Advice Needed - Car Insurance

Cardboard_Rodent

Hello!
I'm new to the forums, and just need some general advice.

I'm a student currently aged 17 - I work very hard at my studies and as well with my work as a telephone operator part-time (earning roughly £450 a month). I've recently passed my test and completed the Pass Plus scheme first time no problem - my driving is safe and i'm not a stupid person like some of these racers with massive spoilers etc.

I own a 1242cc Ford Fiesta LX 16V 1996 5 door. It's a nippy little thing but it only cost me £100. I need to be able to drive as my family are moving to Australia in november and I am heading to university - as well as being in the middle of the welsh country side I cannot go anywhere unless if my parents take me - there are no busses, no transport (not even mobile reception)

Here's my problem...
The cheapest quote i've had for insurance for me is £1,500 the rest are £2,000+ without VAT. I get the feeling insurance companies are ripping people like myself off with insurance like this. With the rocketing price of fuel, my college/university to save for as well as general housekeeping and food, I can't afford £400 a month (thats more or less my wages gone)... how am I to afford insurance like that?

Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations for me as I need to drive but just can't afford that on my insurance unless I quit college and work full-time.

Thanks!

maclean2

Hi - suggest you try protecta group who have branches all round South Wales for their i-kube.co.uk scheme which offers 45% discount for Pass Plus with extra £40 charge if car is used between 11pm and 5am.

Tel 0800 389 3894

Also try Aplan Insurance.Google for phone number

HTH

cajef

Cardboard_Rodent wrote: »

Hello!

I get the feeling insurance companies are ripping people like myself off with insurance like this.

Unfortunately you have the same problem as all young drivers that have just passed their test, it does not matter how careful a driver you think you are the fact remains that you are 50% more likely to be involved in an accident during the first three years after passing your test than at any other time during your driving lifetime, this is mainly due to inexperience but in some cases also due to youthful recklessness by some who pass their test then promptly forget all they have learnt about safe driving.

The insurance companies take this into account and base premiums on this, consequently cover for people in your age group start off at high rates until you have had several years safe driving behind you, all you can do is shop around but remember the cheapest is not always the best.

Tight_Old_Git

Cardboard_Rodent wrote: »

Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations for me as I need to drive but just can't afford that on my insurance unless I quit college and work full-time.

Thanks!

Take CBT and you can ride up to a 125cc motorcycle, or buy a push bike.

jimmo

I‘m really no expert in this field but, to be frank, bleating about insurance companies is going to get you nowhere.
When I was 17 (more than 40 years ago now) the concept of a teenager insuring any car any bigger than about 1000cc was pure fantasy except for the mega-rich.
I guess things haven‘t changed very much and a Fiesta with a 1242cc engine is really a tiny car with a huge engine and huge power to weight ratio.
You probably got the Fiesta for £100 because the previous owner couldn‘t sell it to anyone else because it’s no real use as a family car and uneconomical for a younger driver to insure.
Pass plus gets you a few brownie points with insurance companies but whether you like it or not you are a boy racer in the eyes of the insurance industry.
You could go for something much less powerful. I think basic Fiestas used to have 850cc engines but don’t quote me on that but I guess it will cost you a lot more than £100 to buy.
I didn’t get past 875ccs until I went past my 25th birthday and had 5 years no claims bonus.