THE 60-SECOND GUIDE TO... ADDING A CHILD TO YOUR CAR INSURANCE

CHANGE your car to a younger model — if it is more than ten-years-old. “The best quotes for parents who want to add younger drivers to their policies tend to be on cars registered within the last ten years,” says Darren Reilly, assistant supervisor with the AA. “Some underwriters may apply an additional loading to vehicles over ten-yearsold — or even decline to quote.”

Buy a car with a smaller engine, as they are usually cheaper to insure. And avoid cars which are imported — or which have a reputation of being ‘little boy racers’. “There are plenty of cars which are seen as high risk by insurance companies,” says Reilly. “These cars will often be declined for new customer quotes — or the premium will be heavily loaded. Imported vehicles are also commonly declined or loaded for young drivers — and experienced drivers too.”

Don’t modify your car — or allow your child to. Modifications such as alloy wheels or turbocharged engines can rev up premiums.

Add your spouse or partner to the policy as well as this could bring down the overall cost of the insurance. “Many underwriters will offer a reduced rate if a partner or spouse of the main driver is added to the policy as well — and potentially even more of a reduction if that partner or spouse also drives their own car,” says Reilly.

Encourage your child to pass their driving test — it will be cheaper to insure them if they have a full licence.

Encourage your child to get a job — or to take up full-time education. “We often see that young drivers in employment or in education gets a lower premium than a young driver who is in between jobs or just out of education and looking for work,” says Reilly.