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- What is learner driver car insurance?
- Do learner drivers need car insurance?
- How does it work?
- Types of car insurance
- How long does it take to learn to drive?
- What does learner driver insurance cover?
- Who is it suitable for?
- How much does it cost?
- What details do I need to get a quote?
- How can I get cheaper learner driver insurance?
- Black box insurance
- Why are learner drivers more at risk?
- Frequently asked questions
What is learner driver car insurance?
Learner driver car insurance is a type of insurance you need to have if you want to practice driving outside of your regular driving lessons with an instructor. It’s also called provisional driver insurance.
You can get a policy to cover you when you’re driving your own car or someone else’s car, like your parents’ or a close family member’s.
You can choose between an annual policy or a short-term policy, depending on what works best for you.
Do learner drivers need car insurance?
Yes, learner drivers must have car insurance if they plan to practice driving in their own car or someone else’s car, excluding their driving instructor’s car. This is a legal obligation that must be met.
How does learner driver car insurance work?
If you want to practice driving outside of your lessons with an instructor, it’s important to have insurance in place. There are two options available:
- You can either take out dedicated learner driver insurance or;
- You can become a named driver on the car owner’s policy.
If you opt for learner driver car insurance, it will sit alongside the car owner’s existing policy. This means that if you need to make a claim, it won’t affect the owner’s no-claims discount (NCD). However, if you choose to be added to the owner’s existing car insurance policy and have to make a claim, they’ll lose their NCD.
On the other hand, if you have your own car, you can take out provisional driver car insurance and add a family member or spouse as a named driver. This will enable you to build up your own NCD.
It’s worth noting that if you’re only driving during your driving lessons with an approved driving instructor in a vehicle they own, they’ll usually sort out the insurance, which is then included in the price of your driving lessons.
In any case, having learner driver insurance is a legal requirement, and it’s essential to make sure you have the right cover in place to avoid any potential legal or financial consequences.
How much can you save on your learner driver car insurance?
Types of car insurance
When it comes to car insurance, there are three different levels of cover available, and it’s important to understand the differences between them.
It’s worth noting that a comprehensive policy may not necessarily be more expensive than the lower levels of cover, so it’s always wise to compare options before making a decision.
- Third-party only: This is the minimum level of cover required by law in the UK. It only covers the cost of any damage you cause to other people and their property. It won’t cover any damage to your own car or any injuries you sustain in an accident.
- Third-party, fire and theft: This level of cover provides the same protection as third party only, but also includes coverage if your car gets stolen or damaged by fire.
- Comprehensive: This is the highest level of cover available, and it provides the most extensive protection. In addition to covering damage to other people and their property, it also covers damage to your own car and any injuries you sustain in an accident. This means that if your car is damaged and requires repairs or is written off and needs to be replaced, you’ll be covered.
How long does it take to learn to drive?
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency reports that it takes an average of 45 hours of driving lessons and 22 hours of private practice to pass your driving test.
However, it’s important to remember that this is just an average, and the actual amount of time it takes to become a confident and safe driver can vary from person to person.
What does learner driver car insurance cover?
If you’re planning to practice driving outside of your regular lessons with a driving instructor, it’s essential to have learner driver car insurance in place. This type of insurance provides protection and peace of mind while you’re still learning and gaining experience behind the wheel.
Here are some of the things that learner driver insurance typically covers:
- Legal liability: This covers you if you cause an accident and injure someone or damage their property.
- Medical expenses: If you or one of your passengers is injured in the vehicle, learner driver insurance can help cover medical expenses.
- Theft or fire damage: If the vehicle you’re driving is stolen or damaged by fire, learner driver insurance can help cover the costs of repair or replacement.
- Repairs or replacement: If the vehicle you’re driving is written off or needs repairs, learner driver insurance can help cover the costs.
- Taking your driving test: Learner driver insurance typically covers you for taking your driving test in the car you’re insured to drive.
However, there are some things that learner driver insurance won’t cover, such as:
- Mileage restrictions: Some policies may have restrictions on when you can drive and the number of miles you can cover.
- Driving without a qualified driver: Typically, you’ll need to be accompanied by a qualified driver who is over 21 years old and has held a driving licence for at least three years.
- Driving after passing your test: Once you’ve passed your driving test, you won’t be covered by learner driver insurance, even if you’re driving home from the test centre. You’ll need to make other arrangements for insurance at that point.
Be sure to read the terms and conditions of your learner driver insurance policy carefully to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered.
How much can you save on your learner driver car insurance?
Who is learner driver car insurance suitable for?
Learner driver car insurance is suitable for anyone who wishes to practice driving in their own vehicle or a friend/family member’s car between their regular driving lessons.
How much does learner driver car insurance cost?
The cost of learner driver car insurance varies and depends on several factors such as your age, the level of cover you require, the duration of the policy, and the specific details of the car you plan to drive.
