Young motorists are being hit by a rise in car insurance costs even as premiums fall
Car insurance has become slightly cheaper for the typical motorist, but the latest figures contain a sting in the tail for younger drivers. Those aged between 17 and 24 have seen their median annual premium rise by more than £50 in just three months.
Quotezone‘s Q3 2026 Car Insurance Price Index puts the median UK premium at £587.35, down £31.66 from £619.01 in the previous quarter. For 17 to 24-year-olds, however, the median increased from the previous quarter to £1,150.34, a rise of £50.77 or 4.6%.
It means young motorists remain firmly at the expensive end of the insurance market. The next-highest age group, drivers aged 25 to 34, had a median premium of £812.55, according to the same data.
The figures should not be interpreted as a £50.77 charge being added to every young driver’s policy. Quotezone’s figure is the change in the median premium for the whole 17 to 24 age bracket, based on more than 100,000 policies quoted through the comparison site.
Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk, said: “It’s good news for most motorists to see premiums heading in the right direction, with the median falling by over £30 in three months. But the picture isn’t as positive for young drivers, who are already the group paying the most and have seen costs rise again.
“Where premiums do increase, it’s thought to be down to rising claims costs, alongside advanced vehicle technology making repairs and replacement parts more expensive. Young drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in a collision, which is why the new rules in Northern Ireland are so significant.”
Northern Ireland has introduced a new Graduated Driver Licensing system from October 1, with measures designed to give new drivers more time and experience before driving independently. Among the changes are a mandatory minimum learning period of six months, a two-year R-plate period and restrictions affecting some passengers and night-time driving for newly qualified drivers under 24.
The changes apply specifically in Northern Ireland and should not be confused with a UK-wide change to driving licences. Quotezone said its own survey found 85% of respondents would support similar measures elsewhere, but that does not mean equivalent rules have been announced across Great Britain.
For motorists facing an expensive renewal, Wilson recommends shopping around rather than allowing a policy to renew automatically. He also advises checking annual mileage, considering annual payment where affordable, looking at telematics policies and checking a vehicle’s insurance group before buying.
The regional figures also show how widely prices can vary, with London remaining the most expensive area at £771.94 while the South West was cheapest at £470.56. Scotland recorded a median of £507.95, while Wales stood at £482.13, although individual drivers’ quotes can differ significantly depending on their circumstances.
For young drivers, the latest figures underline why comparing cover before renewal can be particularly important. While the wider insurance market has seen prices fall, the latest data shows younger motorists have not shared that improvement this quarter.
