An insurance claim is seldom one car £900 damage & another £7000.

it can be.

Its The Lamp post,

the road clear up or closure, Emergency services x10 etc.

Possibly the £750,000 pay out, or the £50,000 per year for life and Legal fees etc.

Somebody pays for all this and its the Young (or their parents.)

because everyone is born naked with nothing and by 17 year old you have not paid for anything yourself yet, let alone food and water each day.

Now i have Lost my leg at 17 on a bike, and that cost them a few thousand, and quite a bit since.

(not my fault and the other mature driver was on a Group policy and stiil tried to lie)

I pay around £300-400 insurance most years on at least couple of cars and sometimes it is a few grand.

Never ever really paid back what i have received in or cost the insurance industry.

A bit like the UK Income Tax System for the Lower to Medium earners in the UK, you take more out than you put in over a lifetime..

If a young driver is getting Quoted £10,000 on a A8 or S8 it shows they will insure anyone if you pay enough.

Around my area there are L Plates on Range Rover Sports & BMW's and sometimes better pupils cars in the school car parks than

the teachers have.

If you buy a sensible car and drive safe and get your premium down you are quids in.

Or like many did a few years ago, Mummy buys a New small Ford and got free insurance for junior.

Seems like an Unfair world sadly.

Edited 28 June, 201213 yr by sk4gw

The problem here that isn't really being discussed though is the numbers of young drivers who simply cannot afford the insurance quotes so therefore go without... Surely if the premiums were lower more of them would have insurance and there would be less 'risk' to the insurance companies having to pay out through the policies of those hit by uninsured drivers???

The insurance companies really are taking the mickey with some of the premiums as I think they see young people as a soft touch.

I'd rather have lower premiums for young drivers to get them on the road with insurance and a greater spread of risk than the current si****ion.

Exactly the point iwas trying to make. Albeit badly.

Thanx Skomaz

I was checking insurance on my dad's 1.8T Octy, it was £15000 if i'm not mistaken, after that, i checked insurance on Audi A8 or S8, can't remember, it was £10000. Now i passed my test, insurance for Audi R8 is about £10000. Where is 'system' in that?

As I said, it's statistics. You are statistically MUCH more likely to be found making an insurance claim on a 1.8T Octy than an R8, for example if you're 18 and driving an R8, chances are you either can't afford to actually drive it anywhere so can't crash it, or are so loaded that you probably just settle any damages yourself with a blank cheque (or bank of Mum and Dad). Which leaves the number of insurance claims for 18 year olds on R8s VERY low. It's balanced somewhat by the fact that crashes involving an R8 will be more expensive, but if the insurers only repair one R8 a year compared to 10000 Octavias then they assess the risk accordingly (your £10k may not fund the whole repair you need, but it's subsidised by other drivers and your increased premiums in subsequent years).

Sailing close to grumpy old git territory , haven't had a landmark birthday recently have you ?

I'm currently 39 so there may be some truth in that.

At least my insurance is cheap :p

My first two years insurance were bother over £1000 for basic 1.4 litre cars. The Mk1 vRS was reasonable at around £700 and the Mk2 vRS for me now is £480ish (renewal has just come through). I do think it's unfair that girls pay less and I've seen some shocking driving from both sexes. I think because of this I've seen more girl racers about. Passed two girls yesterday, one in an Integra Type R and the other in I think a Nissan 200ZX. Both looked only 18.

Not sure what I'd do about lowering premiums but I would like to see more driver training. Perhaps you have your basic test then you have classifications of driver skill the more tests and things you try. I've been looking for a while at what courses to do but have no idea what's best. My driving has hit a brick wall lately where I feel held back. I don't see myself as a bad driver (although I do get lost with sat navs sometimes ) and I'm more into cars and driving than pretty much anyone who I was in school with. I often think back to stuff I did years before and it's truly shocking.

But then I know of people my age who know thing of oversteer or understeer and basics of car control. I want to learn more too but at least I know what they car and can feel how a car is.

hi guys. Well, insurance is sick. I am 18 years old male. I am not saying that I'm expierienced driver, but i don't think that insurance for Felicia, which costs £300 can be about £4000. 'Young' doesn't mean that i will drive like a ******* moron.

