New learner driver insurance can help pass rates, says AA

The AA has started offering affordable new insurance cover for learner drivers that won't affect the car owner's own insurance.

Learner Driver Insurance, introduced by the AA in partnership with Collingwood Insurance Services, is available online and costs a little over 3 per day for a 28-day, fully-comprehensive policy (total cost 96.50).  For subsequent 28-day periods, the price drops to 76.50 (2.73 per day) if introduced by an AA driving instructor.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance and the AA Driving School, says:  "It's vital that young drivers gain as much experience as possible while learning, in addition to their formal driving lessons.

"But many parents are put off adding their youngster as a ‘named driver' to their policy because the additional premium could run into several hundreds of pounds. As a result many learners have little opportunity to gain experience other than their hourly sessions in an instructor's vehicle.  They don't build up the ‘driving hours' that are important to gain both confidence and competence to drive safely once they have passed their test.

"Learner Driver Insurance provides an affordable solution."

This insurance comes at a time when the AA Driving School has launched a pioneering scheme to put parents, friends or relations back in the driving seat with an instructor, to help them develop skills for coaching learners.

Douglas says: "Family members are often out of step with the syllabus taught by a professional driving instructor and the Supporting Learner Drivers course will help to provide skills and confidence for those supervising a learner.

"Learners who build on their formal lessons by practising with family or friends have a better chance of passing their test and are likely to be safer behind the wheel.  Learner Driver Insurance from the AA complements this new scheme by providing an affordable way to help this happen."

The insurance can be arranged by visiting theAA.com/car-insurance/learner-driver-insurance.html