Car insurance

How to get insurance for a learner driver

Putting in the practice while you're learning to drive can be the difference between a pass and a fail - or even a crash and no crash once you've passed.

Practice outside of driving lessons gives you experience of different times of day, different cars and different kinds of traffic situations. It's gold, basically.

But you need insurance.

3 ways to get insured as a learner driver

1. Buy your own car

Yeeeesh. It's a lot of money while you're still shelling out for driving lessons but it might be a good investment in the long run.

Pros:

• You'll get used to the car you'll be driving once you've passed
• You'll start building up your No Claims Discount
• You'll be able to practise as much as you want, as long as you have a keen practice buddy



Cons:

• The cost of a car, full insurance, maintenance, petrol...
• You'll be paying for a full insurance policy but only practising as often as you can beg someone to supervise you
• If you have a bump while you're learning, the amount you pay towards a claim (the excess) may be high because you're inexperienced

Find out how to buy your first car with your provisional licence.

2. Get added to your parents' insurance

Pros:

• It's all on them; you don't have to do the organising or deal with any admin
• They're quite likely to be paying for the petrol!



Cons:

• It can cost more than having your own learner insurance
• If you have an...incident...the car owner will lose their NCD and their insurance will go up
• You're not earning your own NCD
 

3. Get your own learner insurance (on someone else's car)

Pros:

• The car owner won't lose their NCD if you have a bump (awkward conversations avoided)
• It's flexible; so you can choose how long you need cover for and buy more time if you need
• You'll usually have a lower compulsory excess



Cons:

• The policy will be in your name so you'll be sorting the admin here and there
• You won't be earning your own NCD