Young Drivers 'Face Premium Hike'

29/06/11

By Beth Edmonston

Young drivers have been warned that their car insurance premiums could rocket by 50 per cent in the next few months.

It is feared the increase could make motoring unaffordable for many young people, or tempt them into lying to their insurance company to try and get their premiums down.

There are also concerns that rises on such a scale - from £2,400 now to £3,600 - could even see more young people get behind the wheel with no insurance at all.

Accountancy firm Mazars, which came up with the figures, said drivers may instead switch to motorcycles - but they come with a far higher safety risk.

Alternatively, young drivers could once again be forced to rely on public transport or the "taxi service" of their parents, which may impact on the quality of their lives.

Mazars insurance expert Craig Scarr said: "The insurance industry needs to look at innovative ways to allow young drivers to get affordable insurance, while penalising boy racers."