What details do I need to get a quote?
To get a quote for learner driver insurance, you’ll need to provide the following details:
- Personal information: Your full name, address, and date of birth.
- Provisional licence number: You’ll need to have a provisional driving licence to qualify for learner driver insurance. Make sure you have your licence number handy.
- Vehicle information: You’ll need to provide details about the car you plan to drive, including its type and age.
- Registered keeper details: You’ll also need to provide information about the registered keeper of the vehicle, such as their name and address.
How can I get cheap learner driver car insurance quotes?
If you’re looking to get learner driver insurance at a lower cost, there are a few things you can consider:
- Comparing policies: It’s important to shop around and compare different policies to find the right one for you at a competitive price. Compare annual policies against short-term options to figure out what works best for you and your budget.
- Additional drivers: Adding an experienced named driver to your policy if you have your own car can help lower your premiums. However, make sure you’re truthful about who will be driving the car most, as failing to do so is considered as ‘fronting‘ which is insurance fraud.
- Adjusting your excess: By increasing your voluntary excess, you may be able to save on your premiums. Keep in mind that your excess should still be affordable, as you’ll be required to pay this amount if you have to make a claim.
- Policy restrictions: Some policies may offer lower premiums if you agree to certain restrictions, such as only driving during specific hours or keeping below a mileage limit.
Black box insurance
If you’re a younger driver looking to save on insurance costs, black box insurance (also known as telematics insurance) may be a great option for you.
With black box insurance, a device is fitted to your car to record your driving behaviour. The data collected is then analysed by the insurer, and if you’re driving safely, it may result in lower premiums.
Some of the benefits of black box insurance include:
- Lower premiums: If you’re a safe driver, you may be able to lower your insurance premiums with black box insurance.
- Personalised premiums: Black box insurance policies are tailored to your specific driving behaviour, so you can be rewarded for safe driving habits.
- Increased safety: The knowledge that your driving is being monitored may encourage you to drive more safely and responsibly.
It’s important to note that black-box insurance isn’t right for everyone. If you’re someone who values privacy, you may not be comfortable with the idea of having your driving behaviour monitored.
Additionally, if you’re someone who tends to drive aggressively or take risks on the road, black box insurance may not result in lower premiums for you.
If you’re considering black box insurance, be sure to do your research and compare policies to find the right one for your needs.
Why are learner drivers more at risk?
Learner drivers are considered riskier because of their inexperience behind the wheel. As a result, they may find it harder to spot potential hazards and make quick and safe decisions while driving.
Due to this increased risk, insurers may view learner drivers as a higher liability and charge them higher premiums for coverage.
However, by taking steps to improve their driving skills and gaining more experience on the road, learner drivers can lower their risk and potentially lower their insurance costs as well.
Frequently asked questions
The duration of learner driver insurance depends on the policy and provider you choose. It can be short-term for a few months, weeks, or even days, or you could opt for an annual policy.
Yes, multiple learner drivers can be added to an existing car insurance policy, but each provisional licence holder will require a separate learner driver policy.
Yes, you can add a learner driver to your car insurance policy. Contact your insurer and request to add them to your policy. However, it may be expensive, so it’s best to compare the cost with learner driver insurance options.
No, learner driver insurance is not valid after passing your driving test. To drive after passing, you’ll need a standard car insurance policy.
Dual insurance means having the same level of coverage for your car or yourself on two different policies, which can be a waste of money. This is different from learner driver insurance, which is a separate policy from the main car insurance policy.
If a learner driver is added to the car owner’s insurance policy and needs to make a claim, it will affect the car owner’s No Claims Discount (NCD).
This can increase the cost of the car owner’s annual premium, making it more expensive. It is advisable to take out a standalone learner driver policy instead.
If you have an annual learner driver insurance policy and do not make any claims within the first year, you can earn a No Claims Discount (NCD).
You can’t drive abroad using a provisional driving licence. It’s important to check the policy details and wait until you get a full licence before driving abroad.
If you want to be insured on more than one car, such as your parent’s vehicles, you’ll need to be added separately to each policy or take out separate learner driver policies for each car.
Yes, if your learner driver insurance allows it, you can drive at night with a provisional licence as long as you’re accompanied by a qualified driver.
However, it’s important to read the terms and conditions of your policy carefully to avoid invalidating it.
Yes, a learner driver can drive on the motorway, but only with an approved driving instructor and in a car equipped with dual controls.
Learner driver insurance will cover you for your driving test if you are using your own car.
However, once you pass your test, you will need to have a regular car insurance policy in place to drive home from the test centre. If you’re taking the test in your driving instructor’s car, they will have insurance to cover you.
Yes, you can accumulate points on your provisional licence, just like with a full licence.
Speeding, using your phone, or driving alone could result in points on your licence, which can carry over to your full licence once you pass the test.
Changing cars during the term of your learner driver policy may be possible, but it could come with a fee.