decent company?

michelle107

My son is learning to drive as soon as he is 17. As many of you will be aware, the insurance to do this is proving a nightmare.

He has been saving for nearly two years now as the criteria was always that he could have a car if he paid the insurance. Poor kid didn't realise it would have been cheaper to buy the car!!

Could you recommend any company? So far the best quote seems to be coming from Quinn direct (but still around the 4k mark).

ANY help would be much appreciated

MFWannabe

michelle107 wrote: »

My son is learning to drive as soon as he is 17. As many of you will be aware, the insurance to do this is proving a nightmare.

He has been saving for nearly two years now as the criteria was always that he could have a car if he paid the insurance. Poor kid didn't realise it would have been cheaper to buy the car!!

Could you recommend any company? So far the best quote seems to be coming from Quinn direct (but still around the 4k mark).

ANY help would be much appreciated

What sort of car is it? what engine size? These are big factors with insurance. Have you tried a comparison site like money supermarket? Also try Direct Line. If you haven't already bought a car then look for cars no bigger than a 1.2 engine. Also if you add yourself to the policy as a named driver this should bring the cost down a bit
Hope this helps

michelle107

FREEZ wrote: »

What sort of car is it? what engine size? These are big factors with insurance. Have you tried a comparison site like money supermarket? Also try Direct Line. If you haven't already bought a car then look for cars no bigger than a 1.2 engine. Also if you add yourself to the policy as a named driver this should bring the cost down a bit
Hope this helps

Thanks for your help Freez.

We haven't bought the car yet but have input many examples (different engine sizes/ models etc) and often it doesn't seem to make much difference. However, I agree with your thoughts re 1.2L - if it was up to me I'd be happier if he was driving a car powered by a sewing machine engine if it meant he was safer!

I'll try Direct Line as they haven't been on the comparison sites I've been on. Will also put my husband on (I've got points on my license, he hasn't)

maclean2

Hi - the following specialize in young drivers

i-kube
4youngdrivers
endsleigh
mypolicy
coverthebox
ecarinsurance


hth

bouncydog1

Loads of threads on here about this - the rate will also depend on where you live - 17 year old male in a high rated area on lowest group car can expect to pay around £3-£4k. Also be aware that if you do get a cheapish quote you need to check whether the premium will increase once he passes his test, which is when the risk for insurers increases.

Evilm

Get him to add you or your husband as a named driver (but not as the MAIN driver). Even if you don't ever drive it this should drop the premium because he is effectively saying you are around to give him good advice.

whatmichaelsays

I'd also, assuming the car isn't particularly high value, ignore quotes for fully comprehensive cover and just go for third party cover.

On your typical 17-year old's car, the compulsory excesses (on top of the voluntary excess) can very easily add up to more than the value of the car. If he does anything to it, it will be cheaper to walk away from it.

rennes123

Hi,go to collingwood insurance,they do a learners insurance policy for learner drivers,my son is 17 and learning,he has a v reg fiesta and it costs about £80pm,and you renew it month by month,he can drive with someone who is over 21 with a full driving licence,absolute godsend!

bouncydog1

Yes but this does not solve the OP's issue when the son passes his test as Collingwood policy ceases at that point.

The sooner he gets his own policy and starts earning bonus the better, because when he passes his test (say it takes 6 months) there is a good chance that rates may have risen again. OK he will have saved on the monthly (say 6 months at £80 = £480), but will still have to pay c£4k plus any % rise that has occured in the meantime and could have earned some bonus while he was learning.

Collingwood policies appear good value for a child learning in the parent's vehicle because the parent's NCB is protected, but the problem of insurance is still there on passing the test.

IMO if the child has a car at 17 insure it in their own name, with them as the main driver so that earning bonus starts a.s.a.p.

StephenMarsh

Have a look at the pass plus not only is it a usefull course to take but some companies still offer discounts for having done it. Also look at the age of the vehicle as the older the car the cheaper it is to insure, obvioulsy this is offset by any potential problems an older car can give you..

22Miggy

Last year my son was in the same situation as your son . Eventually we brought a 1.0 litre corsa comfort which is group 1 insurance - the lowest you can get. It's his car, in his name so we spent sometime 'shopping' around for insurance. The lowest quote we managed to get was £1300 from e-car insurance online.
He's in the process of selling this and buying a new car and e-car is still coming up with the cheapest quotes.
If he's the main driver, I wouldn't even suggest trying to 'front' on the insurance. The police pull them in so many times it's not worth the hassle or the risk if he was to be involved in an accident.