A guide to car insurance for new drivers

Passing your driving test and bidding goodbye to the bus is a feeling to savour. Most drivers can`t wait to hit the open road, but the cost of compulsory car insurance can stand in the way.

Due to the amount of accidents that new drivers are involved in, it can be pretty expensive to get insurance. Statistics from the British Association of Insurers shows that the UK`s 18 year olds cause 50 collisions a day -three times more than drivers in their fifties!

But, fear not: there are plenty of ways you can reduce the amount of money you`re spending on insurance, even though navigating the jargon can be tricky.

There are three different types of car insurance `policies` usually with increasing levels of expense.

These are....

- Third Party insurance, the basic level of cover. Having this means that your insurer will contribute to costs of injury to others and damage to their property. However, this means that any damage to your own motor isn`t covered at all, so getting back on the road after an accident could be expensive. There`s also no protection if your car is damaged by fire or theft. Which leads us to...

- Third Party, Fire and Theft. This means that your vehicle is insured from damage from light-fingered thieves, as well as fire damage. You also get what you would from a third party policy. Both this and third party insurance are good options for cars which are older and less valuable.

- Comprehensive: With this, you are covered for everything that you`d get from third party, fire and theft as well as repairs for your own vehicle in the event of a mishap, subject to the insurers own exclusions. It might also include optional extras (like a courtesy car or legal cover) which will drive up the cost.

If you`re a new driver, chances are that your excess (what you`re liable to pay towards any claim) will be quite high. But if you stay safe and keep yourself out of accidents - making yourself eligible for `no-claims` discounts (that is, that you haven`t had to call upon your insurance) you will soon see your `premium` (what you pay for your insurance) drop. You can also choose to have a higher excess to keep the cost of your policy down. Driving convictions also count against you, so stay on the right side of the law.

Other steps, like getting a Pass Plus certificate can also help to drop the cost of insuring your car. Driving a car with a small engine will also keep the cost of insurance (not to mention road tax) low. Opting out of pricey modifications - which can range from sound systems and alloy wheels to racing-style bodykits and paintwork - also make you a more appealing driver to insurers. Security measures, like keeping your car in a garage or upgrading your alarm system will make you easier for companies to give you a better deal. And, if you`re willing to accept a little less flexibility as to when you can drive, you can set a self-imposed curfew and save money, though obviously this isn`t for everyone.

It also pays to use a price comparison website like Gocompare.com, which allows you to browse lots of insurers quickly and easily, helping you to get a better deal.

So if you`re in a position to upgrade from the learner drivers car insurance policy you have had, take this advice on board and you may well find yourself paying less than you`d expect!