Fully comprehensive
Fully comprehensive car insurance policies offer the most coverage out of all your options, protecting you and your vehicle as well as any third-party damage
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 does car insurance work?
Car insurance is a legal requirement and gives you financial protection in case you are involved in a road accident or your car is stolen or damaged. It’s easy to find the right car insurance using MoneySuperMarket, all you need to do is:
-
Fill out our quote form
We’ll need some details about you, such as your name, address, driving licence number and how many miles you expect to drive each year, as well as some information about the car you’d like to insure, such as its registration number
-
Compare quotes
We’ll find you the cheapest quotes from 184^ trusted insurers, saving you time and money. There are lots of ways you can alter your quotes to save money, including adjusting your excess and choosing whether to pay annually or monthly
-
Start saving
Choose the policy that best suits your needs and complete your purchase. You’ll be covered from the date you set your policy to start. You should look through your policy documents from your insurer to make sure you understand any restrictions
What types of car insurance are available for 18-year-olds?
Car insurance policies come in three main types, each offering different levels of cover:
-
-
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
-
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
What types of policies should 18-year-olds know about?
Policy type | Who does it suit? | How does it work? |
|---|---|---|
Drivers who personally drive in a low-risk way but belong to demographic groups insurers consider higher-risk. This includes young people, new drivers and drivers with criminal records | It involves using either a black box, a plug-in device or an app on your phone to monitor your driving habits. Insurers usually reward good driving habits with lower prices at renewal | |
Drivers who are yet to pass their driving test and are driving with a provisional licence | It can be set up as: - A standalone short-term policy - An additional policy to an existing annual insurance policy, which activates during private practice lessons. This protects the vehicle owner’s no claims bonus | |
Drivers facing high premiums such as young people and new drivers | Adding a more experienced driver to your policy, such as a parent or relative tells insurers it won’t just be you driving the car, and that responsibility will be shared with an experienced motorist – lowering the overall risk for the insurer |
Can you get insured on a parent's car?
Yes, you can be a named driver (also known as an additional driver) on a parent’s insurance policy. This could be cheaper than you taking out your own insurance. However, it’s important that your parent is the one who will be using the car the most, otherwise it could be considered fronting.
What is fronting?
Fronting is an illegal practice where you falsely list someone else (usually a more experienced driver) as the main driver to get cheaper insurance.
It can lead to severe consequences, including voided policies and prosecution for fraud. If you only use your parent’s car occasionally then being a named driver is a legitimate way to avoid the high fees of insuring your own car.
Enter your car reg and compare quotes
Compare quotes from 186
How much does car insurance cost for 18-year-olds?
Eighteen year olds are among the youngest drivers on the road and that means they face higher premiums than older, more experienced drivers as they’re statistically more likely to have an accident.
The latest Department for Transport data shows that young drivers (typically 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.
Young male car drivers are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with all car drivers aged 25 or over. Premiums are also higher for new drivers as they haven’t had chance to build up a no-claims bonus.
What is the average cost for an 18-year-old?
In fact, according to the latest data, those aged 17-19 paid £1442.93
Age group | Average premium |
|---|---|
17-19 year olds | £1442.93^ |
20-29 year olds | £1016.88^ |
30-39 year olds | £629.51^ |
40-49 year olds | £510.80^ |
Why is car insurance more expensive for 18-year-olds?
Young drivers have always paid more for car insurance, particularly if they're new to the road and are driving their first car. That’s because:
New drivers have little to no experience on the road and, therefore, are riskier to insure
Young drivers are statistically more likely to have an accident - they account for about fifth of all killed or seriously injured casualties from collisions involving cars. Young men are particularly at risk as they are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with all car drivers aged 25 or over
Research suggests young drivers are more likely to take risks like dangerous overtaking or speeding due to brain development, over-confidence and not being able to assess hazards as well as more experienced drivers can
Peer pressure can make young drivers ‘show off’ to their passengers and take more risks than if they have older adult passengers, according to road safety charity Brake
New drivers don’t benefit from a no-claims discount
But high premiums don’t last forever – prices will fall naturally as you get older and insurers see you as less of a claim risk. There are also other ways to prove you are a safe driver, such as with telematics insurance, which can lower your costs.
