New drivers: 30%+ saving on car cover with black box & Pass Plus?
Car insurance for young drivers, and those who have recently passed their driving test, is notorious for being extremely expensive. However a black box insurance policy teamed with a Pass Plus course can save you 30% on the cost of covering your car.
Why is my car insurance so high?
A recent study by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) revealed that the cost of car insurance takes up around 10% of the average young drivers, aged 18-21, salary. Young drivers pay £973 on average for their car insurance, around five times more than other driver’s pay.
The reason behind these high premiums for young drivers is the perceived risk they are based on. As a new driver you do not have the experience behind you compared to someone who has been driving for five years, meaning you are more likely to be involved in an accident. But there are ways to get around your lack of experience to save you money.
What is black box car insurance?
Black box car insurance might once have been regarded as a slightly spooky-sounding fad of the auto cover industry. But today, more and more drivers – especially those who have recently passed their test – are opting for the insurance type.
Why? Because those who sign up can enjoy insurance discounts of up to 20%, with very safe drivers enjoying further reductions.
Black box car cover involves having a device fitted to your car which monitors your driving style, and determines how much of a risk you are. Also known as ‘telematics insurance’, black box cover can also help older drivers to save money on their car insurance.
Are there any downsides to black box cover?
It’s important to be aware that such policies can come with certain restrictions, which vary from driver to driver. For example, under certain policies you may not be allowed to drive at night, or not exceed a certain speed. But so long as you are a careful driver and stick to the restrictions there’s nothing to worry about – except what you’re going to do with that money you’ve saved.
The Pass Plus course
When black box insurance is combined with a Pass Plus course, the insurance savings can rise to up to 30%. Most insurers offer a discount of around 10% to drivers who have successfully completed a Pass Plus course.
Pass Plus is an additional driving course comprised of six modules, each lasting one hour, which includes:
- Town driving
- All-weather driving
- Driving out of town
- Night driving
- Driving on dual carriageways
- Driving on motorways
As well as helping you save money on your car insurance, Pass Plus makes you a safer, more competent driver. Here at 4 Wheelz we offer the Pass Plus course, alongside courses for those who haven’t passed yet – such as our intensive driving courses.
Other ways to save money as a new driver
Becoming a new driver comes with a host of ongoing costs, but cutting your insurance by nearly a third means more money in your pocket.
Other ways to save include choosing an affordable car breakdown provider. You can make significant savings by opting for a company like startrescue.co.uk, while also receiving a high standard of cover.
You might also cut your premium by:
- Shopping around for the best deal
- Adding a second responsible driver, such as a parent
- Not modifying your car – but if you do, tell your insurer
- Choose a higher excess – opting for £1000 excess could mean big savings with some insurers
- Use the most professional sounding job title – e.g. an illustrator will pay less than an artist. Obviously this ‘tweaking’ should be entirely legitimate.
Have you found your car insurance is sky-high? Let us know below if you have tried any of the above ways to bring the cost of your car insurance down.