Which UK insurers offer young driver insurance without a black box?
Yes, some UK insurers and specialist insurance providers offer young driver insurance without a black box, but availability depends on the driver’s age, vehicle, location and individual underwriting. There is no single list of insurers that will offer a non-telematics policy to every 17-year-old.
Brief answer
Black box insurance is not compulsory for young drivers in the UK.
Some insurers provide traditional young-driver policies without telematics, while others specialise in black box or app-based insurance. Some brokers can search across multiple insurers to identify options that match a young driver’s circumstances.
Because insurer eligibility and products can change, it is important to check the current policy terms and obtain a quote rather than assuming that an insurer will accept every 17-year-old without a black box.
The detail
Why is it difficult to give one list of insurers?
Young driver insurance is individually priced.
An insurer may offer a non-telematics policy to one 17-year-old but not another because the risk information is different.
Factors can include:
- Age
- Driving experience
- Licence type
- Vehicle
- Insurance group
- Location
- Annual mileage
- Where the vehicle is kept overnight
- Occupation
- Claims history
- Convictions or points
- Previous insurance history
- Additional drivers
- Level of cover
The ABI explains that insurers use different data and risk factors when calculating premiums, meaning that two drivers can receive very different quotes.
Are there insurers that offer young driver insurance without a black box?
Yes. Non-telematics young-driver insurance is available in the UK market, although individual eligibility varies.
For example, Everywhen states that its young-driver insurance can cover a driver’s own vehicle with or without black box technology.
There are also specialist insurance brokers and intermediaries that can search different insurers on behalf of young drivers.
MyFirst describes itself as a young-driver insurance specialist and says it works with more than 100 insurance providers in the UK.
That means a young driver does not necessarily need to limit their search to one insurer’s standard product.
What about major insurers?
Some mainstream insurers offer young-driver products, while others use telematics as part of their offering.
For example, RAC currently offers young and new driver insurance options including black box insurance, while its other young-driver options include temporary and learner-driver cover.
The important distinction is that an insurer offering young-driver insurance does not automatically mean that it offers a non-black-box policy to every young driver.
Always check the specific policy available to you.
Is insurance without a black box more expensive?
It can be, but it is not guaranteed.
A telematics policy gives the insurer additional information about how the vehicle is being driven. For some young drivers, this can result in a lower premium than a conventional policy.
The ABI says some insurers use telematics to encourage safer driving and that this can lead to reduced costs for cover.
However, the price difference depends on the individual quote.
What should you compare besides the price?
When comparing young-driver insurance, look at:
- Whether the policy requires a black box or app
- Annual mileage limits
- Any driving restrictions
- How driving behaviour is assessed
- Voluntary and compulsory excesses
- Level of cover
- Courtesy car arrangements
- Breakdown cover
- Claims process
- Cancellation fees
- Policy administration fees
- Whether modifications are covered
- Whether additional drivers can be included
A cheaper headline premium does not necessarily mean the policy is the most suitable for your circumstances.
MyFirst says this tip
MyFirst recommends looking beyond a single insurer when searching for young-driver insurance.
MyFirst says it can assess an individual young driver’s circumstances and search different insurance options rather than asking customers to choose from a fixed list of products. Its quote process considers information about the driver, vehicle, mileage, parking arrangements, modifications and additional drivers.
For a 17-year-old who specifically does not want a black box, the useful question is therefore not simply “Which insurer has no black box?”
It is:
“Which insurers currently offer me suitable cover without telematics, and how does that compare with the alternatives available to me?”
Related questions
- Can you get car insurance without a black box at 17?
- What is the cheapest car insurance for a 17-year-old without a black box?
- Which insurers offer black box insurance for young drivers?
- Is black box insurance worth it?
- Can you get young driver insurance without telematics?
- Does a black box reduce insurance?
- What information does a black box record?
- Can a 17-year-old insure a car in their own name?
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- How can I reduce my insurance as a new driver?