The Impact of Pass Plus on Car Insurance Premiums

The average driver is now paying £892 for car insurance each year which is 40% higher than in 2010. This figure is slightly distorted by the fact that the quotes which are offered to young drivers are disproportionately high compared to other motorists; with drivers between the ages of 17 and 22 paying an average of £2,431 per year for their premiums.

These premiums reflect the fact that one in five drivers will be involved in a road accident within the first 12 months of passing their tests. Additionally, teenage motorists are ten times more likely to be either seriously injured or even killed in a road accident than someone over the age of 35. Young drivers are therefore forced to pay more for insurance in order to reflect the additional expenses that are drawn up for the insurer by motorists in this age bracket.

However, one possible solution to help address this problem is obtaining a pass plus qualification which is available from Care Motoring.

Pass plus explained

Pass plus is post-test course available to novice drivers who have already qualified for a full UK licence. It is designed to help young drivers build experience of various elements of driving that they would not have experienced pre-test for the first time with the aide of guidance from an experienced instructor.

Pass plus courses generally consists of six modules which cover:

There is no test upon completion of the course, but the pupil will be monitored by the driving instructor at all times during the programme in order to ensure that they have reached the required level of competence.

The benefits of pass plus

Pass Plus provides the pupil with experience of elements of driving with which they will not be familiar. This allows them to experience these unknowns for the first time with guidance from an experienced instructor who will teach them how to get it right at the first attempt in a calm environment.

This helps to lower the statistical likelihood of the driver being involved in an accident and making a claim. Most car insurance companies recognise this, and will therefore offer cheaper premiums to any driver with a pass plus qualification to their name.

The total insurance savings available as a result of completing a pass plus course will vary depending on the insurance company, with each insurer placing a different degree of importance on the qualification. However, it is possible that drivers who have recently past their test could shave up to 35% off their premiums by completing a pass plus course. This equates into a saving of over £850 for the average young driver between the ages of 17 and 22.

This more than compensates for the costs of completing the course, with the additional peace of mind that comes with knowing you are a more complete and hence safer driver.

Changes in the female car insurance market

Traditionally, male drivers have been forced to pay significantly more for insurance than female drivers. A closer look at this average £2,431 car insurance premium for drivers between the ages of 17 and 22 reveals that male drivers between these ages pay an average of £3,052. However, female drivers of the same age only pay £1,767. Once again this reflects the fact that male drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents and make claims than female motorists.

However, from the 21st December 2012 it will be illegal for insurance companies to discriminate in this manner. It is therefore expected that female car insurance prices will gradually increase by up to 50% on the run up to this date in order to level the paying field with male motorists. Any newly qualified female drivers would therefore be protecting themselves from future increases in their car insurance premiums by competing a pass plus qualification.