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Learner driver insurance: What you need to know before you buy

By Paul Baxter, 11th December 2024

Category: Learner driver

Importance of learner driver insurance

Like with most things in life, the more you practise, the better you get. Learning to drive is no different; the more time you spend in the driver's seat, the more skilled you become. However, getting the necessary practise hours can be challenging. Your driving instructor may have limited availability, you might have a tight schedule due to work or studies, or the costs of lessons may be adding add up.

Learner driver insurance can help you gain the practise you need. With learner driver insurance, you can drive as often and as long as you want, supplementing your professional driving lessons and building experience before your driving test. You just need to be supervised by someone aged over 25 who has held a full driving licence for the car you are driving for at least 3 years.

Temporary learner driver insurance vs short-term learner driver insurance – what’s the difference?

Nothing, they’re basically the same. We might use the phrase “short-term” because learner driver insurance is for a shorter than an annual car insurance policy. Or we might use “temporary” as …it’s also shorter than annual car insurance policy.

So, if you’re shopping around and see one company offer short-term learner driver insurance and another offer temporary learner driver insurance, they’re offering the same thing, just worded slightly different.

If you are shopping around, just remember that not only do we offset all of the carbon you produce when learning but you’ll also earn rewards for your green driving.

Adding a learner driver to your existing policy

You can sometimes add a learner driver to the existing motor insurance policy for your car. To do so, contact your insurance provider to see if they allow you to add a named driver on a provisional driving licence. Keep in mind that not all insurance companies will permit this, and it may increase your premium due to the risk associated with the learner driver. Additionally, if a claim is made, your No Claims Discount (NCD) could be affected. Also, be aware that the premium may increase dramatically when you pass your test.

Getting learner driver insurance

An alternative to adding a named driver is to take out our learner driver insurance. To do this, you can click on the link and get a quote. Our learner driver insurance allows you to pick how many days cover you need, so you only pay for the cover you need and as it’s a separate insurance policy, the car owner’s No Claims Discount is protected. Getting a quote is easy and it only takes a couple of minutes.

Considerations for choosing the right policy

Cost factors

When selecting learner driver insurance, consider:

  • Named driver vs. learner driver insurance: Weigh your options carefully.
  • Duration of coverage needed: Some insurers offer a fixed block of days rather than flexible insurance.
  • Shopping around for quotes: This can help you secure the best deal.
  • Rewards or benefits: Look for policies that come with additional rewards, like ours! 😊
  • Carbon offsets: Go green and help preserve our planet while you drive.

Coverage limitations

It's vital to understand the limitations of your insurance policy. Here are some restrictions from The Green Insurer:

  • This policy only covers the learner driver, driving a specific car for them to practise driving. It does not cover any other drivers.
  • The learner driver cannot be the car owner.
  • The car must remain insured by its owner throughout the term of this policy under a separate annual insurance policy.
  • All cover ends as soon as the Learner Driver passes their practical driving test.
  • The car owner must also be the person named on the DVLA registration document (V5C).
  • Learners must be supervised by a qualified driver, aged 25 or over, who has held a full UK driving licence for more than 3 years.
  • The car is not left-hand drive and does not have a registration number starting with a Q.
  • The car has not been changed in any way from the manufacturer's original specification other than options chosen from the manufacturer when the car was bought, unless adapted for disability.
  • The learner driver has been a permanent resident in the UK for the last two years.
  • The learner driver has no driving or criminal convictions and has not been declined car insurance.
  • Maximum car value £30,000.