Compare Car Insurance For 18-Year-Olds

Take out your own policy

Taking out cover in your own name is usually the right option if you own the car or drive it most often.
Become a named driver

You could be added to someone else’s policy so long as you aren't the main driver.
Get learner-driver insurance

Learner-driver insurance can cover private practice while you hold a provisional licence.
Consider temporary insurance

Temporary car insurance may suit short or occasional periods of driving.

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Compare quotes from 197^{^} trusted insurers in minutes

Get your own policy
- You can start building your own no-claims discount
- Ideal when the 18-year-old is the main driver
- It's often more expensive initially
- Claims will only affect your policy, not your parents'
Join my parents' policy
- You usually won't build your own no-claims discount
- It's better if you're genuinely not the main driver
- It may work out cheaper, but this isn't guaranteed
- Claims may affect the main driver’s policy and premiums

⚠️ Make sure the main driver is declared correctly

Listing a parent as the main driver when you actually use the car most is known as fronting, and this will likely invalidate your insurance - it could be treated as fraud. You can add an experienced driver to a policy in your own name if they will genuinely use the car, and while it might reduce some quotes, it could increase others.

Your parent may also be able to pay for the policy, depending on the insurer’s own rules - this doesn't change who should be listed as the policyholder or main driver. Named drivers do not usually build their own no-claims discount, although some insurers may recognise their driving experience when they later buy a policy.

How much is car insurance for 18-year-olds?

Car insurance can be expensive at 18, with recent MoneySuperMarket data showing drivers aged 17-19 paid on average £1433.77^{^} for cover - more than any other age group. This is largely because insurers have limited information about your driving history and may consider you more likely to make a claim than an older, more experienced driver.

However, insurers also consider a number of other factors, including the car you drive, where you live, how you use your car, and the type of policy you take out.

Drivers aged 17-19

£1433.77 ^{^}

Drivers aged 20-29

£941.66 ^{^}

Drivers aged 30-39

£630.72 ^{^}

Drivers aged 40-49

£519.44 ^{^}

Why is car insurance so expensive for young drivers?

Insurers calculate prices partly by looking at how likely different groups of drivers are to make a claim and how much those claims could cost. Young drivers have less experience on the road and usually have little or no insurance history, giving insurers less individual evidence to assess.

Government figures show that drivers aged 17 to 24 represented only 6% of licence holders but were involved in 24% of fatal and serious collisions in Great Britain in 2024. Road-safety charity Brakealso reports that one in five drivers crashes within a year of passing their test.

This does not mean every young driver is unsafe. However, the higher overall risk associated with age and limited experience is reflected in insurance prices. Your own premium will also depend on your car, address, mileage, driving history and the cover you choose.

Why can car insurance cost more after I pass my test?

Learner drivers are normally supervised, but passing your test means you can start driving alone. Insurers may therefore consider you a higher risk, particularly while you have limited experience on a full licence.

Your learner policy may also end when you pass, so the insurer will need to recalculate the price using your new licence status and how you expect to use the car. Your premium will not always increase, but you should compare full-licence cover before driving without supervision.

Fully comprehensive

Fully comprehensive car insurance policies offer the most cover out of all your options, protecting you and your vehicle as well as any third-party damage
The average cost of a fully comprehensive policy for drivers aged 17-19 was £1433.77^{^}
Third-party, fire and theft

Third-party, fire and theft policies will insure you against damage to another person, their car or property, as well as theft and fire damage for your own car
The average cost of a third-party, fire and theft policy for drivers aged 17-19 was £1597.43^{^}
Third-party only

Third-party only car insurance is the minimum legal requirement to drive on UK roads – it only covers you against damage to a third-party, their car or their property
The average cost of a third-party only policy for drivers aged 17-19 was £1266.10^{^}

Can I save money with a telematics policy at 18?

You may be able to save money as an 18-year-old motorist if you take out a telematics car insurance policy. MoneySuperMarket data shows that the cheapest available telematics policy for drivers aged 17-19 costs -42%^{^} less than the cheapest non-telematics policy.

Telematics insurance uses a black box, plug-in device or mobile app to collect information about your driving. Depending on the policy, it may monitor your speed, braking, acceleration, cornering, mileage and the times you drive - the insurer can use this information to calculate your price or assess your driving during the policy.

