Before diving into the list of affordable cars, it’s important to understand how insurance premiums are calculated.
For young drivers, insurance companies consider several factors:
- Age and Driving Experience: At 17, you are considered a new driver, and insurance premiums for new drivers tend to be much higher than those for more experienced drivers.
- Car Make and Model: The type of car you drive is one of the most significant factors in determining your insurance cost. Cars with smaller engines, lower market value, and fewer safety features are usually cheaper to insure.
- Car Insurance Group: Every car is assigned an insurance group, which ranges from 1 to 50. Cars in group 1 are the cheapest to insure, while cars in group 50 are the most expensive.
- Location: Where you live in the UK also plays a role. Urban areas with higher traffic and higher rates of accidents may lead to higher premiums.
- Type of Cover: Third-party insurance is cheaper than comprehensive insurance, but it may not cover everything.
How to Choose the Best Car to Insure
When choosing a car as a 17-year-old, it’s important to focus on several key factors that can help reduce your insurance costs:
- Small Engine Size: Opting for a car with a smaller engine (1.0L or less) is one of the most effective ways to lower insurance premiums. Smaller engines are less powerful, making them less risky for insurers.
- Low Insurance Group: Choose a car that falls into insurance groups 1-10. These cars are typically cheaper to insure.
- Fuel Efficiency: Cars that are fuel-efficient tend to cost less to maintain and operate, making them a good choice for young drivers.
- Safety Features: Cars equipped with safety features such as airbags, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and electronic stability control (ESC) often have lower insurance premiums.
- Low Value: Cars with a lower market value will cost less to repair or replace, which reduces the insurance cost.
Top Cars to Insure for 17-Year-Olds in the UK
Now that you understand the factors that influence insurance costs, let’s take a look at some of the best cars to insure for 17-year-olds in the UK.
1. Hyundai i10
Insurance Group: 1
Average Annual Premium: £750 – £800
The Hyundai i10 is a great choice for young drivers looking for an affordable and practical car. This compact car is small, easy to drive, and comes with a range of safety features. The i10 also boasts excellent fuel economy, which helps keep running costs low. Because it falls into insurance group 1, it’s one of the cheapest cars to insure for 17-year-olds.
2. Volkswagen Up!
Insurance Group: 1
Average Annual Premium: £900
The Volkswagen Up! is a stylish city car that is cheap to run and easy to park. It has a small engine and a modest price tag, making it affordable to insure for young drivers. The Up! is also known for its solid build quality and reliability, making it a great option for first-time car owners.
3. Kia Picanto
Insurance Group: 1
Average Annual Premium: £800
The Kia Picanto is another small and economical car that is perfect for young drivers. It offers a comfortable ride and is equipped with modern features like air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity. The Picanto also comes with a long warranty, which makes it a great option for drivers who want peace of mind.
4. Fiat 500
Insurance Group: 2
Average Annual Premium: £1,600
The Fiat 500 is an iconic city car that combines style with practicality. While it’s a bit more expensive to insure than the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto, it’s still relatively affordable for a young driver. The 500 is small, fun to drive, and perfect for city living. It’s also available in a range of fun colors, which appeals to younger drivers.
5. Peugeot 108
Insurance Group: 2
Average Annual Premium: £1,500
The Peugeot 108 is a stylish and compact car that is cheap to run and maintain. It shares its platform with the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1, which means it benefits from reliable engineering and low running costs. The Peugeot 108 is perfect for young drivers who need a small car for city driving.
6. Toyota Aygo
Insurance Group: 1
Average Annual Premium: £1,500
The Toyota Aygo is one of the most affordable cars to insure for 17-year-olds. With its small engine and simple design, the Aygo is a cheap car to run and maintain. It’s also incredibly reliable and has a reputation for being low maintenance, making it an ideal choice for young drivers.
7. Citroen C1
Insurance Group: 1
Average Annual Premium: £1,500
The Citroen C1 is another compact city car that’s cheap to insure. It shares the same platform as the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 108, meaning it benefits from similar advantages, including low insurance premiums, excellent fuel economy, and a compact design that’s easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
8. Renault Clio
Insurance Group: 2
Average Annual Premium: £1,800
The Renault Clio is a popular supermini that offers a comfortable ride and a decent level of equipment. Although it falls into a higher insurance group than some of the cars listed above, it’s still relatively affordable for young drivers, especially if you opt for the smaller engine variants.
9. Ford Fiesta
Insurance Group: 3
Average Annual Premium: £1,800
The Ford Fiesta is one of the best-selling cars in the UK, and for good reason. It’s a fun car to drive, practical, and affordable to insure. The Fiesta is available with a range of engine options, including small 1.0L engines that are perfect for young drivers looking for an affordable car.
10. Suzuki Alto
Insurance Group: 1
Average Annual Premium: £750 – £800
The Suzuki Alto is a small city car that’s cheap to buy, run, and insure. It’s one of the most affordable cars on the market and is perfect for young drivers who want a low-cost, no-frills option. The Alto has a simple design and offers good fuel economy, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget.
Other Considerations to Keep Insurance Costs Low
While choosing the right car is important, there are other steps you can take to reduce your insurance premiums:
1. Opt for a Black Box Policy
Many insurance companies offer “black box” or telematics insurance, where a device is installed in your car to monitor your driving. If you drive safely and avoid risky behaviors, such as speeding or harsh braking, you can earn discounts on your premiums.
2. Add a Named Driver
Adding an experienced driver to your policy can lower your insurance costs. This is because insurers see the additional driver as an indication of lower risk. However, make sure you don’t mislead the insurer by making the named driver the primary driver if they’re not.
3. Increase Your Excess
Another way to lower your premiums is by increasing your voluntary excess. This means that you’ll pay a higher amount out of pocket if you make a claim, but your monthly premiums will be lower.
4. Avoid Modifications
Car modifications can significantly increase your insurance premiums. While modifying your car can be fun, it can also make it more expensive to insure. Stick with a standard model for the most affordable rates.
5. Build a No Claims Discount
A no-claims discount (NCD) is a reward insurers give for staying claim-free for a year or more. As you gain more driving experience and build a no-claims history, your insurance premiums should decrease.
Conclusion
Choosing a cheap car to insure is one of the best ways for 17-year-olds to save on car insurance premiums. Small, fuel-efficient cars in low insurance groups are the best options, as they offer low-risk profiles for insurers. Cars like the Hyundai i10, Volkswagen Up!, and Toyota Aygo are great choices for young drivers looking for affordable insurance.
In addition to picking the right car, there are several strategies you can use to lower your insurance costs, such as opting for a black box policy, adding a named driver, and increasing your voluntary excess.
By carefully selecting your car and following these tips, you can significantly reduce the cost of car insurance, allowing you to enjoy the freedom of driving without breaking the bank.
