Savvy New Drivers Plump for Smaller for their First Car to Drive ...

by admin

Confused.com has revealed that the Vauxhall Corsa(1) is the most popular first car for new drivers, in a top 10 entirely dominated by little hatchbacks. The research suggests most new drivers select vehicles of a smaller engine size with 20% choosing a modest 1.2 engine and 75% choosing engines of 1.4 or under.

New drivers tend to buy their first car using their own savings; with 40%(2) of those polled saying this was how they funded their new ride. A worrying 16% admit they took out a personal loan or credit card to afford the vehicle they wanted. A surprising number were sponsored by the Bank of mum & dad with 14% admitting to this method of funding. Ladies had the most generous parents, being 3% more likely to be given a car than men, with spoilt first drivers mainly located in Wales, East Anglia & London.

The choice of vehicle for new drivers suggests awareness that smaller, less powerful cars represent a smaller risk when it comes to car insurance, which is especially pertinent for new drivers who are deemed a much higher, and therefore more expensive, risk when it comes to the premiums they have to pay. A 17 year old girl selecting a first car would do well to note that a 1996 Vauxhall Corsa is more than £10003 cheaper to insure than 2006 VW Golf and almost £200 more could be shaved off by opting for Third Party Fire & Theft cover. Smaller cars are also a lot cheaper to buy, which may also account for some of their popularity.

Will Thomas, head of car insurance quotes says “Corsa may well top the charts due to its status as a popular learner car but parents looking to buy a car for kids flying the nest to go to university this September would do well to remember these tips:

Start with the classic small-engine run-around in order to build driving experience If the car is low-value drivers might wish to consider a TPFT policy, as young driver excesses may make the comprehensive cover a pointless exercise Typically, premiums will dip in price when drivers hit 25 but whilst they’re waiting, building no claims bonus can lead to valuable discounts

Source: Savvy New Drivers Plump for Smaller for their First Car to Drive ...

Drug-driving no more acceptable than drink-driving

16.09.09

Confused.com is reminding drivers of the dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs.

The price comparison website believes that while drink-driving is widely acknowledged as unacceptable, driving when having taken drugs is not seen in the same light.

However, suspected offenders can be subjected to roadside tests in the same way as drink-drivers and both offences attract similar penalties, leading to increased car insurance premiums, or cover being refused.

The website’s head of motor, Will Thomas, says: “Without taking into account the devastating toll paid in terms of injury, death, a driving ban or prison time, a drug-driving offence on a licence will hit peoples’ pockets by pushing up their premiums.”

He adds: “Some insurance providers can more than double your premium following drug-driving related convictions, others won’t quote at all.”

Research for the 2009 RAC Report on Motoring suggests that 10% of young motorist have driven while under the influence of drugs.

Source: Insurance Daily