Age group	% price difference: non-telematics vs telematics	Absolute price difference: non-telematics vs telematics
17-19	-42%^{^}	-£1288^{^}
20-29	-18%^{^}	-£272^{^}
30-39	5%^{^}	£40^{^}

It may suit you if:
- You drive fairly predictable journeys
- You do a relatively low annual mileage
- You rarely drive late at night
- You are comfortable sharing driving data
- You can reliably use the required app or device
- You get a relatively cheaper quote than without it
It may not suit you if:
- You regularly work late or irregular hours
- You drive long or unpredictable distances
- You may exceed the policy’s mileage allowance
- Several people regularly share the car
- You cannot keep the required phone app active
- The policy restrictions do not suit your routine

Compare telematics car insurance

Pick a sensible car

Insurance groups range from 1 (cheapest to insure) to 50 (most expensive) - choosing a car in a lower insurance group can help reduce your premium.
Choose fully comprehensive

Fully comprehensive insurance often costs less than third-party cover, while offering more protection.
Pay annually if you can

Paying for your policy in one annual payment can be cheaper than paying monthly, as instalments may include interest or credit charges.
Choose a higher excess

A higher voluntary excess may reduce some quotes, but it also increases the amount you may need to pay if you make a claim.
Avoid unnecessary extras

Optional add-ons like breakdown cover or legal protection can increase the cost of your policy, so only include extras you genuinely need.
Reduce your mileage

Lower annual mileage can sometimes lead to lower premiums - but you should estimate your mileage realistically based on how often you drive.

How much is the total excess?

The excess is the amount you may need to pay towards a claim before your insurer picks up the rest. A car insurance policy can include:

A compulsory excess set by the insurer
A voluntary excess chosen by you
An additional young-driver excess
Separate excesses for windscreen, fire or theft claims

More than one excess may apply to the same claim, so you should look for the total amount and make sure you could realistically afford it.

Does the policy cover how I use the car?

Choose a class of use that accurately reflects how you use your car - this may include:

Social, domestic and pleasure use
Commuting to one regular place of work or study
Travelling to different workplaces
Business driving

Don't assume that social-only cover includes travelling to work, college or university - tell the insurer where the car is normally kept, including any term-time addresses.

When will I receive a courtesy car?

Courtesy-car cover varies between policies, so it’s important to check exactly what is included before you buy. Some policies include a courtesy car automatically, while others only provide one after certain types of claims, such as accidents.

You should also check whether cover extends to theft or write-off situations, whether you need to use an approved repairer, and whether a vehicle is guaranteed or only provided subject to availability. It’s also worth looking at the type and size of car you would receive, as this can differ between insurers.

A courtesy car may be particularly important if you rely on your vehicle for work, education or daily commitments, so make sure the level of cover suits your needs.

Which repairers can I use?

Some policies require you to use an approved repairer, so it’s important to understand how this could affect you before choosing cover. If you decide to use your own garage instead, the terms of your policy may change.

For example, you might have to pay an additional excess, lose access to a courtesy car, receive a shorter repair guarantee, or arrange collection and delivery of your vehicle yourself. Checking these details in advance can help you avoid unexpected costs or inconvenience if you need to make a claim.

What fees could I be charged?

Insurers may charge for making changes during the policy, so you should look out for the following charges:

Changing your car or address
Adding or removing a driver
Cancelling the policy
Replacing documents
Installing or removing a telematics device
Buying additional mileage

This is particularly important at 18 because your address, car, job or education arrangements may change during the year.

What optional extras do I need?

Optional extras can improve your cover, but you may not need all of them - and keep in mind they'll often increase the overall cost of cover. Common add-ons include:

Breakdown cover
Motor legal protection
Key cover
Personal accident cover
Excess protection
Enhanced courtesy-car cover

Check whether you already have similar protection through another policy, packaged bank account, vehicle warranty or breakdown membership.

Our expert says…

Drivers aged 17 to 19 typically pay some of the highest premiums, so finding the right balance between price and cover really matters. A slightly higher premium could mean a lower excess or fewer restrictions, which can make things easier if you ever need to claim.
Take a moment to check what you’ll pay over the year, what you’d need to contribute after a claim, and whether the policy fits how you actually drive. With the right choice, you can get good cover and start building your driving confidence.

Sara Newell Motor & Home Insurance Expert

What do I need to get a car insurance quote?

