Au pair car insurance costs can add to financial squeeze

Increasingly busy lifestyles mean that many working parents are looking to appoint nannies or au pairs to look after their children.

However, research conducted by Confused.com, the UK's leading car insurance comparison site, has revealed that in some cases it can cost 400% - or £1,405 - more to insure a child carer as a named driver.

The start of the school term brings with it the school-run, children's parties and after-school activities which, in turn, means that a car is often vital. Yet certain insurers will charge hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds extra to provide insurance for nannies and au pairs. In fact, the average increase is £671 - or a staggering 184% - more than the cost of insuring the primary driver.

Simon Lamble, product director at Confused.com, says: "An increasing number of people are employing a nanny or au pair to look after their children while they continue to work. However, the cost of insuring a nanny or an au pair on the family car is often extortionate and not all child carers will have their own transportation. If a car is essential, then it is very important to shop around for the best deal rather than accepting the first price your insurance provider gives you. It could also be more cost-effective to include the au pair as an extra driver on the policy when you are investigating a new policy, as opposed to making mid-term amendments which could work out significantly more expensive.

"It is also important to ensure that the au pair or nanny that you hire is confident and comfortable when it comes to driving in the UK. In some cases, for peace of mind, it may be worth investing in a couple of driving lessons and taking this into consideration when thinking about costs. It is also important to consider your nanny or au pair's driving history as a poor driving record can really ramp up the overall cost of insurance".