Cost of insurance 'rising for new drivers'

Date: 23/6/2011

After passing their driving test, some new motorists in the UK are witnessing a rise in the cost of purchasing cover for the vehicle they want.

Research by Confused.com has revealed that in the last year, the amount needed to buy an insurance policy for some vehicles has doubled.

It notes that in 2010, the cheapest premium for a new driver wanting to get a Ford Ka hatchback on the road was less than £900, but in 2011 this has risen to more than £1,900.

Meanwhile, the Fiat 500 Pop - listed as the most popular choice of motor among these licence holders - costs £1,786.60 to insure through the best quote.

In June 2010, the Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio were the top three favourite cars among newly-qualified drivers, while this year these have been overtaken by the Fiat 500, Ford Ka2 and Ford Ka3.

However, it is not only this demographic that is finding the cost of keeping a motor is rising.

A poll by Green Flag recently discovered that 42 per cent of people are now walking more and 14 per cent have stopped using a vehicle altogether due to the increasing price of petrol.