Make sure you have the following details to hand as you'll need them to get a quote:

Your personal details, including date of birth, address, occupation or student status, and licence type
Car details, such as its registration, make and model, ownership, modifications and security features
How you’ll use the car, including annual mileage, commuting or business use, where it’s parked, and when cover starts
Cover preferences, meaning any additional drivers, no-claims discount, cover level, voluntary excess and optional extras

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drivesure

Annual Price

£1,483.29
Cover

Fully Comprehensive
Excess

Total £750, Compulsory £500, Voluntary £250

Get a quote

Mobile app telematics Your driving will be monitored by a smartphone app. There are no curfews and you'll get a discount for good driving on renewal.

Great for

Courtesy car: comes as standard
Personal injury and legal cover: comes as standard
Windscreen cover: comes as standard

But be aware that

Breakdown cover: available from £30

This is for illustrative purposes only. If your circumstances and cover needs differ, your quote may be more or less expensive than the above example.
Learn more about ourfull methodology here.

Do driving courses reduce the cost of car insurance for 18-year-olds?

Driving courses such as Pass Plus can be a great option to help you become a better driver – however, according to MoneySuperMarket data having this qualification will not actually make a difference to your car insurance premiums.

Can my parents help me get cheaper cover?

Your parents may be able to help you get cheaper car insurance. If you’re a young driver with little experience on the road, adding your parent as a more experienced named driver to your policy will tell insurers that you aren’t solely responsible for the car. This reduces the risk for the insurer, and in turn they’ll often give you a discount.

Bear in mind that it won’t work the opposite way – if your parents add you to their policy it’s likely they’ll see a rise in premiums. This is because while adding a motorist with experience can bring the overall risk level down, adding a young and inexperienced to a policy brings the risk level up.

As a result, premiums will also go up for the main policy holder – in this case, your parents.

Do I need car insurance if I’m learning to drive?

Yes, you’ll always need at least third party car insurance if you’re driving on UK roads – this is true whether you’re learning or fully qualified. However, whether you need to provide insurance depends on the circumstances:

If you’re taking lessons through a driving school: they are likely to have insurance in place that covers the instructor, the car and the learner
If you’re taking private lessons, or lessons with a family member or friend: you’ll need to ensure you have cover in place.

You may opt for temporary or short-term cover instead, to protect you while you’re practising, then take out a full annual policy once you’ve passed your test.

What happens to learner insurance when I pass my test?

Your learner policy might stop as soon as you pass. Before you drive home or head out on your own, double-check your cover and make sure you’ve got a policy that lets you drive on a full licence.

You can legally drive straight after passing, but only if your insurance allows you to drive unsupervised.

What type of car insurance do I need as a student?

If you’re a student you’ll still need to take out at least third-party car insurance to legally drive on UK roads. You can still opt for certain policy types, such as telematics, named driver insurance, or temporary cover.

Which address should I use if I live at university?

Be honest about both your home and term-time addresses when you’re asked, as insurers need to know where you live and where the car is usually kept. If your situation doesn’t quite fit the questions on the form, it’s worth contacting the insurer before you buy.

What add-ons are worth considering as an 18-year-old driver?

You can pay for add-ons to your car insurance policy to give you more cover. Breakdown cover, for example, protects you and your vehicle if you break down away from your home while windscreen cover will allow you to claim on your insurance if your windscreen gets cracked or chipped.

How do I earn a no claims bonus?

For every year that you don’t make a claim on your car insurance, you’ll build up a no claims bonus. This will allow you money off your premium in the following year and can be a good way to bring down your overall costs.

Will my parent’s no-claims discount be affected if I claim?

It could be - if you make a claim as a named driver, it goes through the policy you’re on. Whether it affects your parent’s no-claims discount or renewal price depends on the details of the claim and whether their discount is protected.

What type of cover is best for first-time drivers?

Fully comprehensive cover offers the highest level of protection for new drivers. With fully comp, you'll have financial protection for damage to your car and the third-party's car or property if you're involved in an accident.

Can I compare quotes before buying my first car?

Yes, and it’s a good idea - try comparing quotes using the exact make, model, engine and trim of the cars you’re considering. Once you’ve picked one, make sure your final quote and policy have all the correct details, like the registration, ownership and value.

Can I insure a modified car?

You might be able to, but you’ll need to declare any modifications when you get a quote, or tell your insurer before making changes during your policy. Things like performance upgrades, suspension changes, new wheels or bodywork can affect the price or limit which insurers will cover you.

Can I get car insurance if I have penalty points or a previous claim?

Just make sure you declare any penalty points, convictions, accidents or claims when asked. You might see fewer quotes or higher prices - if that happens, a specialist broker could help you find cover.

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Car insurance for 18-year-olds