The process of learning to drive can be an immensely rewarding and challenging one. To get the best from it, youβll need to make sure that all of the elements are in place to support your motoring journey.
Among the most important of these elements is your insurance. This is something that will allow you to drive on public roads with the full support of the law.Β It’s always best to research car insurance for young drivers thoroughly before choosing a provider.
Learner drivers often find themselves faced with three competing options when it comes to insurance. Here, letβs assess the merits of each of these, and see which makes the best fit for your circumstances.
Full Annual Cover
This is the default option for most drivers. Youβll pay a premium in exchange for an entire yearβs worth of cover.
The upside here is simplicity. Being fully insured for an entire year, youβll have the confidence of knowing that you can go out to practice in your car at the time of your choosing. Moreover, youβll be insured immediately after you pass your practical test, which means that you can hit the road more or less immediately.
The downside here is that, as a learner driver, youβll face higher premiums. The insurer knows that youβre more likely to be involved in an accident, statistically speaking, and theyβll therefore charge you accordingly.
Moreover, if you need to update your details (say, because youβve passed your practical) before the end of the policy, then you might need to pay extra fees. This is something worth checking before you sign up in the first place.
If you are involved in a collision during the year, then you might find that your premiums are affected from then onward.
Parentβs Insurance
If your parents are qualified drivers with insurance, then you might attach yourself to their policy, and practice in their car.
The upside here is flexibility. Youβll be able to use the car thatβs on the drive whenever required. The chances are good that your parents will have a better car than the one youβd otherwise have access to. Compared with a standalone policy, this route is often more affordable.
However, there are downsides. Being listed as a named driver might push up your costs. If you want to use the vehicle after youβve passed your test, you might find yourself paying more, again. Moreover, if you want to practice in a different vehicle during the period of your insurance, you might find yourself faced with additional costs.
Make sure that youβve considered these factors, and discussed them with your parents, before you opt for this particular route.
Temporary Learner Driver Insurance
Our final option is something a little bit different. Short-term car insurance means that you pay for insurance as and when you need it. Youβll be covered only for a short timeframe.
This flexibility is the main advantage of this form of insurance. If youβre unsure of when youβre going to be able to practice, you can simply pay for the period you need β whether itβs a day, a week, or a month.
Thereβs no need to commit to a longer policy, and thereβs no impact on any other form of cover. Youβll get fully comprehensive insurance as standard, and there will be no impact on your parentβs No Claims Discount.
The major downside to consider is that this form of insurance will lapse as soon as youβve passed your test, which means that youβll need to seek a different form of insurance.
Do I Need Insurance to Learn to Drive?
If all of this sounds like a lot of work, then you might wonder whether itβs really necessary. The short answer is that it absolutely is: if youβre driving on public roads in the UK, youβre legally obliged to be insured. Failure to comply will result in severe consequences, including bans, fines, and penalty points.
In Conclusion
Learner drivers can avail themselves of many different insurance options. The one thatβs right for you will tend to depend on how much flexibility you need. Bear in mind that, if youβre able to practice more regularly, you might end up passing the test sooner β which will save you money on lessons. You might therefore think of the right insurance as an investment that will pay for itself!