Struggling to Find the Cheapest Cars to Insure for New Drivers? HONDA Civic VI Hatchback (EJ, EK) (10.1995 - 02.2001)

Finding affordable insurance as a new driver for your 1998 Honda Civic can be challenging but there are several strategies and considerations to help lower your premium:

Tips to Get Cheaper Insurance for New Drivers
- Add an experienced driver to your policy: Including a parent or another experienced driver as a named driver can reduce costs, as insurers see this as lowering risk. Just ensure you don’t misrepresent the main driver to avoid illegal fronting.
- Choose a modest, lower-powered car: Insurance premiums are generally cheaper for cars with less power and lower insurance group ratings. Your 1998 Honda Civic likely falls into a lower insurance group compared to newer, sportier cars, which helps reduce costs.
- Pay annually rather than monthly: Paying your premium in one lump sum upfront usually costs less than monthly installments due to avoided interest charges.
- Increase your voluntary excess: Agreeing to pay a higher excess (the amount you cover before insurance pays) can lower your premium, but be sure you can afford the excess if you need to claim.
- Use telematics or “black box” insurance: This monitors your driving behavior and can reward safe driving with lower premiums, which is especially useful for new drivers.
- Shop around and compare quotes: Use comparison websites and get quotes from multiple insurers, including specialist providers for young or new drivers. Sometimes insurers linked to family members’ policies can offer discounts if you have prior insurance history.
- Consider advanced driving courses: Completing recognized advanced or defensive driving courses can sometimes reduce premiums.

Does the Car’s Age Impact the Premium?
- The age of your Honda Civic (1998 model) generally helps reduce insurance costs because older cars typically cost less to repair or replace, and they often fall into lower insurance groups. However, very old cars might lack modern safety features, which could slightly increase premiums with some insurers.
- Overall, your Civic’s age is more likely to reduce your premium compared to newer, high-performance vehicles.

Specific Companies and Considerations
- While no single insurer is guaranteed cheapest, companies like Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide, and others often offer competitive rates for Honda Civics, especially if you compare quotes.
- Specialist young driver insurers or those offering telematics policies (black box) can be beneficial.
- Avoid insurers offering very low premiums with limited coverage, as this can cost more in the event of a claim.

Your 1998 Honda Civic’s age should help keep premiums lower, but as a new driver, your rates will still be higher due to inexperience. Use strategies like adding an experienced driver, paying annually, opting for telematics insurance, and comparing multiple quotes to find the best deal. Also, consider increasing your excess and taking advanced driving courses to reduce costs further.