Statistics say you're more likely to have a crash and a big one at that. It's irrelevant that you as an individual may be more responsible than 99.9% of your peers. Insurance doesn't look at individuals.

I'm certain that the ins companies take advantage of the expectation that young drivers will pay more to ensure that they DO pay more. As a group they're less likely to complain (to the ombudsman) about being overcharged.

I drove for probably the first 4 years of car ownership with my Dad as the named driver. Illegal but lets be honest at least I had some insurance and if I had hit you it's hardly in your best interests to grass me up. My old man was an insurance salesman too. But it's a highlight of the fact that if you make insurance so incredibly expensive people will chose way to get around it or do without which isn't in anyone's interest really.

My first car done properly was a nearly new 1.8td Focus 90hp. I think I was about £800 when I was 23. It didn't drop much till I hit 30.

I still think we need more options. Like reduced mileage policies or maybe supervised policies. Only allow you to drive in the presence of a named driver like a parent. Ok it's hardly useful but might be worth it as an option for young carers or just a way to get some ncb.

Edited 28 June, 201213 yr by Aspman

The simple truth of it is young (usually male) drivers cost the insurers more in payouts, these £10k quotes translate as "we don't want your business". I can't see anyway round the problem, I think Aspman has a point with stepped licences, certainly I think half the trouble with young lads is wanting to show off with their mates in the car so limiting the amount of passengers might lower the amount of crashes, maybe 17 is too young for people to be driving to start with.

Edited 28 June, 201213 yr by Lazy Daisy

I've been looking at advanced driving courses. They cost about £400 for a good one, where you get a certificate at the end of it. But I'm not sure if i will get £400+ off insurance premium.

You won't get £400 off your premium straight away, no. But you might get a smaller decrease which adds up year on year, you might have the skills to spot/avoid an accident which could ultimately save you thousands, etc. I've never done an advanced course as I (very arrogantly) feel that I'm already a good driver compared to the standards I often see. Am I perfect, of course not, but an advanced course wouldn't make me perfect either.

If you have just passed your test (march did you say?) hunker, you can do the pass plus course, this will generally knock about 30% off insurance premiums....

I've had people pay me £180 for the course, and save between £300 - £1000 on their insurance premium....

ask a pass plus registered instructor.

I've looked at pass plus, but almost most of the reviews said that it doesn't work. And if i go on confused.com and put that i've got UK FULL (PASS PLUS) license it doesn't change at all.

I still think we need more options. Like reduced mileage policies or maybe supervised policies. Only allow you to drive in the presence of a named driver like a parent.

My driving instructor refused to offer intensive 5 day pass in a week courses, saying it wasn't about being able to drive but time spent driving that was important, I think driving for an hour on your test, when you're super concentrating, then being legal needs rethinking, can anybody honestly say they drive in the same manner as you did during that hour ?, I had the insurance company fax my policy to the village shop the same afternoon so I could tax my first car the same day - the insurance companies know how eager you are to get out in the car so could they be taking advantage of peoples keenness, knowing full well upping the price a bit more and you'll still pay

confused . com is pointless.... me ex did her pass plus, and (as you say) made no difference to her premium (on any insurer) on confused, so I gave her the list of approved insurers for the scheme (although at least half of insurers out there will offer discounts for it) and she got £300 knocked off her premium, when she called an insurance company that offered NO discount in confused .com , but did when she called them! confused doesnt factor in pass plus, but most insurers will if you call them...

try adrian flux.... get a quote, then say "oh sorry forgot, I have pass plus" and they will requote and you will see a discount....

I believe (although I could be wrong, not being a full time learner instructor anymore, its been a while since I did a pass plus course) adrian flux give 30% off...

I had a pupil (quite weathy family) whos parents bought him a mini cooper..... was £2700 to insure him on it... he did pass plus and got that down to £1800!! thats £900 off!

best option for discounts for new drivers if you ask me

note: I know you live in london, the opposite side of the country from me, but if you find yourself in the Lakes, give me a call and you can doo pass plus in my fabia vRS! (you are insured on it )

I could do pass plus JUST so i can drive your VRS. I will try call them up and see what they say.. cheers.

