Selecter: How To Get The Best Car Insurance For Young People

by: Mathew Cooper

Car insurance for young people, can be a little daunting.

When you get a car insurance quote from most companies, they'll treat you by your age and your gender rather than by your actual driving ability or habits. This may not seem fair - well, strictly speaking, it isn't - but this is a fairly universal method for insurance companies.

However, you shouldn't abandon hope when you're looking for a good insurance quote, even if you passed your driving test within weeks of being allowed to take it.

Some companies will offer insurance tailor made for young drivers, that helps lower the high prices from other providers by tailoring the policies to how you're likely to drive - both as a young person and as an individual. This includes policies that don't include driving abroad as standard cover, or tailored no-claims bonuses that don't require you to be driving for three years before you're eligible for savings.

One thing to note though is that these companies will be basing their quote on how you drive - so make sure you drive safely. Some tips that you should keep in mind to help keep your insurance as low as possible include:

• Keep your car in the best condition: check your tyre tread depth, pressure and their level of wear and tear; your oil and water levels; make sure your wipers are aren't split or blown; and check your lights.

• Don't use a mobile phone whilst driving: Apart from it now being illegal to use a handheld phone whilst on the road, it's generally not advised to even use a hands free when you're driving. Although your hands might be free, your attention is still being divided between something trivial and something that can be a matter of life and death. Pull over if you have to talk on the phone and you'll be on the ball in case something goes wrong.

• Pay attention to the weather: Different weather conditions require different driving. As a young driver, the chances are you'll lack experience on wet or icy roads or driving in strong winds. Be careful when you first experience these conditions and don't take your normal driving experience for granted.

• Remember that you're on probation: Anyone who's just passed their test has a limit of just six points on their driving license before they lose it. Once that's done, you have to reapply for a provisional license and take your theory and practical all over again. Though your license will affect your insurance even if you've only got one or two points, failing your probation period is a definite, huge and utterly black stain on your record. Don't get complacent!