Northern Ireland has the cheapest car insurance figures for young drivers across the UK. Despite this age group still suffering soaring premiums, Northern Ireland was recorded as cheapest across the 17-24, 25-34 and 35-44 age categories, according to the latest quarterly car insurance index figures.
Research by car insurance comparison experts CompareNI, shows that in Northern Ireland, 17–24-year-olds are, on average, paying the cheapest car insurance premiums in the UK at £1748. For the 25-34 and for the 35-44 age categories, the NI figure is still the cheapest at £844 and £625 respectively.
This is despite the latest figures from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) showing the rate of fatalities on Northern Irish roads is 34% higher than the overall UK rate – with accidental death rates of car occupants 88% higher in Northern Ireland than in the UK as a whole.*
Taking a look at the volume of incidents on our roads amongst young drivers, a recent report by the Department for Infrastructure showed that over the three-year period 2021-23, novice drivers (those within 2 years of passing their driving test) were involved in road traffic collisions that resulted in the death or serious injury of, on average, 125 people each year – which represents a 10% increase on the 2014-16 baseline of 113 killed or seriously injured per annum.
The greatest proportion of those involved a driver within six months of passing their test (39%), highlighting the increased risk involved with new drivers.**
Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “Historically drivers in Northern Ireland have been affected by a higher crime rate and a higher level of compensation from our courts, typically making premiums here more expensive. It is great to see prices starting to become more competitive with the rest of the UK although I would expect them to still remain high going into 2025 as inflation continues to fluctuate.
“Young people normally pay the most for their car insurance as the insurance providers don’t have historical data yet to base their risk analysis on. Also statistically, young people and new drivers have more accidents, especially in Northern Ireland.
“This doesn’t mean insurance for young people here in Northern Ireland has to be unaffordable, there are ways to find savings such as knowing the ideal day and time to buy insurance – plus reviewing how and where the car is used, all these tips could help reduce insurance premiums.
“But the best way to save money and protect lives is to drive safely, there are devices young drivers can use such as telematics or ‘black box’ insurance which allow them to show the insurance provider that they are safe and careful drivers.”
