Even if you are the most careful driver on the planet if you are under 25 getting cheap car insurance is going to be a headache. According to statistics it is more likely you will have an accident in the first two years of passing your test than at any other time in your motoring life, whilst it is eight times more likely that a driver under 25 will make a claim. These facts, combined with the image of the boy racer tearing around in his flash sports car, have fostered a distrust of young male drivers and made it hard for them to find affordable cover.

Because they are perceived to be a greater risk the premiums for motorists under 25 are considerably higher than those of their more mature counterparts. However there are ways in which a young driver can bring the cost of their insurance down.

Firstly, ask yourself whether you really need that sleek, powerful sports car that you have been drooling over? It may be a wrench to go with a cheaper model but more expensive cars result in higher premiums, due to the increased cost of replacement parts. Opting for a vehicle more closely suited to your needs rather than your dreams can save you a lot of money in the long run.

The next thing you need to work out is what type of insurance is best for you. While cost should not be the deciding factor a Third Party Fire and Theft policy is a lot less expensive than a Fully Comprehensive one. Think hard about the likelihood of damage to your own car, which would not be covered by Third Party Fire and Theft, rather than just going for the cheaper option.

But if you really can't resist that Ferrari then make sure you limit the number of additional drivers on your policy. Depending on the state of their licences you could find yourself paying substantially more to allow them to drive your car. Be realistic and only include those who will definitely need to get behind the wheel on a regular basis.

Security is also a big issue with high performance cars; if you ensure that your vehicle is fitted with suitable alarms and immobilisers then there is a good chance that your insurance company will lower the cost of your premiums.

As well as these standard cost saving measures there are various official schemes in force designed to ween out the responsible younger drivers from the reckless and dangerous ones. Pass Plus is a government sponsored initiative which acts as an additional training course for those who have recently passed their test. Whilst the thought of going through another form of driving exam might set your teeth on edge it is one of the most assured ways of lowering the cost of your premiums and therefore something you should seriously consider. With modules including town and night driving the course is also a good addendum to the original test, going into more depth on specific issues. There is a fee to take Pass Plus but certain local authorities are willing to subsidise pupils for up to half the amount, and even if you do not qualify for a course discount the savings you could make on your premiums by flourishing the certificate should more than compensate.

One insurance company is also trialling a scheme whereby an anti-speeding device is fitted to the car, which records whenever the driver exceeds the given speed limit for a particular stretch of road. Aimed primarily at young motorists the device notifies the driver when they have gone over the limit and gives them three ‘lives' before they have their policy revoked. It might sound like a crazy thing to volunteer for but the benefits for the responsible driver are huge; as much as a 50% discount on low cost car insurance.

It is also possible with some insurers for young drivers to gain no claims points whilst on their parents' policy. This is a great way of building up evidence of careful driving as well as an inexpensive one. If you cannot find an insurance company to agree to this it is wise to get your own policy as soon as possible. Again this might seem like an unnecessary payout at the time but the faster you can get those no claims points on your policy the faster your premiums will fall.

The warnings and provisos in this article are aimed primarily at young male drivers. Statistically speaking female drivers under the age of 25 are more responsible and involved in fewer accidents so therefore should have less difficulty in finding affordable car insurance. There are various insurance companies out there that specialise in policies for women of all ages where the premiums are considerably lower than those for their male counterparts.

Sorry fellers but until the statistics reflect better on you it is always going to be more of a struggle.