I've been looking at advanced driving courses. They cost about £400 for a good one, where you get a certificate at the end of it. But I'm not sure if i will get £400+ off insurance premium.

Maybe an advanced course is not appropriate for you as you have not long passed your test.

I would recommend leaving it at least a year so you can get comfortable with driving generally first then have a look at IAM or RoSPA which are the recommended ones and about £150

You won't get £400 off your premium straight away, no. But you might get a smaller decrease which adds up year on year, you might have the skills to spot/avoid an accident which could ultimately save you thousands, etc. I've never done an advanced course as I (very arrogantly) feel that I'm already a good driver compared to the standards I often see. Am I perfect, of course not, but an advanced course wouldn't make me perfect either.

You may feel that you are a good driver compared to others around you but could you be a better driver?

No one is saying an advanced course will make you perfect, that's impossible, but there is always room for improvement.

note: I know you live in london, the opposite side of the country from me, but if you find yourself in the Lakes, give me a call and you can doo pass plus in my fabia vRS! (you are insured on it )

brilliant, I like your thinking

Car insurance has never been cheaper than recently if you buy wisely.

My kids do not pay a fortune and nothing like as much as i had to in the 1970,s

george

Agree with this - insurance was really expensive for me when I started driving in the 70's

only scuffs ive had are parking but everyone has them occasionally

Do they???

Do they???

the majority of people ive spoken to have said that at some point they have reversed into something (only lightly) or scuffed a wheel parking,

the majority of people ive spoken to have said that at some point they have reversed into something (only lightly) or scuffed a wheel parking,

I'd agree with that, I don't know anyone who hasn't either bump a kurb, wall, lamp post or worse, myself included.

IMO if your willing to pay the £1000+ premiums then don't complain, do your research and I'm sure you will find something that is affordable. When I started driving (many years ago) my 1l Nova Saloon cost me about £500 to insure TPFT & it only cost me £100 to buy, This was a car to use/abuse/learn in for 6months to 12months and was throw away if I damaged it beyond economic repair.

My mates took the micky out of me for it as they all bought nicer higher powered/better specced cars and got mummy/daddy to insure it and add them as named drivers.

After a couple of years of various cheap run abouts I was able to start buying myself nicer cars as my insurance stayed around the £500mark (effectivly reducing in cost) whereas my friends were all the opposite and were then being stung for large insurance bills now they were working and their parents weren't paying any longer.

It has been mentioned earlier, how many teenagers do you see in new cars which will have been sold with free insurance?

When my children get of an age where they can start driving I will help them out with some of their costs ie.. what they pay in insurance I will give them a % of to help out but only if I feel that they have been sensible with the choice of car for their needs, if they want a fast or flash car over the more humble options then they are on their own.

IMO electric windows/aircon/alloys/mp3/satnav etc etc are all taken for granted in cars and as such a premium is payed for them & alot isn't helped with the postcode lottery as my insurance on my mk1 octavia vrs doubled when I moved house at the age of 28 with full no claims, it was subsiquently changed for a PD130 Octavia at less than 1/2 the original insurance price and still managed todo the same job as the vRS for alot less cost.

Set yourself an upper limit of what you are willing to pay and then look for the car that suits your needs/budget, why pay more if you dont have to.

When in my teens I did my pass plus and it made a small difference to my insurance and in my early/mid 20's I started going through the IAM to lower my premiums some more but found prior to sitting my test that most insurers at that time increased premiums for younger drivers with that qualification as they beleived it made them much more confident.

Always start with a Pass Plus to help show that you are thinking responsibly and taking your knowledge of driving further, then be realistic with what car you NEED to fulfill your requirements and shop around for your insurance, you will be supprised at just how much cheaper you can get it.

Dont be shy when speaking to insurer's, Ask them what they recommend to help lower your policy (security devices/black boxes/milage limits/Spec & models of cars/etc etc)

Finished my course today, and found out that Engineering Department is closing down. Other college I am thinking to go to is about 1.5 hours with public transport (i really hate public transport), and just 30 mins with car. So first i HAVE TO find a job and next, i have to start shopping around for insurance and car.

