Young Driver Insurance with No Black Box

Black box or no black box? If you’ve just passed your test as a young driver, you’re probably asking yourself that question right now.

It’s a heated debate – and there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s all about the option that best fits your individual circumstances.

Black box – or telematics – insurance can help you save on your future premiums, as long as you’re a careful driver, but it’s not the right choice for everyone.

If you’re worried about your privacy, anxious that one driving mistake could cost you next year, or you simply want to hit the road without feeling restricted, insurance with no black box could be the best choice for you.

In a nutshell, no black box insurance is a policy that doesn’t need a black box – also known as telematics – to be fitted.

That means your insurer won’t be able to monitor your driving habits. There’s no data sharing and no loss of privacy.

Unfortunately, this freedom can cost you, especially if you’re a young driver.

But if you don’t mind trading a higher premium for the knowledge that your insurer isn’t tracking your every move, then insurance without a black box could be well worth the extra expense.

You value your independence

Calling all free spirits! If you like spontaneously jumping behind the wheel and heading out on the open road, you might be best suited to an insurance policy that doesn’t require a black box that can feel restrictive.

You’re not a very confident driver

When you’ve just passed your test, you’ll be clued up on all the basics, but it can still take a while to get comfortable with driving. Knowing a black box will catch those awkward corners or sudden stops could add to your anxiety and make you hyper-aware of every action.

You drive a lot of miles

Not all black box insurance policies come with a mileage restriction, but if you drive a lot of long distances each week, you might be better off with a no black box policy that won’t have any limits.

You often drive at night

With driving becoming more dangerous after dark, some black box insurance policies will include a curfew. If you don’t want any driving restrictions or work a night shift, then insurance without a black box could be a better fit.

You’re concerned about fluctuating premiums

The big advantage of black box policies is that you can earn a reduction on your next premium if you’re a careful driver. If you’d rather not wait and see whether you’ve earned a discount or not, you might want to give this route a miss.

You have privacy concerns

Black boxes aren’t exactly Big Brother, but they do monitor when, where, and how you drive. If you’re concerned about sharing your data or having your privacy compromised, telematics insurance probably won’t be right for you.

Find the cheapest possible premium with our top tips for getting a great deal on your no black box insurance:

Choose a cheaper, smaller car

A used car with a small engine will typically land in a low insurance group and be cheaper to cover.

Keep mileage low

Always be honest, but don’t be tempted to over-estimate your mileage. If you only drive 5,000 miles a year but get a quote based on a 10,000-mile average, you’ll be paying over the odds for no reason.

Increase your voluntary excess

Voluntary excess is the amount you agree to pay towards an accident or repair before your insurance kicks in to cover the rest. The higher your excess, the lower your premium is likely to be.

Pay annually

If you can afford to pay your full year’s premium in one go this will usually be cheaper than splitting it into 12 monthly payments.

Add an experienced named driver

While you shouldn’t claim anyone else is the car’s main driver if you are (that’s known as fronting), you can add a more experienced person as a named driver. Having a parent on your policy could help save you some money.

Compare quotes

Shopping around is always a good idea. We’ll search 110 different insurers to find you the cheapest available quote.