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How do people find car insurances for so cheap (i.e. <£1500) ?

Basically, I'm 19 and passed my UK Driving test in December 2009. Since then I'm looking for a cheap car insurance, but the cheapest I find is £3700.

I mean I hear people everywhere that they got it for £800, £1200,... and someone got it for £1350 on a 1.4L with license of just 1 week old.

Yet the cheapest I get is £3700 although my license is more than 1 year old. What could I be doing wrong? (I check it online and also tried calling them, the cheapest quote was from More Than for £3700).

Any help please.

PS I also did Pass Plus and 'wasted' £150 on that. Whats the point of it, if its not going to reduce your insurance?

EDIT - Should I call them or do it online? Does it make a difference?
(edited 13 years ago)

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Reply 1
Avatar for Top Dog
Top Dog
10
Try comparison websites.

Admiral is usaully cheap so give that a go, me (provisional) and my mum dad and brother (passed) are all insured to drive my dads car (Vauxhall Astra) for under £1500.


Is there ever an option on insurances pages for Pass Plus? I have never seen one so if you find somewhere cheap trying phoning for a quote and mentioniong pass plus. Better yet get a quote over the phone and THEN mention pass plus, surely they would give you some discount.
(edited 13 years ago)
I passed my test in Sept last year, and I drive an '09 (new shape) 1.6 Fiesta Econetic. I'm 21.

I pay about £650 for my insurance because:

a) I'm female

b) I live in a "nice" area (and have a private gated drive, less risk of theft etc).

c) I have a good car (ie. not a 1L with no power, not something thats either years old and/or has done tonnes of miles and has been run into the ground).

You're either just going to have to keep looking or save up your money for a little while.
Original post by Lil Piranha
I passed my test in Sept last year, and I drive an '09 (new shape) 1.6 Fiesta Econetic. I'm 21.

I pay about £650 for my insurance because:

a) I'm female

b) I live in a "nice" area (and have a private gated drive, less risk of theft etc).

c) I have a good car (ie. not a 1L with no power, not something thats either years old and/or has done tonnes of miles and has been run into the ground).

You're either just going to have to keep looking or save up your money for a little while.


Your insurance is cheaper because
1) you're 21 + (most accidents occur between ages 18-21 and 65+)
2) Correct
3) Your car is smallish (engine size)

Age has nothing to do with it. The older it is, the cheaper normally. And the same for engine size, smaller = cheaper.
Original post by k.andy
Basically, I'm 19 and passed my UK Driving test in December 2009. Since then I'm looking for a cheap car insurance, but the cheapest I find is £3700.

I mean I hear people everywhere that they got it for £800, £1200,... and someone got it for £1350 on a 1.4L with license of just 1 week old.

Yet the cheapest I get is £3700 although my license is more than 1 year old. What could I be doing wrong? (I check it online and also tried calling them, the cheapest quote was from More Than for £3700).

Any help please.

PS I also did Pass Plus and 'wasted' £150 on that. Whats the point of it, if its not going to reduce your insurance?


What type of car are you trying to insurance? The older and smaller engine sizes will be cheaper. If you're trying to insure a special edition of any type, a car with a big engine or a newer car, your insurance will be put up. It will also be higher for your age, your area and the location of your car over night.
Original post by KellyWellyWoo537

Age has nothing to do with it. The older it is, the cheaper normally. And the same for engine size, smaller = cheaper.


Actually not so much anymore. It used to be, but now the trend is that insurance is more expensive for an older car because it is more likely to become faulty and need work, and a smaller engine size is considered a lot less safe than a larger one (particularly if you intend to drive on the motorway, which let's face it, most people will at some point). Conversely the insurance will also rocket if you go much over a 1.8L because of inexperience, but as a general rule you'll pay less on insurance for a 1.4L than a 1L if you have two identical cars.
Reply 6
Avatar for k.andy
k.andy
OP
Original post by Lil Piranha
I passed my test in Sept last year, and I drive an '09 (new shape) 1.6 Fiesta Econetic. I'm 21.

I pay about £650 for my insurance because:

a) I'm female

b) I live in a &quot;nice&quot; area (and have a private gated drive, less risk of theft etc).

c) I have a good car (ie. not a 1L with no power, not something thats either years old and/or has done tonnes of miles and has been run into the ground).

You're either just going to have to keep looking or save up your money for a little while.


Sorry, but saving up is no choice at all. Even if I was a millionaire I wouldn't pay for insurance for 3700 on a 1.2 engine car.
Reply 7
Avatar for Rich_183
Rich_183
15
Insured last year, since then insurance prices have rose steeply :frown:
Original post by k.andy
Sorry, but saving up is no choice at all. Even if I was a millionaire I wouldn't pay for insurance for 3700 on a 1.2 engine car.


