Will My Young Driver Car Insurance Be Cheaper With An Older Car?
Caeva O'Callaghan | October 2nd, 2023
You’ve just got your license, and you can’t wait to buy your first car. But does the age of your vehicle affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance?
The age of the car you drive does affect your car insurance, but generally speaking the newer your car is the cheaper it is to insure.
There are some exceptions, so be sure to shop around for the best quote before you purchase your policy. Give us a call and we can help you find the best young drivers’ insurance.
In this article, we’ll cover the following questions:
- Does the type of car I drive affect my insurance?
- Why do some cars cost more to insure than others?
- How can I save money on my young drivers’ insurance?
If you’re a young driver, the type of car you drive will affect how much you pay for your policy. It’s a good idea to check out what kind of car will be most cost effective to insure before you set your heart on a make or model.
Does the type of car I drive affect my insurance?
Yes. Cars with larger engines are more expensive to insure: for example, the difference between a 1.9 and a 1.6 can be over €1,000.
Customisations including sound systems and in-car navigation can also push prices up, as this kind of technology is more expensive and requires a different set of skills to replace. Before you choose your vehicle, check the price of insuring it – as you may lose any savings you make on the vehicle on the insurance.
Instead of just looking up the make and model, write down all the registration numbers of the cars you like and enter those on the insurance website for a quote. Some versions of the same vehicle will be more powerful, more valuable, or have limited edition features. For example, saying you have a Volkswagen Golf is not specific enough. There are currently eight generations of this car, as well as electric versions. Within those generations, there are different options such as diesel or petrol, custom features, and more.
Why do some cars cost more to insure than others?
A major factor which impacts car insurance premiums is the age of the vehicle. Generally speaking, the newer the car the cheaper it will be to insure. Cars aged 5 years and less are cheaper to insure than cars aged between 5 and 10 years and beyond.
This is because more modern cars are often cheaper to repair, and mechanics are more likely to be able to find parts. Modern cars also have the latest safety features, and are less likely to be worn and in need of a service.
Small cars with a small engine size will be cheaper to insure. They’re easier to control on the road, and generally cheaper to repair or replace. So if you’re a young driver wondering what your first car should be, consider a small, reasonably cheap and safe little runner.
How can I save money on my young drivers’ insurance?
One of the best ways to save money on your driving insurance is to install a tracker. A black box, tracker, or telematics box is a small device which monitors your driving habits. When you take out a black box car insurance policy, your insurer will arrange for a third party to install the black box on your car. It’s pretty small – around the size of a mobile phone – and they’ll place it in a discreet location.
A tracker sends information on your driving habits (and how safe you are) back to the insurance company. Most insurers, such as AIG, offer cheaper car insurance because you have to choose the number of kilometres you expect to travel in a year. Driving safely helps you earn more kilometres, grow your no-claims bonus, and build a reputation as a sensible driver that will stand you in good stead next time you buy or renew your car insurance.
Got any more questions about getting young drivers’ insurance? Give us a call as soon as you can, and we’ll be happy to help you find the right policy for your specific circumstances. We are available Mon-Fri between 8.30am and 5.30pm on 0818 224433 or 042 9359051.