insurance for learners

[taichiperson]

We drive a Citroen Xsara Picasso (diesel) and our eldest son is learning to drive. We've just found out that it will cost us an extra �100 per month to include him on our insurance!! Has anyone any advice on how to lower this, or alternatively, what kind of car would be cheap for a learner to drive? Yes, I've tried quotes on the net, but need specific details as to type of car.

[Ethel]

Quite simply, the lower the cc, the lower the insurance.

Group 1 cars are the cheapest to insure:

http://www.car-insurance-city.co.uk/car_insura nce_classes.shtml

[CJ96321]

This won't help in the short term but when he's passed his test, look into a scheme called Pass Plus run by most driving schools. I took this 6 hour course which covers Motorways, city traffic, adverse weather etc and my insurance company at the time (Norwich Union) offered me 52% off just by doing this course. Very easy (no test) and only cost about �115, At the time as an 18 year old on my own policy , Pass Plus reduced my quote from �1000 to just under �500. Certainly worth looking into...hope this helps! CJ

[stormin]

I do not know whether it still applies but when my son bought his first car it was insured in my name but with him as the named driver who drove it for the majority of the time. This seemed to give a lower insurance quote than if he had taken the insurance in his own name. Of course he had an accident but because we had told the truth there was no problem. It did not affect my own no claims bonus.
PS The extra premium you are quoted seems pretty reasonable. Let's be honest the car has no street cred and therefore no undue loading re premiums.

[umm]

best way to do it is to insure him as a named driver on your policy...try C.I.S insurance or FIRST ALTERNATIVE.. i found they were not as greedy as most other companies...it would mean starting a new policy for yourself but could still be cheaper..