Provisional Marmalade provide cover for provisional drivers at around £3 per day - which can be really competitive - but once the learner has qualified they will need to take up a new policy. Oddly on passing their test if the newly qualified driver already has a car a policy from Young Marmalade, their sister company, is no use - they only offer cover to new drivers who also purchase a car through them. So good for provisional licence holders and worth looking at if you are a new driver buying a car but less good otherwise.

Newly Qualified Drivers

iKube specialise in providing car insurance for young drivers who do not need to drive at night - basically they install a box in your car which tracks usage. Only useful if the car is never to be used at night as if it's ever used (even by other family members) between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. a penalty fee of £100 is levied, and they do charge for the installation of the tracking device, but for those who are facing high or unaffordable premiums this might be a good option. An additional plus point is that unlike most companies iKube is one of the few insurers who do not increase premiums when provisional drivers pass their test. They can also be called on 0844 346 0402.

The Co-operative Young Drivers policies offer the following benefits making them ideally suited to those under 25.

Coverbox are now quoted on the moneymaxim car insurance comparison service - they offer a tracker device free - but then track usage of the car and charge on that basis - rates vary dependent on the time of day or night the vehicle is used - but those using their car during the day for a few miles can find it competitive for young drivers. Be aware that they only offer comprehensive policies, and do not cover drivers who have a secondary occupation - which can be problematical for students with a part time job.

Multi Car Policies

If you have more than one car in the family its well worth getting a quote from Admiral Multicar - no only are they competitive when it comes to young drivers, but they offer 'multicar' discounts, which rise from 10% to 23% dependent on the number of vehicles you insure - given the size of younger driver premiums this can make a huge difference. Their online quotation system even takes into account different renewal dates on different cars so you can see the saving you can make over the coming months.

The main downside is that after the first year all the car insurance premiums fall at the same time - which can be a bitter pill to swallow, and Admirals monthly payment option comes at a price. We have seen some customers though use an interest free purchase card or a 'interest free balance transfer facility' allowing a premium to be paid on an existing card and then switched to the new interest free card to spread the premium at little or no extra cost, rather than the sometimes high interest rates charged by insurers - we have a fuller article on cutting the costs of paying for monthly car insurance premiums.

Tips on minimising the cost of young driver cover

Named drivers

Whilst 'fronting' (naming one driver, say Mum or Dad as the named driver, but the car actually being used mainly by the newly qualified driver) may result in a cheaper quote it is in fact illegal and can nullify your insurance policy - the 'main driver' should be the 'main driver' and the insurer may look for proof (so keep a driving record book if you think this might be asked for).

However adding a second more experienced driver with a clean driving record, who might use the vehicle occasionally, is perfectly legal and often reduces quotes considerably.

Wait a month or two

Quotations for a driver who passed their test a week ago are considerably higher than those who passed a year or even three months ago. Run a test through our quote comparision and see the difference!

If you can delay buying your insurance a little while you will probably make big savings.

Get a car in the right insurance group

Getting a sporty little number from the word go might be attractive but the insurance group on a car makes a huge difference - if you are buying a car make sure its in the lowest insurance group - Check out insurance groups on the Association Of British Insurers Website.

This rule might also apply if you are inheriting a car from a relative - it might be cheaper to sell that car and start again rather than taking on a car from a high insurance group

Finally if you would like further assistance just give us a call on 0800 520 0699 or 01183 218197 (option 3) and we will be delighted to help you.

If you do come up with another insurer you think we should be shouting about - please let us know using the 'Contact Us' button at the foot of the page.

This information is based on journalistic investigation and research. It is not financial advice. Any information should be considered in regard to specific circumstances. Any suggestions followed up are done so at your own risk and your own research is key.

Image: Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net