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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Well it's time to put 17 year old DS on my car insurance

29 replies

Sparklingbrook · 21/08/2016 10:22

He's had 6 lessons and the instructor has agreed it would be a good idea. Get some practice in. (Gulp)

So. I have been told about Marmalade for insurance. Anyone got any suggestions of others or who to avoid etc?

TIA

OP posts:

tired17 · 21/08/2016 10:50

We used marmalade until my policy came up for renewal then took a new policy out that covered us all. Didn't have to claim fortunately but did cancel before the time I'd paid for had expired (only due to taking new policy, no problems) and the refund came through fine.

Original poster

Sparklingbrook · 21/08/2016 11:02

Thanks tired, I will look into that. My policy is up in October.

I need to get some L plates then pluck up the courage to get out there.

OP posts:

Squirr3ls · 21/08/2016 13:15

It starts to make all those little toddler worries pale into insignificance when they get behind the wheel.
I put my two on my policy with Direct Line, it was the best quote though still an arm and a leg

Original poster

Sparklingbrook · 21/08/2016 13:33

It's a whole new world of worry isnt it? And very expensive.

OP posts:

ssd · 21/08/2016 13:37

hi sb, same here, ds recently passed his test and he paid himself to go on our insurance for 3 months to see how it goes....of course he loves having the car and so when its up for renewal we'll need to see what the price is eek

he's been driving around and like you say, it makes the worries of night feeds and starting school pale into significance

17/18 has been an utter shock to me, driving, girlfriend, holidays with pals and not us, uni, nightclubs, drinking

I'm going for a lie down just thinking about it all......

ssd · 21/08/2016 13:38

I haven't heard of marmalade, ds is driving the family car, we only have one car, do marmalade cover all the family or is it just best for teens insurance

TheFairyCaravan · 21/08/2016 13:59

We used Marmalade for DS2 and Collingwood, I think it was, for DS1 when they were learner drivers.

We preferred to do it like that because it's a seperate policy and if they did have an accident it doesn't affect your no claims like it would if they were named drivers. We, also, liked the fact it was a short term policy so we could do it for a few months and they both passed their tests before it expired.

TheFairyCaravan · 21/08/2016 14:00

ssd Marmalade is learner driver insurance.

LadyPenelope68 · 21/08/2016 14:01

We used Ingenie, they have been really good.

TheFairyCaravan · 21/08/2016 14:05

DS2 had his car insured with Ingenie once he passed his test.

Original poster

Sparklingbrook · 21/08/2016 14:05

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely do further research, it does seem very daunting then there's the actual getting in the car with him bit.

OP posts:

TheFairyCaravan · 21/08/2016 14:07

I used to get told off for clinging on to the door handle so I left it to DH!

worriedmother1929 · 21/08/2016 14:12

Marmalade was absolutely awful to us, we use Admiral for DD and it's pretty well priced, and when she passes will try to negotiate her onto our Saga policy, or use Admiral for us both

Squirr3ls · 21/08/2016 14:17

There is a difference depending on whether they have their own car or are a named driver on yours. Own car - lots of options with telematic box. Named driver - not so easy as you have to be careful not to "front" for insurance purposes. Some insurers won't do it at all, others question very carefully to ensure that you are still the main driver.

I could not believe how many of their friends got a car of their own upon passing test. Maybe it's because we are rural and parents want to opt out of taxiing?
Anyway I didn't get DS1 a car. Not least because he was likely to be off to uni where he wouldn't be able to take it. I let him borrow mine once or twice a week but was careful that I was still the main driver.
We eventually got him a car this year and at 20, with 3 years driving experience, Endsleigh were the cheapest by far. They specialise in students.

GeorgeTheThird · 21/08/2016 14:19

I am currently doing this with DS1. I have added the new small car to my existing policy to cover me, then used Marmalade for him. Tesco is looking cheapest for him once he has passed his test.

He has had ten lessons I think. My top tip would be to go back a few stages when they are driving with you. Start with left turns on quiet side roads and build up from there

DS1 struggled a bit in our car at first just because it was different from his instructors'.

Eastpoint · 21/08/2016 14:46

DD passed her test in January but was too busy with A levels to do PassPlus until now, that should bring her insurance costs down & improve her driving.

NotAnotherBath · 21/08/2016 15:10

Can someone give me an idea of cost to put a 17 year old on your insurance please?

Break it to me gently. I darent look myself

Squirr3ls · 21/08/2016 15:31

On Direct Line it was around £850 extra with huge excesses.

Squirr3ls · 21/08/2016 15:36

None of the insurers seemed interested in PassPlus but Telematics boxes made a big difference. I didn't get one though because I'm a bit wary of them.
We did get a dash cam which has been very useful in going over footage when they were learning or where they wanted an opinion on whether they had made the right judgement.

DelphiniumBlue · 21/08/2016 16:16

Amazing how threads come up just when you need them!
Our insurers (AA) refused to ensure learner drivers on our ( old) car at all. We found someone that quoted 4k ( on a car worth less than 1k).

So I was just thinking what to do next, when Fairy mentioned Marmalade.
They have just quoted £85 a month, which works for us - DS here in London with us for another month before going back to Uni - can give him intensive practice in that period - works for us.

LadyPenelope68 · 21/08/2016 17:11

All the prices we looked at there was no difference with the Pass Plus, like a pp said, it's having the black box that makes a difference. Don't know about other companies, but with Ingenie if they drive well you get money back, we got £90 back last quarter.

useyourimagination · 21/08/2016 17:13

We used Admiral on a multi car plan. Insuring DD as a learner was surprisingly cheap but as soon as they pass the premiums ramp up hugely because all of a sudden they're on their own in the car.

Squirr3ls · 21/08/2016 17:16

With black boxes of course they are judging your driving as well if on your car. One of DS's friends had his insurance cancelled within a couple of weeks because his driving was so bad , which of course is a good thing and acted as a lesson for others. Some have curfews so no good if you want to drive late at night.

19lottie82 · 25/08/2016 17:28

PassPlus doesn't really make a difference with insurance costs unfortunately. However, I would recommend it to boost a new drivers skills, as it teaches city centre and motorway driving.

Learner insurance isn't too bad, but don't expect insurance when they pass their test will be anywhere near this amount, it won't. It will be much MUCH higher.

Theworldsgonemad · 27/08/2016 18:53

Collingwood worked for us, specifically for learner drivers.

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