[73henny]

With the turn of the year, came the realisation that in 8 weeks or so our eldest son will be 17. He's still at school but has already saved a few quid and can afford to buy his first car (he's in for a shock trying to run it though!).

However as both my car and the Mrs' 125d are automatic (never mind trying to insure him to drive either of them) it seems he'll need to buy a car to learn in. This'll mean he'll need to insure it too as apposed to being a named driver on one of our cars.

Has anyone been through this recently? Can he insure it with a provisional licence?, and/or do this just before he turns 17? I'm not sure if you need to pass the theory test before you can even drive with L plates either?

[russelldav]

A couple of insurance quotes and the bus will start to look like an attractive option

[Mark1966]

Would one of those brand new deals on the baby Citroen etc that includes free insurance not be the way ahead. I think you can get them for £150 or so a month and as far as I can work out the insurance alone for a youngster can run into £1000s.

[73henny]

Yes, insurance will definitely be interesting to say the least. I believe some insurers now do cover new drivers if they fit a black box in the car. As I understand it, the learning period is reasonable enough but once they pass the test the premium shoots up.

[73henny]

Originally Posted by Mark1966

Would one of those brand new deals on the baby Citroen etc that includes free insurance not be the way ahead. I think you can get them for £150 or so a month and as far as I can work out the insurance alone for a youngster can run into £1000s.

Good spot - just a quick look at that (Peugeot). Unfortunately only available to 18yrs +.

[Kal101]

Did it a couple of years ago for fat kid 1

Cheaper to insure as a learner driver than newly qualified - presume because they can't be left alone

Cheapest cars to insure were skoda up or fiesta - new ones. Older car eg. 10yrs plus are a LOT more to insure. Had a quote of over £6k for an older fiesta compared to £1kish for a newer one which went upto £2kish once he'd passed

In laws has a BRILLIANT idea though why not add him to my BMW - when I told them this would be too expensive they then suggested my classic Opel Manta that I have cherished for 28yrs - as its only an old car !!!!

[73henny]

Originally Posted by Kal001

Did it a couple of years ago for fat kid 1

Cheaper to insure as a learner driver than newly qualified - presume because they can't be left alone

In laws has a BRILLIANT idea though why not add him to my BMW

Thats correct - once they pass the premium can shoot up.

As for the 'brilliant idea'. I think not . We'd always thought that we'd add him onto my wife's policy, but since she changed to her 125d its the first time we've had 2 autos.

Having spent a little time researching this evening (why am I doing this I ask myself) 'Marmalade' and 'Autosaint' look a bit more promising. Marmalade, which is actually Allianz, specialise in learners and new drivers. Its a black box policy that doesn't increase after passing the test. Might give them a call tomorrow, although not sure if we're still too far away from the quote start date.

[Lewis Mc]

Also try "bell" there a part of admiral, you may get lucky and not have the box sent out like i did, they apologiesed and said that i can continue without it ,

Good thing is there 0 restrictions which a fee places do have, also you get a cheap rate say for example £1000, if you drive good you may get 200 back after the 6 month review, but if you drive like a idiot it just stays what you paid, so doesnt increase which is good

Not to mention everything ive rang up about has been handled fast and professionally, they even gsve me tips to reduce my premium,

[SaintMac]

+1 for black box insurance. My son, 17 at the time, paid about £1,000 to insure a 61 plate seat Ibiza last March, 6,000 miles per annum. That is with Tesco.
Also, adding my wife as a named driver, seems to reduce the premium.
This time round looking at quotes for his renewal in March, bell are looking the cheapest.

[73henny]

Originally Posted by SaintMac

+1 for black box insurance. My son, 17 at the time, paid about £1,000 to insure a 61 plate seat Ibiza last March, 6,000 miles per annum. That is with Tesco.
Also, adding my wife as a named driver, seems to reduce the premium.
This time round looking at quotes for his renewal in March, bell are looking the cheapest.

Thanks for the info. Was the Tesco insurance a black box policy?, and what model / engine size was the Ibiza?

[Kal101]

As above.

Go on a few websites and play with different cars where you park - road is cheapest round here.- mileage so excesses and see what happens.

If you're both claim free add yourselves as well.

[SaintMac]

Originally Posted by 73henny

Thanks for the info. Was the Tesco insurance a black box policy?, and what model / engine size was the Ibiza?

Yes, black box. It is the sport tourer 1.2 tsi - sport rider special addition - 110 bhp i believe.

[73henny]

Originally Posted by SaintMac

Yes, black box. It is the sport tourer 1.2 tsi - sport rider special addition - 110 bhp i believe.

Thanks. I'll investigate Tesco further.