Drivers under 25 could 'save £100s' on insurance with five changes

Drivers under 25 could 'save £100s' on insurance with five changes Young people do not have to take the first eye-watering 'deal' they see Young drivers are often hammered by sky‑high insurance quotes for several years after they pass their test because insurers typically see under‑25s as the biggest accident risk. But Martin Lewis' team at MoneySavingExpert (MSE) says there are a few tweaks that can shave serious money off a policy. The finance specialists warn you should never assume a renewal letter is the best deal you’ll get. The biggest savings often come from changing when and how you buy cover, not from driving less. MSE claims that shopping around, adjusting key details (without lying), and making small policy changes can cut the cost by hundreds. In some cases, the difference can be dramatic. One of the most common tips is adding a "responsible second or third named driver", such as an older family member who only uses the car occasionally. MSE says it tested this and saw a huge drop for an 18‑year‑old when a 40‑year‑old was added, though results vary by insurer and 'responsible' is the key word - meaning their driving risk must counteract yours (i.e. no convictions or past accident claims). Timing can also matter when it comes to renewal. MSE says its checks found the sweet spot is roughly three to four weeks (a month) before the policy ends. Findings settled on the cheapest time being around 25 days ahead of the renewal. In those checks, the team suggests the same cover bought on renewal day averaged far more than buying it earlier, with a gap that could run into the hundreds. The message is simple: don’t leave it to the last minute if you want the best chance of a lower quote. Buying or renewing your insurance early makes it cheaper primarily because insurers view organised, forward-planning drivers as statistically lower-risk. Another easy‑to‑miss thing that most never think twice about when filling out their application is their job title, as insurers price 'similar' roles differently. MoneySavingExpert’s advice is to try alternative but accurate descriptions of what you do, because it claims some titles can come out much cheaper than others - test their free online tool here. This comes with a clear warning that drivers should not make anything up. MSE says lying on an insurance application risks invalidating the policy, because companies often treat it as fraud if the details aren’t true. The team also takes aim at auto‑renewal, saying it’s rarely the cheapest way to stay covered. Instead, it recommends getting quotes elsewhere first, then going back to your current insurer to see if it will match or beat the best price you found. Finally, there’s a surprisingly admin job that could help. MSE says that being on the electoral roll makes a difference, as insurers use it to verify identity and reduce fraud risk. Missing or incorrect details can lead to higher quotes or even fewer offers on the table.