Learner insurance / Current insurer declined

PaperPauper

Hi Folks,

My wife and I are insured to drive a Peugeot 107 and my son, who has turned 17, is learning to drive and would like to be added as a learner driver to get more experience in between lessons.

I approached our insurer to add him to the insurance, but they declined without saying why. He's at school and has never had an accident or any unusual circumstances (e.g. criminal record) so I assume it's just that the underwriter won't deal with young / learner drivers. He has two older sisters and this wasn't an issue for them, though maybe the insurer was different.

I tried to go through Compare the Market but it doesn't seem to allow me to set up insurance on his behalf.

What's the cheapest / best way to set him up with learner insurance, bearing in mind that once he passes his test, I'm unlikely to continue the insurance as (a) he doesn't need to drive at the moment and (b) the cost will go up substantially, so I'm thinking of monthly rather than annual?

Any ideas or tips? Are there specialists who provide this? Thanks in advance.

Emmia

There's lots of companies that provide specific learner insurance, so you can easily insure him separately, like marmalade for example.

https://www.wearemarmalade.co.uk

I'd just do a normal search for "learner driver insurance"

mgfvvc

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81941619#Comment_81941619

When I was looking most of the "alternatives" just rebranded Marmalade policies. Veygo were the exception and they were about half the price of Marmalade for my daughter.

Depending on how bad the Marmalade/Veygo quotes are, it might be worth checking whether it's significantly cheaper to cancel your existing policy and take one out elsewhere with your daughter as a named driver. I would be surprised if this is the best option, but I can't rule it out.

GrumpyDil

For my son it was cheaper getting him standalone insurance by a mile and the advantage that had he had an accident it would not impact my policy. That's where I reckon the best option is.

otb666

When we were looking over 10 years ago mind. What made the insurance cheaper was to buy new car for our child and paid 0% over 5 years so about £250 per month for car. This made for cheap insurance. It seemed crazy at the time that insurance was so much cheaper on new car rather than older car. I think its to do with them taking more care of a new car. Also meant did not have to worry about black box and could drive whenever where ever they wanted

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81941781#Comment_81941781

So buy a new car for £20k (at 2026 prices) for a just-17 yo to learn to drive in, because the insurance will be cheaper than a not-new Peugeot 107?

Seems somewhat counterintuitive. What car were you replacing, a Bentley?

daveyjp

Cheapest for my daughter was Marmalade. It cost about £1 a day for three months cover.

PaperPauper

Thanks all for the responses. I went with Veygo in the end who ended up around £38-39/month, which I suppose is reasonable, although I see they are owned by Admiral. Admiral used to own Elephant and I had to make a claim about 20 years ago when my car was stolen. An awful experience - you soon find out who the thieves really are.

MyRealNameToo

Admiral still own Elephant, their motor policies are mainly underwritten by Admiral Gibraltar generally, whereas the last time I checked the Admiral own brand motor was coinsured by Admiral UK and Admiral Gibraltar. Unlike Admiral however if they dont like you as a risk Elephant does have other insurers it can place you with whereas Admiral will decline to quote.

Never worked for Admiral, have been insured by them and made a claim. They are a cheap and chearful type insurer but had no complaints with their claims handling at all. Modest RTA which I was at fault for, dont believe the TP claimed