Ever wondered why car insurance is so expensive for young drivers? Getting your first car is an exciting milestone, but many new and young drivers are surprised by how high their car insurance premiums can be. Statistically, younger drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, making them a higher risk for insurers. This added risk is the main reason why car insurance is so costly for young and inexperienced drivers.

In this guide, we’ll break down the factors that drive up costs and share practical tips on how to make car insurance cheaper for young drivers - including affordable cover options.

Factors Affecting Young Driver Car Insurance Price

1. Age Is a Major Rating Factor

Insurers use age as a key rating factor when calculating premiums. Drivers between 17–24 are statistically more likely to have accidents, and claims from under-25s are often more costly. This is why a 17-year-old new driver will typically face higher premiums than a 40-year-old first-time driver.

Even small age differences can impact cost. For example, an 18-year-old and 19-year-old with the same profile could see a noticeable difference in their premiums, with the older sibling likely to pay less.

2. Lack of a No Claims Bonus

Another reason why car insurance is so high for young drivers is the lack of a No Claims Bonus (NCB). This is the biggest discount available on a policy. Each year you drive without making a claim, you build up your bonus, reducing your premium.

For young drivers starting out, this discount isn’t available yet - but once you begin building it, your motor insurance costs can drop significantly. Even one year of claims-free driving can make a difference.

3. Provisional Licence Costs More

Holding a provisional driving licence also can adds to costs. A provisional licence is rated higher than a full licence because insurers see inexperienced drivers as a bigger risk. Some car insurance providers may offer small discounts if you’ve completed driving lessons in Ireland with an approved instructor, but your premium will normally still be higher until you pass your test.

👉 Pro tip: Make sure you notify your insurer as soon as you pass your driving test - you could see an immediate reduction in your premium.

4. The Type of Car You Drive Matters

Your choice of car will have a big impact on your car insurance premium. Sports models, larger engines, or older cars without safety features are typically more expensive to insure. For young drivers, insurers often recommend:

• Cars under 10 years old

• Engines under 1.4L

• Models with good safety ratings

Choosing a smaller, safer, and more economical car can be one of the easiest ways to make car insurance cheaper for a young driver.

5. Failure to Shop Around

Not all car insurers are keen to cover young drivers - and some may deliberately price themselves out of the market. Relying on the same car insurance company as your parents may not always get you the best deal. Instead, shop around and compare other providers.

At its4women, we specialise in offering affordable cover and cheap car insurance for young drivers in Ireland, with policies designed to make driving more affordable and accessible with telematics.

How Can I Get Cheap Car Insurance for Young Drivers?

While young driver car insurance will always be more expensive, there are proven ways that normally cut and reduce the cost:

• Build your No Claims Bonus – drive safely and claims-free each year.

• Increase voluntary excess – agree to pay a higher contribution if you make a claim.

• Choose black box (telematics) insurance – insurers like its4women offer telematics car insurance that rewards safe driving with discounts.

• Limit mileage – lower mileage can reduce your risk rating.

• Add an experienced driver – some insurers may lower costs if a parent is added as a named driver (but avoid “fronting,” which is insurance fraud).

  
  

Black Box (Telematics) Insurance for Young Drivers

One of the best ways to reduce young driver car insurance costs is by choosing a telematics or black box car insurance policy. At its4women, we fit a small device to your car that tracks your driving behaviour - speed, braking, cornering, and more. Safe driving is rewarded with a higher score, which can lower your vehicle insurance renewal premium.

Our telematics car insurance also comes with:

• FREE anti-theft tracking

• Accident alerts

• No curfews

This makes black box insurance one of the most effective solutions for how to get cheap car insurance for young drivers.

👉 Pro tip: Kilometre Options - When purchasing the telematics car insurance policy, you need to consider how many kilometres you will drive per annum. We would recommend that you purchase the required number of “Policy Kms” at inception. However, don’t worry, if you run out of KMS you can purchase “Top Up” Kilometres.

Final Thoughts

So, why is car insurance so expensive for young drivers? The answer lies in age, inexperience, and higher risk profiles. But while costs are naturally higher at the start, there are practical ways to bring them down - from choosing the right car to opting for black box car insurance.

If you’re looking for affordable car insurance for young drivers in Ireland, its4women makes it simple. Get a quick quote online today and see how much you could save.

Affordable Young Driver Car Insurance

Get cheaper car insurance for young drivers with its4women and see how much you could save today.

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