What are the cheapest cars for 18 year olds to insure?
The cheapest cars to insure for 18-year-olds, and most drivers in general, will be those found in lower insurance groups. Car insurance companies sort all cars into an insurance group from one to 50, based on factors like power and performance, ease of repairs and availability of parts – and predictably the lower groups are mostly full of small, low-powered cars.
Using MoneySuperMarket data, we’re able to show you some of the cheapest car makes and models for new drivers to insure in 2023.
Vehicle Model | Average Premium2 |
|---|---|
TOYOTA AYGO PLATINUM | £757.21 |
FIAT 500 POP | £77.65 |
HYUNDAI I10 ACTIVE | £833.15 |
PEUGEOT 107 URBAN | £852.09 |
CITROEN C1 VTR | £858.04 |
VAUXHALL CORSA ENERGY | £874.68 |
SUZUKI ALTO SZ3 | £888.15 |
How can 18-year-olds get cheaper car insurance?
Aside from what’s mentioned above, there are some other steps you can take to get the cheapest car insurance policy possible.
Drive fewer miles
If you’re a new driver it might be difficult to estimate how many miles you’ll drive in a year but it’s important to be as accurate as possible as overestimating it could lead to higher premiums (as insurers think you’re at higher risk of an accident), while underestimating your mileage could lead to a claim being rejected. Use our annual mileage calculator to do the hard work for you.
Pay annually
Paying your car insurance premiums in one annual sum might mean a greater initial outgoing, but the overall cost works out less expensive than making monthly payments as you won’t pay interest. If you’re on a tight student budget though monthly payments may be more manageable for you.
Pay more excess
One of the simplest ways to reduce your insurance cost is to increase your voluntary excess because your insurer has less to pay out. Be careful not to increase your excess so much that you can't afford it if you need to make an insurance claim.
Avoid extras
Car insurance policies can come with a range of extra features at an additional cost. If you’re aiming to keep costs low, you may want to avoid having too many. It’s also worth checking whether you actually need something like personal belongings cover as your home insurance or your parents’ home insurance may cover your personal items outside your home.
Take care with modifications
It can be tempting to install modifications, such as alloy wheels and spoilers, to give your car a customised feel. While some can lower your premiums, such as fitting rear parking sensors, changes related to aesthetics or performance often have the opposite effect.
Improve your car’s security
Having security features like factory-installed alarms and immobilisers on your car and storing your car in a locked garage, if possible, reduces the risk of theft, and can also bring your insurance costs down.
What documents do new drivers need to get car insurance?
Your UK driving licence: so you can provide your driving licence number
Your V5C log book: as proof of your car registration number. But you can still get a quote if you don't know the registration yet, as long as you provide the car’s make and model
You’ll also need to provide information like:
Your name, current address and date of birth
Your expected annual mileage
Example quote when comparing car insurance for a 18 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.
Temporary car insurance for 18-year-olds
Temporary car insurance can be a helpful alternative for 18-year-olds rather than an annual policy if you only need cover for a short length of time. For example:
If you’re learning to drive in your own car or a family member’s car
If you’re test driving a car from a private seller or the car dealership doesn’t provide cover
If you only need to drive during university holidays
If you’re borrowing a friend’s or family member’s car for a house move
If you need to car share on holiday
You can normally find cover lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few months, only paying for what you need.
It’s a much more flexible option than an annual car insurance policy but you’ll usually pay more and some insurers may have a minimum age requirement that is higher than 18-years-old.
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.
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.
Our expert says…
Passing your driving test and getting behind the wheel is an exciting milestone but as young drivers are seen as a higher risk, they will also pay the most expensive costs, on average, for car insurance. However, even if you’re an 18-year-old, there are ways to cut costs, such as upping your excess or paying one annual sum instead of monthly. And you should always make time to compare prices and policies, to make sure you’re picking one that’s right for you – and provides value for money.
Rebecca Goodman Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
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 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.
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.
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.
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 24 Dec 2025 by
Accurate as of 24 December 2025.
Based on the median annual price of comprehensive car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket in October 2025.
Based on the median annual price of comprehensive car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket in October 2025.
Based on the median annual price of comprehensive car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket in October 2025.
Based on the median annual price of comprehensive car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket in October 2025.