Cheapest Cars to Insure for an 18 Year Old Male

Why 18 year old men pay the most

Insurers price on claims data, and young male drivers as a group make more costly claims than most other drivers. Since 2012, insurers in the UK can't charge different prices based on gender alone, but factors linked to how and what people drive still affect the price.

With no driving history, the car you choose is one of the few things you fully control.

What makes a car cheap to insure

Look for cars that score well on the things insurers care about:

• A low insurance group, ideally 1 to 5 out of 50.
• A small engine and low power output.
• Cheap, easy-to-find parts and simple repairs.
• Good factory security, such as an immobiliser and alarm.
• A modest value, so a write-off costs the insurer less.

The types of car to shortlist

Small city cars and superminis with base-level engines are usually the cheapest to insure. Popular models tend to have cheap parts, and entry-level trims sit in lower groups than sporty versions of the same car.

Check the exact model and trim, because the same car can span several insurance groups depending on engine and spec.

Cars to avoid

Steer clear of these if price matters:

• Hot hatches and sporty trims, even of small cars.
• Cars with modifications such as alloy wheels, body kits or engine remaps.
• High-value or rare cars with expensive parts.
• Models popular with thieves in your area.

Other ways to cut the price

Once you've picked the car, a black box policy, a higher voluntary excess you can afford, and paying annually can all lower the premium. Compare several insurers every time.