Insurance

Once you've bought a car or any other vehicle, it is essential that you get insured. It is illegal to drive on the road without a valid insurance certificate which covers for at least 3rd party liability.

The main types of insurance explained

Third Party Insurance

It is a legal requirement to have at least 3rd party insurance. It is also the cheapest insurance cover available. Damages or injuries which is a result of an accident, is covered on this insurance, but only for other person involved in the accident. You or your vehicle is not covered.

Third Party Fire and Theft

This type of insurance covers you for any damages from fire and if your vehicle is stolen. All of the Third Party entitlements are still the same. This insurance is the cheapest way of building up your no claims, before changing over to the more expensive - fully comprehensive insurance.

Comprehensive Insurance.

This insurance cover gives you the same entitlements as Third Party Fire and Theft as well as the added bonus of protection against any personal injury, damages to your vehicle and replacement of car parts if you are involved in an accident. This is the best and safest insurance cover you can have. This is the most expensive insurance; it includes everything. Having a full driving licence (for more than 2 years) will help to bring the premiums down.

Insurance for learners

Unfortunately the insurance for learners tends to be more expensive than experienced drivers. The reason for this is that learners are seen as a higher risk. These facts and statistics show why this is so:

During the 1st year of passing your driving test you have a greater risk of being involved in an accident than at any other time.
Per every mile of driving for ages 17-20 years, you are 7 times more at risk of an accident involving injury or death than those who are 40 years or over.
15% of all fatal accidents involve drivers under 21 years old.
29% of accidents involve new drivers.

We don't want to bore or worry you about these statistics, we just want to show some of the reasons why younger drivers insurance can be so high. Luckily there are ways to reduce the insurance premium, these include:

newly qualified drivers can take the pass plus scheme. Some insurance companies give discounts to people who hold this qualification / certificate. In effect it gives you 1 year no claims bonus.
buying a smaller engined car; cheaper cars doesn't make much difference. In insurance terms, but obviously the amount of power an engine has plays a large part.
if you don't travel to work in you car, let your insurance company know, you may be paying for unnecessary cover.
If you have a garage or a drive way use it rather than the street, some will discount you.
if you prevent theft etc. with things like immobilisers or alarms you may qualify for a discount.

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Insurance

Insurance for learners

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