What Is Car Insurance and Why Do I Need It?
Car insurance protects you financially if you’re involved in an incident on the road. Depending on the level of cover you choose, it can pay out for damage to other vehicles, injury to other people, and damage to your own car. It’s a legal requirement for every driver in the UK — drive without it and you risk a fixed penalty, points on your licence, and having your vehicle seized.
For Learner Drivers
As a learner driver, you need valid insurance in place every time you get behind the wheel. If you’re taking driving lessons with an instructor, you’ll typically be covered under their policy. But if you want to practise in a friend or family member’s car outside of lessons, you’ll need your own cover in place. You could be added as a named driver on their policy for an additional premium or take out separate learner driver insurance.
Short-term learner driver insurance is the simplest way to sort this. It covers you to drive someone else’s car legally, without affecting the car owner’s existing policy or no-claims bonus.
For New Drivers
Once you’ve passed your test, you need a car insurance policy in place before you drive for the first time. The type of cover you choose determines what you’re protected against, from damage to your own vehicle to injury to other road users. As a new driver with no claims history, premiums can be high, which is why comparing quotes from multiple insurers is the most effective way to find the right level of cover at the right price.
Short-Term Learner Driver Insurance
Short-term learner driver insurance is ideal for anyone who wants to build extra hours behind the wheel outside of their driving lessons. The policy sits separately from the car owner’s insurance, so there’s no risk to their no-claims bonus if something goes wrong.
Practise in a friend or family member’s car without touching their no-claims bonus. Cover starts from just one hour, with policies available up to six months.
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Car Insurance Comparison For New Drivers
Just passed your driving test? The first thing you need to look at before you start driving independently, is car insurance. Navigating insurance policies can be difficult, especially for new drivers.
Thankfully, our new insurance comparison allows you to easily retrieve quotes online, so you can find the right provider for your car and budget!
What Car Insurance Do Learner and New Drivers Need?
The type of car insurance you need depends on where you are in your driving journey.
If you’re still taking driving lessons, you’ll need cover that lets you practise legally in a car that isn’t yours — without putting the car owner’s insurance at risk. Short-term learner driver insurance is designed exactly for that. It works alongside your driving lessons and gives you the freedom to build extra practice hours in a friend or family member’s car.
Once you’ve passed your test, you’ll need a standard car insurance policy before you drive your own car. There are three main types of car insurance you’ll come across:
- Third-Party Only
- Third-Party, Fire & Theft
- Comprehensive
As a new driver with no claims history, comparing quotes is the most effective way to find the right level of cover at a price that works for you. The type of car you drive can also affect your premium — smaller cars in lower insurance groups tend to be cheaper to insure, which is worth considering if you’re still choosing a first car.
FAQs About Car Insurance
Learner driver insurance covers you to practise in someone else’s car on a provisional licence. New driver insurance is a standard policy you take out after passing your test.
Yes, as long as you have valid insurance in place. Your supervising driver’s policy is unlikely to cover a learner, so short-term learner driver insurance is the safest way to make sure you’re covered.
Before you drive for the first time. Cover can start on the same day you pass your test — don’t drive until you have written confirmation your policy is active.
Yes. Without a claims history, insurers price new drivers as higher risk. Premiums typically fall after your first year of claim-free driving.
Not if you have your own short-term learner driver insurance. The policy sits separately from the car owner’s, so their no-claims bonus stays protected.
There are three options: third-party only, third-party, fire & theft, and comprehensive. Comprehensive covers the most and is often more competitive for new drivers than you’d expect.
Bill Plant Driving School is an introducer appointed representative of Vast Visibility Limited, First Floor, Royal Liver Building, Pier Head, Liverpool, L3 1HU, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm reference number 566973. You can check these details on the FCA register.