I start to consider advanced driving courses and 'crap' cars. But that is better then nothing.... Wish me luck

I'm not sure where I stand on this. At 22 I've experienced particularly expensive insurance and felt aggrieved by it, but I also know I have driven, how shall we put it, not always "responsibly". What I do feel though is that it is all very well to say "restrict their use / have someone in the car / no friends in the car" but all the people saying this no doubt passed at 17 and enjoyed those first years of driving and the unlimited freedom, fun and excitement it brought? I wouldn't want to take that away from younger people. And you cannot deny that insurance companies are milking it like no tomorrow.

I was 20 before I had my own insurance policy (£1,200 to insure my 1989 Rapid and I could only afford that because I had been out of the country for 6 months working). Prior to that I shared the car and policy with my dad (not illegal as I was out of the country a lot of the time so he used it more than me). I'm now 22 and have 2 cars insured. The Octavia is insured in the good lady's name (again, she is the main user/driver). When I looked at quotes in my name the premium literally doubled.

And you can't say that women are better drivers. Some drive as fast and dangerous as men and others have such little clue of how to operate a car and are so scared of it that they too are dangerous. As an example back at 18 we were in a friend's 1.3 Micra, 4 up, climbing a long steep hill. She approached the hill in the same manner as she had been taught (change up as soon as you can etc) and subsequently didn't know why the Micra was actually slowing down until I explained that she would need to change down.

In some European countries you insure the car and not the drivers which to a certain degree makes sense but I can't see anything changing because the insurance companies are making too much money.

All I do know is that I am grateful to be a bit older and experiencing more reasonable insurance costs. In the last couple of years I think its really gone crazy for young drivers. Equality - hahaha!

I'm not sure where I stand on this. At 22 I've experienced particularly expensive insurance and felt aggrieved by it, but I also know I have driven, how shall we put it, not always "responsibly". What I do feel though is that it is all very well to say "restrict their use / have someone in the car / no friends in the car" but all the people saying this no doubt passed at 17 and enjoyed those first years of driving and the unlimited freedom, fun and excitement it brought? I wouldn't want to take that away from younger people. And you cannot deny that insurance companies are milking it like no tomorrow.

I was 20 before I had my own insurance policy (£1,200 to insure my 1989 Rapid and I could only afford that because I had been out of the country for 6 months working). Prior to that I shared the car and policy with my dad (not illegal as I was out of the country a lot of the time so he used it more than me). I'm now 22 and have 2 cars insured. The Octavia is insured in the good lady's name (again, she is the main user/driver). When I looked at quotes in my name the premium literally doubled.

And you can't say that women are better drivers. Some drive as fast and dangerous as men and others have such little clue of how to operate a car and are so scared of it that they too are dangerous. As an example back at 18 we were in a friend's 1.3 Micra, 4 up, climbing a long steep hill. She approached the hill in the same manner as she had been taught (change up as soon as you can etc) and subsequently didn't know why the Micra was actually slowing down until I explained that she would need to change down.

In some European countries you insure the car and not the drivers which to a certain degree makes sense but I can't see anything changing because the insurance companies are making too much money.

All I do know is that I am grateful to be a bit older and experiencing more reasonable insurance costs. In the last couple of years I think its really gone crazy for young drivers. Equality - hahaha!

I agree that we (young drivers) have to pay more, but not £3-4k or even more.

I am from Latvia originally, and in Latvia they insure car instead of a driver, which means for me it would cost about 100quid to insure me on my dad's Audi 100 2.6L V6, which is not right. New drivers get their license and buy 3.0L BMW's.

^ Yes, whilst I think the system *could* work I think it would lead to abuse. I wanted it when I was 19 because it meant I could have driven my dad's vRS.

I think there should be a premium for young drivers but I don't think they should be priced off the roads which is what I think is happening.

Incidently one thing that really effected (and still does) my driving was a presentation we were given at Sixth Form college by the local Fire Brigade. It was pictures and descriptions of real accidents and some very compelling public safety videos. Even know I can remember them all and I have thought about them and the consequences of my actions behind the wheel.

Prevention, through education, is better than cure.