All insurance companies should refuse to cover any driver under 21 if the cc exceeds 1.2 or 1.5 if it is a diesel. If their claims are that boy racers are putting up the costs then this should limit the premiums?? The term "new drivers" does not necessarily mean young drivers so that argument does not stand up. If someone passes their test at 25 they are deemed to be more efficient or less of a risk, due to their age. If parents controlled the little brats that tear up and down the streets and fit 6000w entertainment systems that blare out all hours of the early morning, this may also help the sensible road users gain reduced premiums?? :)

Yeah Quinn are especially good at this my daughters original £1100 insurance (hers) rose by nearly £500 after she passed her test. On top of that she couldn't renew over christmas after some mess up by one of their own staff and that cost me another £70 for the privilege and she still doesn't have cover. My advice is to go elsewhere !

I too was surprised to find this out recently. The justification goes something along the lines that the car will be used more when the policy holder has a full licence. They also seem to talk about boy racers whenever their premiums are challenged. I do not know the total premium but, for what many young drivers are paying, you could buy a car in another country, take out insurance there to cover driving in the UK, ship the car here and still have enough left over to spend on something nice.

My daughter bought a small 1.1 renault clio back in september 2007, and Insured it in her name with me, her dad, as a named driver.

I have full NCB and have no convictions or accidents. She was a 17 year old learner driver and we insured the car with Quinn, Third party fire and theft. My other daughter was also insured with quinn and we found them to be an excellent insurance company with first class customer service and communication.

In dec 2007 my daughter passed her test, and naturally we contacted the insurer to tell them of the good news.

Good news for them that is, as we were informed that she had an extra £300 insurance to pay for passing.

I am aware that young learner drivers are a high insurance risk, and are prone to having accidents within the first years of driving. As a new driver, now on her own as opposed to having someone with her, I am aware of the increased risk. I was somewhat suprised with the £300 increase ( it would have been more but this is pro rata for the remainding 9 months).

Surely this is the latest little gem by insurers to profit from the youger drivers. Also catch 22, dont pay the extra, and you do not get a no claims discount and also pay the extra admin fees for cancelling the policy early, or you just go with it.

Internet searches for her show that all insurance companies now seem to add £300 - £400 for passing, This was not the case in 2006, when my other daughter passed and there was no increase with Quinn.