Insuring 17 year old costs/black boxes/thoughts

Imnoexpert_2

My 17 yo is getting a car.(I know a vey lucky lad)



It is likely to be a10 year old Hyundi I10 or similar.



I have done lots of insurance quotes using lots of variables and while he is learning see premiums of £3-400.


Then assuming he passes his test in 6 months I've had quotes of around £13-1400 for 'black box policies and £2-3000 for Non Black box ones.


It looks like a black box then but there seem to be lots of additional charges like fitting and removing and I don't understand how they change the premium if the driving is deemed to be poor once you've taken out and paid the policy.And I guess each company has different 'rules' for driving and usage.


I'd be interested in hearing thoughts and experiences (maybe recommendations) from others on the forum who have had experience of this.



Thanks

chrisw

i looked into the black box policies when my son got a car.

Some companies such as More Than offered various discounts but seemed to have a lot of restrictions and many reviews complained about reports of bad driving, curfews and losing discounts or cancelling policies.

The significant issue with all of them is estimating the annual mileage. If you say eg 5000 miles and then find you've underestimated or change jobs with a longer commute, you have to purchase additional miles which are hideously expensive.

Following recommendation from a neighbour, my son went with Tesco black box in the end and although there were no extra discounts, there were no extra charges and we never heard a peep from them regarding driving behaviour, night time driving, etc.

The second year it was only £20 more with another company without the black box so he swapped to them for peace of mind.

forgotmyname

Wouldn't touch them unless its the only way to get on the road.

Penalised for avoiding an accident? You brake sharply because someone pulls out or a child/animal runs in the road and they deem your hard braking to be sub standard driving?

Seen too many complaints about them.

Old cars tended to push the premium up last time i checked. Spend more on the car it maybe less to insure. Kia/Hyundai/Toyota tended to increase premiums, costly parts.

lopsyfa

I will advise not to get black box as you risk having a cancelled policy on your son’s record. Some of the analytics they use are known not to be too clever and they are eager to cancel policy for bad driving which may be hardware or analysis error. Better to pay more now or if possible and you live together, you can be the policyholder and he the second driver (and main driver, very important).

jayniee1964

Tricky one to answer, i agree with black boxes as they tend to make the driver think about their driving manner and style and the savings on premiums can be substancial, A lot of misinformation about them are myths imo

Because i am new to the forum i cant post a link but google "admiral black box myths debunked"

Good article to read and hope it helps x

POPPYOSCAR

Our daughter has a box with Direct Line.

Her first year premium was about £600 as a learner driver at 19 driving a ford Ka.

When she passed her test she got a refund of £70.

She has now been driving about 3 years and each year her premium has gone down.

She now pays around £350.

Having the box has certainly worked for her.

forgotmyname

Poppy, I assume your not in a high risk City location though.

My daughters insurance is a similar situation to yours but no black box and we are in a fairly high risk area.

Even though her premium is under £500 for her 3rd year. With similar jumps to your figures. £1000+change? £870? then virtually half that and almost as cheap as mine.

Although insurers didnt like putting her name to a large 2L diesel estate. doubled the premium. Could possibly insure it under her own name cheaper?

If they drive carefully then a large discount should be had on their 3rd year.