The Best Insurance Companies for People Aged 17–24 in the UK

If you're aged 17 to 24 and looking for insurance, you've probably already discovered one frustrating fact: being young can make insurance seriously expensive.

Whether you've just passed your driving test, are heading to university, or are buying your first car, choosing the right insurer can make a big difference. Prices vary enormously depending on your age, postcode, car, driving history, mileage and level of cover, so there isn't one company that will always be cheapest for everyone.

Here are some insurers worth considering if you're a young driver in the UK.

1. Admiral — Best All-Round Option

Admiral is one of the better-known options for young and newly qualified drivers.

Its LittleBox telematics insurance is particularly worth considering. A small device monitors factors such as your driving behaviour and can potentially help safe drivers receive a discount at renewal. However, poor driving can work against you, so it's important to understand the terms before choosing a black-box policy.

Admiral also offers MultiCar, which can be useful if your family has several vehicles insured with the company.

Best for: Young drivers who want telematics insurance or may benefit from a family MultiCar policy.

2. Veygo — Best for Learners and Flexible Cover

Veygo, part of the Admiral Group, focuses on learners, new drivers and flexible insurance.

For learner drivers, policies can provide temporary cover on a family member or friend's car, with options ranging from a few hours to 90 days. Once you pass your test, however, you'll need appropriate full-driver insurance.

Best for: 17–18-year-olds who are learning to drive or want short-term learner cover.

3. Black-Box Insurance — Worth Comparing

Rather than choosing an insurer purely because of its name, young drivers should consider whether telematics insurance could reduce their premium.

Black-box policies use technology to assess driving behaviour. Depending on the insurer, factors such as speed, braking, mileage and when you drive can affect your score.

For a careful driver, this can be an attractive option. But it isn't automatically cheaper, and some policies have restrictions or penalties for poor driving.

Best for: Safe, inexperienced drivers who are willing to have their driving monitored.

What Makes Insurance Expensive for 17–24-Year-Olds?

Young drivers generally pay more because insurers consider them a higher-risk group. Age and driving experience are important factors when calculating premiums, alongside things such as where you live and what car you drive.

The car you choose can make a particularly large difference. For example, Admiral's data for 17–25-year-old customers found substantial differences in average premiums between different models.

That's why buying a cheap car doesn't necessarily mean you'll get cheap insurance. Always get an insurance quote before buying the car.

5 Ways to Reduce Your Insurance Cost

1. Compare multiple quotes

Don't assume the first quote you receive is the best one. Prices can vary significantly between insurers.

2. Consider a black box

If you're a safe driver, telematics insurance may be worth investigating. Admiral, for example, says its LittleBox can reward safe driving with discounts.

3. Choose your car carefully

Small, lower-powered cars can sometimes be cheaper to insure. Admiral's research into 17-year-old drivers found models such as the Fiat 500, Ford Ka and Toyota Aygo among its cheaper-to-insure cars.

4. Build your no-claims history

Avoiding claims where appropriate can help you build a No Claims Discount over time. For a young driver, building up several years of claim-free driving can make a substantial difference.

5. Never put down the wrong main driver

Adding a parent as a named driver can sometimes reduce the cost, but the information must be truthful. If a young driver is actually the main user of the car but a parent is incorrectly declared as the main driver, this can constitute fronting, which is insurance fraud and could invalidate the policy.

So, Who Is the Best?

There isn't a single "best" insurer for every 17–24-year-old.

Admiral is a strong option to investigate because it specifically caters to young and new drivers and offers telematics and MultiCar options. Veygo is particularly useful for learners and flexible short-term cover. Beyond those, the smartest approach is to compare several insurers and look at the actual quote for your circumstances rather than relying on a generic ranking.

Most importantly, don't choose a policy based solely on price. Check the level of cover, excess, mileage limits, telematics requirements and what happens if your circumstances change.

Final Thought

Being a young driver doesn't mean you have to accept the first huge insurance quote you receive. Compare widely, choose your car carefully, consider telematics and make sure every detail on your application is accurate.

A few minutes of research could save you hundreds of pounds—and potentially make the difference between an affordable first car and one that's simply too expensive to run.