Young drivers can keep their insurance premiums down by doing this

Car insurance is more expensive for drivers under the age of 25 than it is for older people as they pose a higher risk, according to statistics.

MotorHappy, a local car insurance comparison company, has provided a number of suggestions for younger drivers to decrease their insurance premiums as much as possible.

What you can do

“Insurance companies generally deem young people as high risk, owing to their lack of extensive driving experience, and therefore higher risk of accidents,” said Barend Smit, Marketing Director of MotorHappy.

“People under the age of 25 have the worst driving records, higher accident rates, and more expensive accidents than other age groups.”

It is recommended that young individuals looking for a car consider the insurance before deciding on the vehicle itself.

A small car with a good safety rating will have lower premiums than a high-powered vehicle that can achieve a higher top speed, as this is considered to be dangerous among young drivers.

Features such as passenger and rear airbags, as well as anti-lock brakes (ABS), will also help to lower your premiums. In fact, the more safety equipment installed, the better.

Smit also advises that new drivers do their research and find the best policy for their needs, such as comprehensive or third-party cover, before committing to a plan.

“A higher excess might mean lower premiums, which can help in the short term. But if you are involved in an accident, can you afford to pay the excess amount?” he said.

Of course, a lack of vehicle-related incidents and a lack of insurance claims will also have a positive effect on the amount you pay each month.

In this regard, driving cautiously and within the speed limit at all times will lower your chances of an accident.

“The better your claims history is, the better your chances are of saving on premiums,” said MotorHappy.

Going on a defensive driving course may also help to lower your insurance costs by giving you better driving skills, it added.

It’s also suggested that, when your car accumulates small bumps and scratches, you repair and pay for them yourself rather than claim, as frequent claims will result in increases in your premiums.

One final thing that new car owners can do to lower their insurance is to ensure that their vehicle is kept safe. This typically means securing the car in a garage at night and installing a tracking device.