Getting affordable car insurance for young drivers is becoming more and more difficult.

Insurance companies should offer the following:

• Immediate cover;
• Flexible payment terms;
• Breakdown cover (rescue, recovery and home start services throughout the UK and Europe);
• Courtesy car;
• Legal cover;
• Repayment protection.

Breakdown cover for a young driver should typically include cover for recovery of your vehicle to a suitable repairer, alternative means of transport to your destination, emergency hotel accommodation where necessary, and up to 48 hours hire car if your vehicle cannot be repaired within the agreed timescales.

Legal Cover for a young driver should offer an uninsured loss recovery service, which means that your claim for ALL your losses will be pursued if the accident was not your fault, such as your excess, compensation for loss of use, arranging a solicitor if you were injured, etc.

A Replacement Vehicle should be provided if your call is received within 48 working hours following an immobilising accident, fire or theft, for up to 7 days.

Flexible Payment Terms offered should include options of either a one-off payment - cash, cheque or all leading credit and debit cards, or monthly instalments at a low interest rate, with an optional low-cost repayment protection scheme.

Special Rates can be negotiated for great deals for younger drivers with the right insurer, usually by a broker. Another way to reduce your premiums is to take ‘Pass Plus’. This is a project run by the Driving Standards Agency in association with many of the UK's major motor insurance companies. In your first year as a new driver completing the Pass Plus training can lead to a substantial discount on your young person’s car insurance premium. It consists of a short course of further driver training and road sense education.

Premiums can vary considerably for young person's car insurance and this largely depends upon the type of vehicle you want to drive. The cheapest insurance you can get is Third Party Insurance. This is appropriate for low value vehicles and usually covers:

• Liability for injuries to other people, including passengers;
• Liability for damage to other people's property;
• Liability of passengers for accidents caused by them;
• Liability arising from the use of a caravan or trailer while attached to the car.

The next option up is Third Party Fire & Theft. Third Party Fire and Theft Policies are generally the same as Third Party policies, but with protection added to cover losses in the event of fire or theft of your vehicle.

The most expensive option is Fully Comprehensive. Fully Comprehensive car insurance, is recommended for cars over £1000 in value and becomes necessary for cars over £5000 in value. "Comprehensive" is generally taken to mean that both your car and any damages and injuries arising from it are comprehensively covered. As well as the previously mentioned cover, this includes:

• Accidental damage to your own car;
• A personal accident benefit - certain amounts are paid in the event of the death or specific permanent disablement of the policyholder (and sometimes his or her spouse or family member);
• Medical expenses necessarily incurred, up to a limit;
• Loss of, or damage to personal effects in the car, up to a limit.

Some tips when buying insurance for Young Drivers include:

• Make sure you are aware of any excess and/or cover limits your policy may include;
• Check who is covered to drive your car;
• Check what use your car can be used for (such as work, etc.);
• Check the No Claims Discount, as scales vary from one motor insurer to another, and can range from 30% for one claim free year up to 60% or more after four or five years;
• See if a Protected Discount policy is available;
• Check that the policy includes Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance, which gives you added protection if your car is written off, giving you the difference between the original purchase price and the car's pre-accident value;
• See if Legal expenses are included.

You should also be aware of some common exclusions for young persons car insurance, including:

• Theft by deception - If you are selling your car, make sure you receive the full payment before the new owner drives away. Your insurance policy will usually not cover your loss if your car is taken from you by deception;
• Driving Other Cars - Many policies cover the policyholder whilst driving someone else's car. However, cover will be limited to third party only, even if you have a comprehensive policy for your own car;
• Make sure that you have the car owner's permission to drive the vehicle and that the owner has arranged comprehensive insurance.

A young person is always more likely to be blamed for an accident, so make sure you act calmly, establish the other driver's details and never agree it was your fault at the time of the accident. You may be scared and/or upset and unsure about what to do when you have your first accident. Do not accept liability for any accident and remember try to keep calm. If people are injured, the Police will take statements from both parties and try to establish whose fault it was. If no one is injured, normally the Police will not attend the scene and you should exchange details of drivers' contact numbers, names and insurance companies. You should immediately call your insurance company when you get home to inform them of the accident and they will send you a claim form.

No one wants to have an accident but driving today is a hazardous activity. To drive safely and to build up a no claims discount takes time and safe driving. If you want cheaper car insurance as a young person, then make sure you follow the rules, drive carefully and pay attention to the road and weather conditions.