Expensive insurance for young motorists raises safety concerns

Date: 20/10/2011

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has expressed concern that the rising cost of insurance for young drivers may have a detrimental effect on road safety.

Rising premiums for young motorists could tempt people to drive without insurance, which has been identified as the top reason causing people to reach 12 penalty points on their licence.

A spokeswoman for the road safety charity said: "The average cost of a claim by young drivers is £4,500, but insurance can cost nearly twice that. On a price comparison site for a 17-year-old male, our cheapest quote came in at just over £7,000."

As well as encouraging motorists to drive uninsured, these high premiums may also mean that young people are less likely to be able to afford newer and safer vehicles.

Young male drivers in particular are struggling under insurance price hikes, with premiums typically costing almost four times those of the average driver.