Car Insurance for Learner Drivers
If insuring a learner driver on the family car is on your to-do list - whether for learning to drive with a family member or friend, or for practising between lessons with a Driving Instructor, keep reading!
Learner drivers really benefit from having as much supervised practice as possible before taking the driving test. Ideally a mixture of structured lessons to practice and develop different driving skills, plus everyday journeys at different times of day - perhaps driving to pick up a takeaway, or to fill up with petrol and pump up the tyres.
The traditional way of adding the learner to the current car insurance policy as a 'named driver' isn't the only option these days - the specialist car insurance companies below might not be so well known, but you might find they offer a much better alternative!
See below for a brief summary of the differences between the traditional and specialist car insurance options - plus offers including: £50 off, or a £20 avaCARgo voucher, when you take out an annual policy using one of our unique codes!
Traditional Car Insurance Policies: Adding the Learner Driver
Adding the learner driver to the current car insurance policy as a 'named driver' is the traditional way to insure a learner driver on a family car - but it can be a less flexible and more expensive option.
Not all insurers will accept a learner driver being added to a current car insurance policy - if they do the cover will continue until the policy ends. A fee will usually be charged to update the details on the policy, in addition to any extra amount to cover the learner driving the car.
If the learner has an accident while driving the car this may affect the No Claims Bonus (NCB) of the person who took out the insurance - even if the NCB is protected, and the learner can't start to build their own NCB.
If all this doesn't sound ideal - the next option further down the page might work better for you!
Traditional Car Insurance Policies: Adding the Learner Driver
Pros:
- all the drivers are covered on one car insurance policy.
Cons:
- not all insurers will accept adding a learner as a 'named driver'
- there is no flexibility re: the period of cover
- there will probably be an additional charge, and it can be a more expensive option
- the learner driver may affect the ongoing No Claims Bonus (NCB) entitlement
- the learner driver can't start to build their own NCB entitlement.
Specialist Car Insurance Policies: in the Name of the Learner Driver
Taking out a separate insurance policy in the name of a learner driver is the more modern way to cover the learner driver, and these can be much more flexible and better value for money.
These specialist policies provide additional full car insurance cover for the learner while they are driving, and they run alongside - but separate from - the main policy, and various have other benefits too.
Flexible Length of Cover
These specialist car insurance policies can be either
- a short term / temporary policy - running for months, weeks, days or even hours - which could be useful if they are only driving occasionally, or
- an annual policy.
Start to Build No Claims Bonus (NCB)
Some of the specialist annual policies also give the learner driver the opportunity to start to build their own No Claims Bonus (NCB) if they stay accident free - meaning a discount off insurance quotes in future years.
Peace of Mind for the Main Policy Holder
Having this type of separate specialist insurance in place can help to reduce any concerns family members or friends have about their own No Claims Bonus (NCB). If an accident should happen while their car is being driven by the learner driver - the claim would be made against the policy in the name of the learner driver.
Two Big Differences to Look Out For
Car insurance for learner drivers can be cheaper than for new drivers. Learner drivers have to be supervised while driving, and so it makes sense for them to be seen as less of a risk to insure. As soon as the learner passes their driving test they can drive unsupervised, and the higher Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) statistics for young drivers age 17-24, explain why they can be seen as a higher risk to insure.
- Some specialist learner driver car insurance policies will finish when the learner passes their driving test - which could be the best option if the learner will be getting their own car straight away.
- Some will continue to provide cover until the end of the policy, perhaps with an admin fee to pay to update the details - which could be the better option if the learner will be continuing to drive the family car for a while.
It's potentially possible to take out an annual car insurance policy as a learner driver not long before taking a driving test, pass the test, and then drive for nearly a year before needing to take out a new policy as a 'full licence holder'* - at which point, if there haven't been any insurance claims, there could also be No Claims Bonus (NCB) to use for new quotes.
*always check you understand the small print and restrictions of any policy before accepting any quote
Specialist Car Insurance Policies: in the Name of the Learner Driver
Pros:
- there is lots of flexibility re: the length of the policy
- it may be a less expensive option
- if there is an accident while the learner is driving the No Claims Bonus (NCB) of the main policy holder should not be affected
- with an annual policy the learner can start to build their own NCB for use with future quotes.
Cons:
- not all insurance companies offer specialist policies for learner drivers - see below for some that do.
Specialist Companies for: Additional Car Insurance for Learner Drivers
- BEFORE and DURING the driving test ONLY
Adrian Flux - learner driver ONLY insurance policy
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- learner driver insurance: cover BEFORE and DURING the driving test ONLY
- short term policy: lasting a few days, weeks or months OR
- annual policy: start to build own No Claims Bonus (NCB)
-
£20 avaCARgo voucher^ (annual policy only): use code i1012 on the online quote form or at the start of your call: 0800 369 8590
- Trustpilot review
^£20 avaCARgo voucher: contact avaCARgo to claim your voucher - issued once we have received confirmation from Adrian Flux!
Collingwood - learner driver ONLY insurance policy
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- learner driver insurance: cover BEFORE and DURING the driving test ONLY
- short term policy: lasting a few days, weeks or months OR
- annual policy: lasting a full year
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RoadHow app access: DVSA approved tests, quizzes and hazard perception clips
- £20 high street voucher (annual policy) or a discount (short term policy): use code 834168 on the online quote form, or at the start of your call: 0345 470 0014
- Trustpilot review
- BEFORE and DURING the driving test PLUS
Go Shorty - learner driver PLUS insurance policy
- learner driver insurance: cover BEFORE and DURING the driving test PLUS
- short term policy: lasting a few hours, days, weeks or months
- PLUS: 3 hours after passing the driving test to drive home and arrange a new policy
- Trustpilot review
- BEFORE, DURING and AFTER the driving test
Non currently found / available
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- still looking and hopeful
- policies are available for learner drivers insuring a car they own themselves - see the link below!
Summary
When it comes to insuring a learner to drive the car of a family member or friend, there are 2 very different options - the traditional way and the specialist way. Plus there is a big difference between specialist car insurance policies that end when the learner passes the driving test - and those that don't.
Understanding the differences is essential when getting quotes, and comparing what traditional and specialist car insurance companies offer - and to ensure the learner gets the cover they need, and at the best price!
Note: policies will vary from company to company, and some may have requirements that don't work for you, e.g. some insurers may specify a minimum age for the supervising driver or a maximum age for the learner - make sure you compare the relevant details, and are clear it provides the cover needed before deciding which quote to accept.
Other Questions About Car Insurance for Learner Drivers?
Perhaps one of our other articles covers what you are looking for - if not, send us a message and we'll get back to you with an answer!
Learner Driver Car Insurance - an introduction
Learner Driver Car Insurance - car owned by the learner
Please note
- the brief summaries of the car insurance cover details above are taken from the business websites, and may have been updated since we last checked - follow the links for the most up-to-date details, and make sure any policy meets your exact needs before purchasing
- following links may / may not generate an 'introduction fee' to be credited to avaCARgo - this will not affect any insurance quotes you receive.