Learner insurance

If you've just received your provisional licence and are about to hit the road, it's an exciting time. But it may also be a perplexing and costly period. Don't worry, we're here to assist you to compare learner insurance. You'll need the correct car learner insurance whether you're learning to drive in your parents' car or with the help of a friend. To assist you in finding the cheapest learner insurance deal, we've put together an easy-to-follow guide that answers all of your vital questions.

Find out everything you need to know about vehicle insurance for young drivers, including car insurance for 21-year-olds.

Is insurance required for learner drivers?

If you take driving lessons from a professional driving school, most of them include insurance as part of the package. However, if you wish to train in your own car or of a friend or relative’s car, you'll require insurance.

Different forms of learner driver vehicle insurance policies

The process of insuring a learner driver is similar to that of insuring a qualified driver, and there are various options to consider:

Third-party only – this is the minimum cover required by law. It compensates you for any harm or injury you cause to others

Third-party, fire, and theft – in addition to the benefits of third-party only insurance, this type of policy also covers your vehicle if it is stolen or damaged by fire.

Comprehensive - contains all of the above advantages, as well as cover for injuries or damage to you and your vehicle.

You should also consider the length of your cover as a learner driver:

Annual coverage - this is the most frequent type of car insurance, as it covers you for the entire year and is automatically renewed at the end.

Short-term or temporary cover – this protects you for a set amount of time. This could last anywhere from an afternoon to 30 days. This is a good option if you simply want to take private lessons with a friend or family member as your test date approaches, but it's more expensive on a daily basis than annual cover.

If you plan on taking frequent lessons with a specific friend or family member, you should ask to be added as a named driver on their insurance policy. You'll have the same amount of cover as they have, and you'll be able to drive their car whenever you need a lesson.

However, your friend or family member's rates will increase as a result of this, so they should be informed of this before agreeing to add you to their policy.

What is normally covered by learner driver insurance?

As long as you're with a competent and eligible supervisor, a dedicated learner driver insurance cover will cover your practise lessons on your own time. This can be a friend or family member, but they must be 21 years old and have held a valid driver's licence for at least three years. However, some insurance providers may impose their own restrictions, such as a minimum supervisor age of 25, so make sure you examine your policy for any restrictions. Other restrictions may include the time of day which you are permitted to drive.

While learner driver insurance will cover you for your driving test, if you pass the test, you will no longer be protected to drive the car home as a certified driver.

A trainee driver insurance cover exists in addition to your supervisor's policy. This implies that if you get into an accident while driving their car, you won't have to worry about their cover and potential no claims bonus being impacted.

What kind of car insurance is best for new drivers?

As a learner driver, comprehensive car insurance may be the best option because it provides the most cover. However, as a learner driver, the best policy for you will be determined by your unique circumstances and how much you can spend. There are three main forms of insurance coverage:

  • Third-party only – this insures you for any body injury or property damage you cause to others.
  • Third-party fire and theft — similar to a third-party policy, but it also covers your car if it is stolen or damaged by fire.
  • Third-party fire and theft — similar to a third-party policy, but it also covers your car if it is stolen or damaged by fire.

How can I get learner driver insurance for a cheaper price?

While cheap learner insurance may appear difficult to find, there are a few things you can do to make it more affordable:

  • If you share your car with an experienced driver, you may be able to lower your insurance premium by including them on your policy. The insurance company considers both drivers' information and calculates a price based on both of you sharing the vehicle.
  • Offer to pay a greater voluntary excess. Although this may cost you more in the event of a claim because you'll have to pay both the voluntary excess and the required excess established by the provider, it may result in a lower monthly premium in the short run. Simply be sure you can afford the sum if you ever need to make a claim.

Learner driver insurance with a black box

Black box or telematics, insurance packages include a small gadget or app that tracks your driving behaviours. These are especially useful for new drivers who haven't had much experience driving safely, as insurance companies consider them to be a higher risk. Your speed, steering, and braking, as well as where and how far you travel, are all monitored by a black box

Why are learner drivers at a higher risk?

While learner drivers may have the assistance of a professional or experienced driver at all times, they are nevertheless susceptible to accidents and other incidents on the road that might result in points.

There are a variety of reasons why inexperienced drivers may still get into trouble:

Overconfidence. While few people start with a high level of confidence, it only takes a few good teachings to boost one's self-esteem. Some drivers fall into the trap of believing they are capable of handling the road at the same level as experienced drivers. Young drivers consider themselves to be safe in 98 percent of cases. Regrettably, this is usually seldom the case.

Hazards not properly assessed. Majority of students will be unfamiliar with all of the various hazards and risks that might be encountered on the road. Rather than anything else, this is due to a lack of on-road experience. Before an incident occurs, experienced drivers will detect a red flag. It's possible that a student won't be able to do so.

Unusual circumstances. Conditions have a big role in driving, whether it's due to weather, a lack of light, or even having more passengers in the car than usual. While an experienced driver will be able to adjust quickly, newbies to the road may find it difficult to adjust. As a result, there may be a higher chance of hazard.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible for me to get learner driver insurance on my own car?

You can purchase annual learner driver vehicle insurance that you can upgrade once you've passed your test if you're going to be learning to drive in your own car. You can even buy a short-term cover to protect you only while you're studying — the choice is yours.

What is the procedure for obtaining learner driver coverage?

Learner insurance is intended to be used in conjunction with the existing insurance on the vehicle in which the young driver will be practising. It usually gives full cover while the learner driver is behind the wheel, as well as throughout their driving test if they want to use the same vehicle.

Is it more expensive to insure a learner driver?

Learner driver insurance, also known as provisional driver insurance, is far more expensive than ordinary car insurance. Learner drivers are more vulnerable to accidents since they are still learning to drive. The excess, which is the amount you must pay before any insurance claim is paid, can be rather substantial.

When does vehicle insurance become less expensive?

Car insurance premiums start to reduce at the age of 20, thus teens are the ones who pay the most for it. As drivers get older, their rates continue to fall, with significantly cheaper premiums after they reach the age of 30.

What kind of insurance can a learner driver have?

Here are some alternatives for you:

  • Annual car insurance - a 12 month policy that begins when you have a provisional licence.
  • Learners’ car insurance - this provides coverage for up to 90 days.
  • Named driver - If you're learning to drive in the car of a family member or friend, they can add you to their insurance as a named driver.

Is it possible for a named driver to sit with a learner driver?

You must have held a valid driver's licence for at least three years to sit with a trainee driver, according to the requirements. This is so that only experienced drivers can sit with a trainee driver. You won't be able to sit next to a inexperienced driver because of this.

Is it possible for a learner driver to transport children?

Children in the front seat are prohibited by the supervising driver law. Otherwise, yes, learner drivers are permitted to transport children. This includes ensuring sure they're buckled up and in the proper car seat for children under the age of 12 or who are shorter than 138cm (whichever comes first).

What happens if a learner driver has an accident?

Learner drivers, according to legal tradition, have the same responsibility of care as those who have passed their test. This means that if you, as a trainee, get into an accident, it will be your fault, not the supervising driver's.

Is it possible for a learner driver to drive without L plates?

It is necessary to have L plates. L plate stickers must be displayed at all times by learners driving a car. If you don't have a learner plate or it isn't the appropriate size, you might receive up to six penalty points on your licence.

compare my car insurance