What car are you trying to insure?
i'm a girl, 17, passed my test at the end of last year, got a 1.2 corsa and mine is £1000
try admiral, and add your parents as named drivers.
Reply 10
Avatar for k.andy
k.andy
OP
Original post by KellyWellyWoo537
What type of car are you trying to insurance? The older and smaller engine sizes will be cheaper. If you're trying to insure a special edition of any type, a car with a big engine or a newer car, your insurance will be put up. It will also be higher for your age, your area and the location of your car over night.


I've tried them all from a Ford Ka 1.2 to a Ford Galaxy 1.9 (obviously was very high, around £7300), Vauxhall Corsa 1.2, Nissan Micra 1.0, Ford Fiesta 1.2, Audi A3 1.2, and some others which I can't remember.
Reply 11
Avatar for Cornish19
Cornish19
My insurance when I first passed was 1500 and then in the 2nd it went down by half to 750 but in my 3rd year, they were quoting me 900! I asked them why and they said it was because of all the claims they had this time last year with all the snow and ice and I guess with the weather problems we had in november/december won't help with the price.

That being said, a little shopping around and got it down to 515 with aviva. If it's any use, Im a 21 year old male who drives a 1.4.
Reply 12
Avatar for k.andy
k.andy
OP
Original post by Lil Piranha
What car are you trying to insure?


My first choice would be my dad's car (Ford Galaxy 1.9), but I'm sure its gonna be massive on that one. If I get my own car, it would be ANY car 1.0 - 1.3 I don't mind Ka, Corsa, Micra, Fiesta, A3, Golf, Polo, 207, 106, or any other. Just ANY tbh.
Reply 13
Avatar for Rich_183
Rich_183
15
Original post by Lil Piranha
Actually not so much anymore. It used to be, but now the trend is that insurance is more expensive for an older car because it is more likely to become faulty and need work, and a smaller engine size is considered a lot less safe than a larger one (particularly if you intend to drive on the motorway, which let's face it, most people will at some point). Conversely the insurance will also rocket if you go much over a 1.8L because of inexperience, but as a general rule you'll pay less on insurance for a 1.4L than a 1L if you have two identical cars.


Sorry but where is the evidence for this? I used to drive a 1l yaris with just under 70hp and that was fine cruising along at 70mph maybe the only time when you could do with changing down if your driving up a steep incline.... Big deal.... Not a safety hazard lol and racking the crap out of a small engined car is suprisingly quite fun haha
Reply 14
Avatar for tface
tface
14
Find a cheaper car to insure then, not difficult. Just as a quick example I was getting quotes of well over 4k for a corsa, but 1.5k for a polo. Keep looking :smile:
Original post by k.andy
My first choice would be my dad's car (Ford Galaxy 1.9), but I'm sure its gonna be massive on that one. If I get my own car, it would be ANY car 1.0 - 1.3 I don't mind Ka, Corsa, Micra, Fiesta, A3, Golf, Polo, 207, 106, or any other. Just ANY tbh.


add your parents as named drivers and try admiral.
Original post by k.andy
I've tried them all from a Ford Ka 1.2 to a Ford Galaxy 1.9 (obviously was very high, around £7300), Vauxhall Corsa 1.2, Nissan Micra 1.0, Ford Fiesta 1.2, Audi A3 1.2, and some others which I can't remember.


Ok :smile: some tips:

add your parents as the main driver or named drivers, it WILL go down.

average yearly mileage under 10,000

social, domestic and pleasure only - no commuting

kept in a garage at night/private road
Original post by k.andy
My first choice would be my dad's car (Ford Galaxy 1.9), but I'm sure its gonna be massive on that one. If I get my own car, it would be ANY car 1.0 - 1.3 I don't mind Ka, Corsa, Micra, Fiesta, A3, Golf, Polo, 207, 106, or any other. Just ANY tbh.


Are you adding both your Mum and Dad to the policy as named drivers, that usually drops the insurance by a lot.

Oddly, adding my 17 year old sister whos still a learner reduced the price by £300 as well.
Reply 18
Avatar for k.andy
k.andy
OP
Original post by Bubbles0ox
i'm a girl, 17, passed my test at the end of last year, got a 1.2 corsa and mine is £1000
try admiral, and add your parents as named drivers.


Does that mean me as the first driver or my parents?
Original post by k.andy
Does that mean me as the first driver or my parents?


you as first driver, parents as named.

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