New drivers buying their first car at younger age

buying-car

A study conducted by the AA Car Insurance company found that new drivers are buying their first car at a younger age than ever before, despite the rising cost of insurance for these motorists.

More teenagers than ever are purchasing their own vehicle as soon as they pass their test with one in three women owning their own car by the age of 20, whereas the figure is higher for men as half will own a vehicle by this age.

However with the first year accident rates still standing incredibly high, one in five of these drivers likely to be involved in a serious accident within their first year on the road, these motorists experience the very highest insurance rates as they are considered to be a high risk group.

Young male drivers are statistically more at risk than young female drivers, which is why they experience higher insurance prices. It has been estimated that a male motorist who has recently passed his test is twice as likely to be seriously injured, or even killed, as a result of a road traffic accident when compared to a female driver of the same age.

Although there is some light at the end of the tunnel for young drivers experiencing high insurance costs. No claims-bonuses can be built up quickly, as long as the policymaker doesn’t make a claim or convicted of a driving offence, meaning their insurance premiums will fall dramatically over the coming years helping them to save money on the cost of motoring.

Men more likely to drive without motor insurance

car-insurance

 

A survey commissioned by a popular price comparison website has shown that men are more likely than women to get behind the wheel without valid motoring insurance. Out of all of the motorists who were questioned as part of the study, 23% of the male drivers said they had driven without insurance in the past, compared with just 16% of women. 

The same research also threw up a more worrying piece of information as it found that more people are choosing to drive without any kind of insurance. The figures revealed that 33% more motorists than last year are opting out of covering themselves and their vehicle with insurance. 

In October of last year it was reported that the cost of motoring insurance had reached an all-time high, and now with the added pressure of the credit crunch cutting people’s spending, it appears fewer individuals can afford to cover the cost of insuring a vehicle. 

The authorities have warned that driving without valid insurance is a very serious offence and those who are caught will be faced with a £200-on-the-spot-fine, and will have 6 points added to their license. It’s an offence to drive a vehicle without insurance regardless of the distance travelled and the police have warned that they are clamping down on those who drive without valid insurance. 

Personal injury claims are one of the biggest worries for insurance companies these days and with more people choosing to claim on these grounds following an accident, this is having a knock-on effect on the price of insurance for motorists.