Age
Younger drivers pay the most expensive premiums as they’re seen as high-risk drivers.
Car insurance for 21-year-olds
Compare cheap car insurance quotes for 21 year olds
We compare car insurance from 186^ providers
We do the hard work for you, comparing deals from the biggest providers in the UK so you can get the right cover.
How much does car insurance cost for 21-year-olds?
As a young driver, a 21-year-old can expect to pay a relatively high premium. Our data shows that even for the cheapest 10% of policies, 17-24-year-olds pay up to £588.42.
The good news is that as you gain driving experience the risk usually lowers and premiums drop. Drivers aged 25-29 pay up to £393.42 for the cheapest 10% of policies.
Is car insurance cheaper after turning 21?
Yes, car insurance for 21-year-olds is usually cheaper than it is for younger teenage drivers. But you’re still likely to pay more than older, more experienced drivers. That’s because insurers see young drivers as a greater risk.
The latest Department for Transport data shows that those aged 17-24 are disproportionately involved in car accidents, accounting for about fifth of all killed or seriously injured casualties from collisions involving cars.
What factors will affect my premium when I turn 21?
Many factors impact the cost of car insurance when you’re 21 including the following:
-
-
Profession
If you use your car for your job, and how risky an insurer sees the job, will affect your costs.
-
Address
Drivers who live in a low-crime area will usually pay less for their insurance costs.
-
Type of car
Cars in lower insurance groups are cheaper to insure.
-
Where your car is kept
It’s best to keep your car in a locked garage or car park if possible to keep your insurance costs down.
-
Driving history
Previous claims, driving convictions, or penalty points can increase your premium.
-
Type of insurance
Fully comprehensive is usually the cheapest type of insurance but you may make further savings with a telematics policy.
What type of car insurance do I need at 21 years old?
When you take out car insurance at 21, you’ll have three levels of cover to pick: comprehensive, third-party insurance, and third-party, fire and theft. Insurance providers offer these three levels of cover as standard although fully comprehensive cover is usually the cheapest option for most people.
-
Fully comprehensive
Fully comprehensive car insurance offers the most coverage of all policy types, and is usually the cheapest. It’ll cover you for third-party damage as well as damage to your own car
-
Third-party, fire and theft
Third-party, fire and theft policies offer cover for third-party damage, but only protects you if your car is stolen or damaged by fire
-
Third-party only
Third-party car insurance is the minimum legal requirement, but only offers cover for damage you do to a third party, their property or their vehicle – it won’t cover damage to your own car
How can 21-year-olds get cheaper car insurance?
The cost of car insurance is on average more for 21-year-olds than it is for older drivers but there are still ways to cut costs. To find the cheapest car insurance policy, you’ll need to compare costs and the following tips can also help to lower your premiums.
Telematics
Telematics cover, also known as black box insurance, is when your provider monitors your driving habits through a device or app, and rewards good driving habits with discounts on premiums.
Short-term cover
A short-term car insurance policy might be useful if you only need temporary cover – for example, sharing driving time on a road trip or borrowing a car to move home. You can usually find policies lasting anywhere from hours to months.
Mileage
The longer you spend on the road, the more likely you are to be involved in a road accident or incident that would cause you to claim on your policy. Driving fewer miles means lowering this risk, so your premiums should go down.
Excess
You’ll usually have the option to choose how much voluntary excess you’ll pay towards a claim, and opting for a higher amount usually lowers your premium because your insurer has less to pay out. Just be sure you can afford the excess so you will be able to claim when you need to.
Pay annually
Paying your car insurance yearly might mean spending a big chunk of money up front, but the total cost usually works out cheaper than spreading it over 12 months as you won’t pay interest.
Extras
Car insurance policies can come with a range of extra features to bolster your cover, but keep in mind that they will often raise the cost of your policy, so consider if you really need them first.
Modifications
It can be tempting to add after-factory modifications to your car, whether it’s to improve its aesthetics or performance, but these will often cause your premiums to rise. The modifications could mean your car will be harder to repair or make it more attractive to thieves.
Security
Keeping your car on a private driveway, or in a locked garage if possible, will keep it safer from thieves and vandals, and the reduced risk generally translates into cheaper cover.
No-claims bonus
If you’ve had your own insurance police for a year or more without claiming for any incidents you’ll benefit from a no-claims bonus.
Become a named driver
Instead of taking out your own insurance you could be added to a parent’s policy as a named driver. Be aware that while this should work out cheaper than having your own separate policy it could increase costs for the policyholder.
Compare providers
Getting quotes from multiple insurers is especially important at 21 because different providers assess young driver risk differently.
Example quote when comparing car insurance for a 21 year old
drivesure
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 our full methodology here.
Our expert says…
So far in 2025, prices have been consistently falling for young drivers, according to our data. Premiums still remain much higher than for other age groups though so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal and considering specialist policies such as telematics insurance.
Sarah Tooze Car & Van Insurance Expert
Why compare car insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket?
We compare some the best providers in the market to find you the cheapest car insurance quotes, which makes it quick and easy to find personalised cover in minutes.
