No jargon, no sales pitch. Here's how insurance groups, telematics and named drivers actually affect what your son or daughter pays — and how to keep them safe.
Make sure your son or daughter downloads the free What3Words app before taking their first solo trip. In the event of a breakdown or emergency on an unfamiliar road, emergency services and roadside assistance use it to locate them down to a 3-metre square.
Download Free AppEvery car in the UK is rated 1 to 50 by the Association of British Insurers. Group 1 is the cheapest to insure; a group 10 car can easily cost double a group 2 car for the same 18-year-old. Trim matters as much as the badge: a 1.0L hatchback in an S-Line or ST-Line spec can jump several groups over the base version.
A telematics policy fits a small device (or uses an app) to score braking, acceleration, cornering, speed and night-time driving. For a new driver it typically saves 15–25% up front, with further discounts for good scores. Curfews and mileage caps vary by insurer — read those terms before committing, because breaching them can void cover.
Look for a car with a solid Euro NCAP record, working ISOFIX points, stability control and a clean MOT history free of suspension or corrosion advisories. A slightly bigger, slower, well-maintained car is usually safer than a fast, cheap one — and it quotes better too.
Adding an experienced parent as a named driver usually cuts the premium around 15%. The young driver must remain the main driver of the car they actually use most — deliberately listing a parent as main driver is 'fronting', which is insurance fraud and can void the policy and any claim.
Four questions, then a shortlist of car archetypes that fit the monthly number you both agree on.
Start the budget check