Passing your driving test is a rite of passage for many teenagers. But for parents, it can be a headache. You may be wondering whether you should buy them a new or used car. And what about car insurance? How does that work for teens?
We answer all these questions and more with our guide to getting your teen on the road.
Putting the wheels in motion
This is the moment your teenager has been waiting for — when they get to drive their very first car. But there are lots of things to consider before they get on the road.
First is the question of buying a new or used car. While a used car will be the cheaper option, it will need more frequent repairs and have a shorter life than a new car. If you’re going for this option, have your potential purchase checked out by a mechanic first.
If you want to get a new car for your teenager, then you could take advantage of the many PCP (personal contract purchase) deals out there. You pay a deposit on a new car and make monthly repayments until the end of the term. Then you can make a final payment to buy the car outright, use the equity to start another deal with a new car or hand the car back.
Break it down
Buy breakdown cover as well for peace of mind. You can buy cover on its own or as part of your teenager’s own car insurance policy. With a personal policy, your teen will be covered in any vehicle, or you can go for vehicle cover that will apply to a specific vehicle.
It’s also possible to get multi-vehicle cover in a single policy that will service both your and your teen’s car.
Safety first
When you’re looking for a first car for a teenager, one of your top priorities will be safety. The safest car for a teenager will include some or all of the following features:
- Airbags that automatically inflate when there’s an impact to help prevent injuries
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS), which will stop the wheels from locking when the brakes are heavily applied and causing skidding
- Cameras and parking sensors, which are invaluable tools when it comes to parking and reversing safely
And now on to insurance…
Now let’s take a look at the options for teenager car insurance in the UK:
- Third-party car insurance only covers the cost of damage to a third party (another person), their property or their vehicle.
- Third-party fire and theft covers the same as above but with theft and damage by fire added on.
- Fully comprehensive offers cover for all the scenarios described above as well as the cost of damage to your own car.
Whichever policy you choose, it figures that car insurance for teenagers is relatively expensive, as inexperienced drivers are considered high risk.
For the cheapest teenager car insurance, you can use telematics. This is when insurance companies monitor policyholders’ driving using a device installed in the car to track driving speed and other factors like how a driver uses their brakes. Then premiums are adjusted accordingly.
You could also consider adding yourself as a named driver on your teenager’s own car insurance. Having an older and more experienced driver sends out a reassuring message to insurance companies and brings down premiums.
What next?
Now that you’ve thought through the options for your teenager’s new chapter as a driver, you’ll be wanting some help with the details.
Use our car insurance comparison service to help you get the best deal for your teenager’s car insurance. In just a few clicks, you can find the best deal for you, or you can find friendly advice in a call or email to help you navigate the choices.
Have a search today and get your teenager one step closer to the freedom of the open road!
