How... Young drivers can save money on their car insurance

There may be some ways that young drivers can cut their costs. Here are some suggestions from a recent research, carried out:

1. Adding someone with a good driving record to your policy as a named driver may potentially save

you money. But tell your insurer the truth when taking out cover. Bear in mind that fronting - where someone claims they are the main driver on a policy to save money when they are not - is illegal and makes policies void.

2. Shopping around could potentially save you lots of money. Some insurers will be more competitive than others for different drivers, ve- hicles and regions depending on the customers they're hoping to attract.

3. Avoid big engines and hot hatches. Cars with smaller engines generally fall into the lower insurance groups and that means lower premiums for young drivers. Building up a good driving record and no claims discount in a smaller car early on means paying less if you do want to move on to bigger cars later.

4. Consider a 'black box' telematics policy. A telematics policy involves having a tracking device fitted to your car which sends information back to the insurer about how the car is being driven. Telematics policies can help young drivers accumulate discounts more quickly as they can show they are safe drivers from day one.

5. Consider a higher excess. Opting for a higher voluntary excess could help lower your insurance premiums but you will need to decide if paying a slightly lower premium is worth the risk of having to contribute more towards the cost of a claim if you have to make one. 6. Buy in good time.

When you buy your policy can affect how much you pay. Some insurers may view people who purchase insurance at the last minute as slightly more risky and therefore more likely to take a chance behind the wheel.