Long held provisional, never driven till now and first insurance

strewthelvis

I am probably in the wrong section, but i am learning to drive, i have held a provisional licence this is my fourth renewal without ever driving or having lessons always found an excuse not to drive.
I have now taken the plunge have completed six lessons so far and just bought a car. I have no idea where to look for insurance cover and would be glad of advice as the answers to "how many years licence held" and "previous insurance cover" questions seem to be stopping me get quotes online.
any and all advice appreciated

Opps better add am ahem over 40 yikes

at9qu5vp0wcix7

AXA will give you insurance on a Drive Safe or Student policy if you fit the criteria (e.g. age). Some discount is offered for having your 12 EDT lessons completed at the time of taking out the policy.

Stay away from the policies which require GPS trackers to be installed, they are bad news and can really hamper your ability to get insurance in the future if they cancel your policy for a trivial reason.

zepman

I was in an almost similar situation in January last year. Was on my fourth learner permit. Years ago, between my first two permits, I had completed my EDT and done a lot of additional lessons. So, last year, I started lessons again and looked at buying a car.

Like you, I wasn't getting any quotes online. I was finally able to get quotes on 123go. It is a black box insurance targeted at young people but really meant for anyone with no driving experience (I'm 35 myself). It seemed to be the only option I had, and probably the cheapest. I even added my wife as a named driver (also on a learner permit) without the quote increasing too much.

I personally didn't have a problem with the black box or 123. Frankly wanted to take what I got and just focus on learning how to drive, having spent a decade trying on and off.

The policy expired a few weeks ago, and since they didn't offer me a renewal, I shopped around, and finally went with AXA for this year. Unlike last year, in addition to online quotes, I also picked up the phone and got quotes over the phone. The AXA agent I spoke to over the phone was also able to give me an additional discount.

So I'd suggest getting quotes over the phone as well, starting with AXA.

Jane98

zepman wrote: »

I was in an almost similar situation in January last year. Was on my fourth learner permit. Years ago, between my first two permits, I had completed my EDT and done a lot of additional lessons. So, last year, I started lessons again and looked at buying a car.

Like you, I wasn't getting any quotes online. I was finally able to get quotes on 123go. It is a black box insurance targeted at young people but really meant for anyone with no driving experience (I'm 35 myself). It seemed to be the only option I had, and probably the cheapest. I even added my wife as a named driver (also on a learner permit) without the quote increasing too much.

I personally didn't have a problem with the black box or 123. Frankly wanted to take what I got and just focus on learning how to drive, having spent a decade trying on and off.

The policy expired a few weeks ago, and since they didn't offer me a renewal, I shopped around, and finally went with AXA for this year. Unlike last year, in addition to online quotes, I also picked up the phone and got quotes over the phone. The AXA agent I spoke to over the phone was also able to give me an additional discount.

So I'd suggest getting quotes over the phone as well, starting with AXA.

Hi Zepman, can I ask how you found 123go? Was there much hassle with it?

zepman

Jane98 wrote: »

Hi Zepman, can I ask how you found 123go? Was there much hassle with it?

No, there was no hassle at all. I signed up online and was contacted a few days later to schedule the installation of the black box.

The only thing is that twice during that policy year, the car failed to start due to a flat battery. The first time was just days after the black box was installed, and the second time was a few months later after they came and replaced the black box because it stopped working. So, both times, I had a flat battery just days after a black box was installed, although it may just have been a coincidence.

Jane98

zepman wrote: »

No, there was no hassle at all. I signed up online and was contacted a few days later to schedule the installation of the black box.

The only thing is that twice during that policy year, the car failed to start due to a flat battery. The first time was just days after the black box was installed, and the second time was a few months later after they came and replaced the black box because it stopped working. So, both times, I had a flat battery just days after a black box was installed, although it may just have been a coincidence.

Thanks so much for replying. I got a quote for my daughter and it was the cheapest by €600. I was looking for reviews online and I could find only a handfull which seemed nearly all negative but reading their reviews I had to wonder were they just aggrieved cause they were caught speeding too many times or went over the agreed kilometres. Thanks, I think i'll go for it.

zepman

Jane98 wrote: »

Thanks so much for replying. I got a quote for my daughter and it was the cheapest by €600. I was looking for reviews online and I could find only a handfull which seemed nearly all negative but reading their reviews I had to wonder were they just aggrieved cause they were caught speeding too many times or went over the agreed kilometres. Thanks, I think i'll go for it.

You're welcome.:)
Yeah, I remember coming across the negative reviews too, but I didn't have a choice at the time since I wasn't getting quotes from other providers (may have been due to the fact I was on a learner permit at the time). Fortunately, it wasn't a bad experience at all. As I was a learner/novice during that year, I was an extra cautious driver so never had a problem with speeding etc.
So, like you suggest, anyone driving sensibly would probably have no issues with them.

Airyfairy12

I found AA insurance very good compared to all the other insurance companies that I rang. Many of them wouldnt insure me because I was a first time driver over 30.
The type of car you bought, year, make ect will all be taken into consideration, they can refuse to insure you for any trivial reason.

Doncor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/112578326#Comment_112578326

I'm in a very similar situation. 27, first insurance policy (albeit I've had my full EU license for over 8 years) and no one gives a quote besides 123. I think I also picked a wrong car as it's 1.8 petrol and classified as a sport coupe (didn't know it would make such a massive problem). Could I get I touch with you via direct messages here to ask a few questions about your experience with 123?

Thanks

hoodie6029

You could try First Ireland, they're a broker that cover first time drivers.

Doncor

Ended up going with another insurer that gave me a twice higher quote but no box. You can't buy freedom I guess...

LeeroyJ.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118897215#Comment_118897215

Sorry to raise this back up but Im facing the same issue, who did you with?