Drivers aged 17 to 24 have seen their car insurance premiums rise by £50.77, or 4.6 per cent, to £1,150.34, according to the latest Car Insurance Price Index from Quotezone. The increase comes as the typical UK policy price fell by more than £30 over the same three-month period.
The median annual premium across all age groups dropped from £619.01 in Q2 2026 to £587.35 in Q3. However, premiums for younger motorists moved in the opposite direction, leaving them facing the highest insurance costs of any age group.
Age group differences
Quotezone's data shows motorists aged 25 to 34 paid £812.55 on average, while those aged 65 and over had the lowest figure at £427.45.
The £50.77 figure does not mean every driver born between 2002 and 2009 will see their renewal increase by exactly that amount. Instead, it represents the change in the median annual premium for the 17 to 24 age group across Quotezone's sample of more than 100,000 UK policies.
Reasons behind the rise
Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk, said: "It's good news for most motorists to see premiums heading in the right direction, with the median falling by over £30 in three months. But the picture isn't as positive for young drivers, who are already the group paying the most and have seen costs rise again."
"Where premiums do increase, it's thought to be down to rising claims costs, alongside advanced vehicle technology making repairs and replacement parts more expensive. Young drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in a collision, which is why the new rules in Northern Ireland are so significant."
New rules in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has now introduced its Graduated Driver Licensing scheme, with new measures applying to newly qualified drivers and learners. The changes include a six-month minimum learning period, two years of R-plate requirements and restrictions on passengers and night-time driving for some newly qualified drivers.
The rules are aimed particularly at improving safety among younger and newly qualified motorists, rather than directly changing car insurance prices. Quotezone said 85% of people surveyed would like similar measures introduced elsewhere in the UK, although the survey is the company's own research rather than government policy.
Advice for young drivers
For young drivers looking to reduce their own costs, Wilson recommends shopping around before renewal rather than automatically accepting a new quote. He also suggests being accurate about annual mileage, considering paying annually where possible, checking a vehicle's insurance group before buying and looking at telematics cover.
The latest figures provide a mixed picture for motorists, with the overall market heading in the right direction while young drivers face another increase. For those renewing soon, comparing quotes could therefore make a significant difference to the final amount they are asked to pay.