-
Trusted
We're trusted by our customers. We only work with insurance providers authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
-
Save Time & Money
For free, compare tailored quotes in minutes and find the cheapest deal for you. If you find the same deal for less, we'll price match* and give you a £20 gift card.
-
Earn Rewards
Buy car insurance through us and get unlimited access to free days out (on our app) and much more with SuperSaveClub.
*Restrictions and T&Cs apply, click here for details.
Trusted Service Awards Winners
MoneySuperMarket has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
How can I find cheap car insurance quotes for 21 year olds?
Finding affordable car insurance as a 21-year-old is quick and easy when you compare quotes with MoneySuperMarket. Just tell us about yourself, your car and the cover you need, and we’ll search the market for policies that meet your requirements.
You’ll be able to compare deals by the overall annual and monthly cost, the protection the policy offers and the amount you’ll need to pay in excess to make a claim. Once you’ve found the one you want, just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.
How does my no-claims bonus affect my car insurance?
If you can go for a year or longer without making a claim on your car insurance policy, you’ll build up a no-claims bonus – and this lets you get a discount on your car insurance premiums. The longer you go without claiming, the more you’ll usually save.
How does my job affect my car insurance?
Insurers consider a range of factors when setting your premiums, and your job is one of them as certain occupations present higher risks than others.
Insurers have databases of previous claims and if certain job titles come up more frequently than others, then those people are likely to pay more for cover.
You can try our car insurance job picker to see if there are similar job titles that could save you money.
Can I get breakdown cover added to my car insurance policy?
Yes, you can. Most standard car insurance providers will offer optional breakdown cover as an add-on to your car insurance policy for higher premiums. You can also buy breakdown cover as a standalone insurance.
This insurance will help you cover emergency costs if your car breaks down and you're left stranded. It can cover roadside assistance, tow fees, repairs from home if your car won't start, and even transport to get you home.
Can I still use my learner driver insurance once I pass my driving test?
No. Once you pass your driving test, your learner driver insurance cover will be invalid. To drive with a full UK licence, it is a legal requirement that new drivers take out the right insurance.
Does car insurance get cheaper when you turn 21?
Young drivers usually pay over the odds for car insurance because they’re seen as high risk, and this includes 21-year-olds, but your costs will usually be cheaper than someone who has just passed their test.
Even two or three years of driving history is enough to knock your premiums down by a few hundred pounds. You may also have had enough time to build up a no-claims discount on your policy, which will bring the price down even further.
Should 21-year-olds pay monthly or yearly for car insurance?
If you can afford it then it’s cheaper to pay for your car insurance in one annual payment rather than spreading it across 12 months as you’ll pay interest each month.
MoneySuperMarket data indicates that motorists can save up to £267
How does MoneySuperMarket create and review the content on the website?
At MoneySuperMarket, we want to give you clear, accurate and trustworthy information so you can make confident financial decisions for your circumstances.
Every page on our website goes through a careful editorial process before it is published. It’s written or reviewed by one of our experienced experts, checked for accuracy, and updated regularly to reflect the latest information.
We do use AI tools to support our research and drafting, but a human editor is always in the loop to review, fact-check and approve everything before it’s published, so you can trust that what you’re reading is both reliable and up to date.
You can read more in our editorial guidelines.
How does MoneySuperMarket make money?
We get paid by the companies we work with, but the payment we get doesn’t have any bearing on the information we provide. We get paid in different ways, depending on the type of product or service you buy through us. Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible, but we only show results from our partner providers.
Our comparison service is, and will always be, free to use.
Why should I use a price comparison website?
One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
We don’t give recommendations or financial advice, but we give you clear information so you can choose financial products that suit your circumstances.
Does MoneySuperMarket work with all the providers on the market?
No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
Is car insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy car insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
This includes:
Up to £15, which you can withdraw as a pre-paid Mastercard or a gift card for brands like Sainsbury's and Amazon.co.uk
Free Days Out pass (worth £180), which gives free entry to a range of UK attractions
Cashback of up to 10% when you spend at brands including eBay, Just Eat and Argos
To earn SuperSaveClub rewards on purchases you must:
Sign up to SuperSaveClub (it's free)
Be signed in to your account when you make the purchase
More information can be found on our SuperSaveClub homepage.
Is car insurance eligible for Price Promise?
Yes, car insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.
If you buy through us then find the same deal for less we will:
refund the difference
give you a gift card worth up to £20
Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.
Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026 by
SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
Based on MoneySuperMarket quoted policies for annual car insurance, between August 7th 2024 and November 5th 2024
The number of providers for travel insurance in August 2025
Using the 10th percentile of premiums, based on a daily rate for an individual aged 30 with no pre-existing medical conditions, taking single trip cover for 3 days to France. Using Moneysupermarket policies sold between October 2025 and December 2025. Moneysupermarket data correct as of 2026-01-14.
SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket in December 2025.
Based on an individual aged 30 with no pre-existing medical conditions, taking European cover. Cover starts on 13th November. Moneysupermarket data correct as of 10th Nov 2025
Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for single trip cover in December 2025.
Based on 1 visit per month – average ticket value £15.30 (Oct 24)
T&Cs and restrictions apply, see here for more information
Accurate as of 14 January 2026.
