Key mistakes making insurance more expensive for young drivers

After several years of steep premiums, young motorists continue to pay more for insurance than any other age group. Now, industry experts are outlining practical steps drivers can take in 2026 to help bring those costs down.

Car insurance experts from Quotezone.co.uk are sharing their insurance price insights and are urging young motorists to follow steps to avoid additional costs in 2026.

Young drivers suffer from disproportionate premium spikes, the most recent data shows those aged 17-24 are paying £1,098 per year on average for their premiums,* making getting on the road practically impossible for many.**

January 2025 was the most expensive month of the year for young motorists,*** with average insurance premiums reaching an eye-watering high of £1,865.

It’s important for drivers to realise their choices could be making their individual premiums higher than they need to be.

There are simple ways to save, including reviewing policy details to ensure everything is accurate and cutting out any unnecessary add-ons.

Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone said: “Many young drivers aren’t aware their habits and choices could be pushing premiums even higher. Simple mistakes could cause insurance costs to skyrocket in 2026.

“Young drivers are often hit the hardest by the cost of driving, having to fork out for lessons, tests, the car itself and of course the expensive insurance costs – pricing many of our young drivers off the roads. 

“The nation’s young drivers are paying on average £631 more than 45-64 year olds, mainly due to their increased risk of accidents and lack of experience. 

“Our tips should help young drivers give their finances a fresh start for the new year by finding some all-important savings.”

Quotezone.co.uk’s top hacks to help young drivers save:

1.Choose your first car wisely

If you are in the market for your first car, consider buying one with a smaller engine size and horsepower, as both can impact the cost of your premium.

2.Steer clear of penalty points

When you first get on the roads, it’s important to remember the different ways in which you could pick up penalty points. Receiving points often comes with a hefty fine, but can also cause premiums to rise significantly, three penalty points can add 5% and six points could add up to 25% on average to your car insurance.****

3.Avoid modifying your car

Though you may be tempted, it’s important to avoid modifying your car. This is because many modifications, including custom paint, spoilers, non-standard alloys and lowering kits could make your car more attractive to thieves. Many modifications which improve a vehicle’s power or speed can also increase the likelihood of accidents, and increase the value of the car, hence the higher insurance premiums.

4.Be realistic when filling out your mileage

Motorists covering 10,000 to 14,999 miles annually pay around 12% more than those driving fewer than 1,000 miles a year. This highlights how important it is to be mindful of your mileage when filling out your insurance form. The more time a driver spends on the road, the greater their chances of being involved in an accident. Increased mileage also results in more wear and tear on the vehicle, which can also lead to mechanical issues.

5.Research telematics

Young drivers may be able to reduce insurance costs by opting for a black box or telematics product, which collects data on your driving to help your insurer understand your risk levels. If you drive safely and are deemed low risk, you could be rewarded with lower costs.

Quotezone helps young drivers find savings on their car insurance and covers all sorts of essentials such as breakdown cover, van and bike insurance.

References:
*https://www.quotezone.co.uk/car-insurance/average-car-insurance-premium-by-region#region-age
**https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/2-6-million-people-dont-drive-as-they-cant-afford-car-insurance-cost/
***https://www.quotezone.co.uk/car-insurance/average-car-insurance-premium-by-region#region-age
****https://www.quotezone.co.uk/car-insurance/guides/how-much-three-penalty-points-cost-insurance