Car insurance
Driver Type
- Car insurance for 17-18-year-olds
- Car insurance for 21-year-olds
- New driver insurance
- First car insurance
- Young driver insurance
- Named driver car insurance
- Learner driver insurance
- Learner drivers on your own
- Short term learner insurance
- Student car insurance
- Over 25s car insurance
- Over 50s car insurance
- Over 60s car insurance
- Over 70s car insurance
- Over 80s car insurance
- Car insurance for women
- Car insurance for the self-employed
- Car insurance for foreign drivers uk
- Car insurance provisional licence
Vehicle Type
4.8 out of 5
10% paid £516 or lessCompare 120+ insurersFCA RegulatedWhy Choose Car Insurance Plus for Your First Policy?
- Compare quotes from 120+ insurers in minutes
- Specialist advice for new drivers
- Black box options to slash your premiums
- No hidden fees or nasty surprises
Car Insurance for 18 Year Olds: Affordable Options to Get Started
Getting car insurance at 18 can be expensive, but there are ways to lower costs, such as black box policies, comparing deals, and building a No Claims Discount. Insurers offer comprehensive, third-party, and temporary cover designed to help young drivers get on the road safely and legally - making it easier to find a policy that suits your needs and budget.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost for 18 Year Olds in the UK
Right, let's talk numbers. No beating about the bush - car insurance for 18 year olds is pricey. The average premium for 17-24 year olds sits at around £1,340 per year. Ouch, we know.
But here's where it gets interesting. Your postcode makes a massive difference to how much you'll pay:
| Region | Average Cost for 18 Year Olds | Overall UK Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,805 | £991 | +£814 |
| Manchester | £1,403 | £714 | +£689 |
| Birmingham | £1,495 | £787 | +£708 |
| South West | £1,005 | £502 | +£503 |
| Wales | £1,112 | £542 | +£570 |
8 Proven Ways to Get Cheap Car Insurance at 18
Add an Experienced Named Driver
Including a parent or another qualified driver on your policy can reduce your perceived risk profile. Ensure the named driver genuinely uses the car, as misrepresentation could invalidate your cover.
Choose Your Car Wisely
Opting for a vehicle in a lower insurance group with good safety credentials can significantly reduce your premium. Avoid performance models and unnecessary modifications.
Park Somewhere Safe
Keeping your vehicle in a garage or on a private driveway reduces the likelihood of theft or accidental damage, which insurers reward with lower premiums.
Consider Black Box Insurance
Telematics policies monitor driving behaviour and reward careful, consistent driving with lower renewal prices.
Bump Up Your Excess
Agreeing to a higher voluntary excess usually lowers your premium. Choose a figure you would be comfortable paying if you needed to make a claim.
Get Your Timing Right
Renewing or switching around two to three weeks before your policy starts is often cheaper than leaving it to the last minute.
Pay Annually
Paying for your insurance in one annual payment avoids the finance charges that usually apply to monthly instalments.
Shop Around Every Year
Comparing multiple providers each year ensures you are not paying more than necessary and helps you take advantage of new customer offers.
Car Insurance Savings Calculator
Pick a saving tip and see how your premium could change
Savings premium calculator
- Add an Experienced Named Driver
- Choose Your Car Wisely
- Park Somewhere Safe
- Consider Black Box Insurance
- Bump Up Your Excess
- Get Your Timing Right
- Pay Annually
- Shop Around Every Year
Check insurance eligibility
Your savings estimate
Black Box Insurance: Your Secret Weapon for Cheaper Premiums
How It Works
A small telematics device (or phone app) records your driving and securely sends it to your insurer. Safer habits usually mean cheaper renewals.
What It Tracks
Telematics tracks a vehicle's or equipment's location, speed, fuel consumption, engine diagnostics, and driver behavior, such as harsh braking, cornering, and acceleration.
The Benefits
Black box insurance rewards safe driving with lower premiums, offers fairer pricing based on behaviour, and provides feedback with useful trip records to help you improve.
What Type of Car Insurance Do 18 Year Olds Need?
There are three main types of car insurance, each offering a different level of protection.
Fully comprehensive
Comprehensive car insurance gives you the highest level of protection. It not only covers damage to other vehicles and property but also protects your own car, even if you're at fault or the cause can't be proven.
Third party, fire and theft
A smart middle ground between basic and full cover. Third Party, Fire and Theft includes protection if you damage someone else's car or property, and it also covers your own vehicle if it’s stolen or damaged by fire.
Third party only
This is the most basic level of car insurance and meets the legal minimum to drive on UK roads. It covers damage you cause to other people's vehicles, property, or passengers.
Car Insurance Costs for 18 Year Olds Across the UK
Most Expensive Areas
Premiums for 18 year olds are typically highest in dense urban postcodes with heavy traffic, frequent collisions and elevated vehicle crime. Historic claim costs and higher bodyshop rates also push prices up.
| City | Average Price |
|---|---|
| London (East) | £3,250 |
| Birmingham | £3,100 |
| Manchester | £3,050 |
| Bradford | £2,980 |
| Liverpool | £2,950 |
Best Value Areas
Quieter, more rural postcodes with lower theft rates and fewer claims tend to have lower premiums. Safer overnight parking and lower average repair bills can reduce costs further.
| City | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Exeter | £1,450 |
| Norwich | £1,520 |
| Aberdeen | £1,580 |
| York | £1,600 |
| Inverness | £1,650 |
Best Cars to Insure for 18 Year Olds
Insurance Group 1 Champions
- Citroen C1
- Fiat Panda
- Chevrolet Spark
- Ford Ka Plus
- Hyundai i10
- Kia Picanto (hatchback)
- Kia Rio
- Nissan Micra (hatchback)
- SEAT Mii
- Skoda Citigo
What Makes a Car Cheapest to Insure
- Lower insurance group - Group 1 to 3.
- Small engines with modest power, typically up to 1.0 to 1.2 litres.
- Good safety and security features including immobilisers, alarms and strong crash ratings.
- Affordable parts and easy repairs which help keep claim costs down.
- Telematics-friendly options where black box policies reward careful driving.
Cars to Avoid
- Cadillac Escalade
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Dodge Challenger
- Ford Mustang
- Mitsubishi Lancer
- Dodge Charger
- Nissan Maxima
- Chevrolet Avalanche
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Mitsubishi Eclipse
How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes for 18 Year Olds
What You’ll Need
The Golden Rules
Red Flags to Watch
Other Important Stuff for 18 Year Old Drivers
Moving from Learner to Full Licence
Passed your test? Nice one. Remember to swap your provisional for a full licence, update your policy, and check any curfew or telematics rules if you’re on a black box.
Building Your No Claims Discount
Each year of claim‑free driving helps reduce your premium at renewal. You can also strengthen your position by naming experienced additional drivers carefully, providing accurate mileage, and maintaining a clean record.
Payment Options
You may choose to pay your premium in a single annual payment, which avoids extra charges, or by monthly instalments. Monthly payments can involve a credit check and interest, so review the terms before committing.
FAQ
Ready to Get Your 18 Year Old Car Insurance Quote?
You've done the research, you know what you're looking for - now let's get you covered!
Why get your quote today?
- Prices change daily — lock in today's rates
- Takes just 2 minutes — honestly, we've timed it
- Compare 120+ insurers — one form, loads of options
- No obligation — get quotes and decide later
100% Secure & RegulatedFCA AuthorisedNo spam calls