This sample shows that the average quoted price for 17 to 24 year-olds barely changed in Q2 2026. It shows what happened to quotes through one comparison site, but it does not explain why the average stayed almost flat. It cannot predict whether one young driver's quote will rise, fall or stay the same.
What Changed For Ages 17 To 24 In Q2 2026?
Quotezone published the quarterly comparison on 10 July 2026. It says the figures use a random selection from more than 100,000 policies quoted through its service. For ages 17 to 24, the reported average moved from about £1,099.34 in Q1 to about £1,099.57 in Q2. That rise of about 23p was effectively flat.
| Age Band | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | Quarterly Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 to 24 | £1,099.34 | £1,099.57 | +£0.23, about 0.02% |
This was a large but limited snapshot of quotes through one service. It was not a record of every car insurance policy bought in the UK. The result reflects who asked for quotes, the details they entered and the providers available at the time.
It is useful background, but it cannot tell you exactly what your own renewal or new quote will look like.
For wider context, Clean Green Cars' guide to the average car insurance cost by age and region covers the full Q2 dataset. This article focuses only on the almost flat result for the youngest age group.
The young driver car insurance page explains how the comparison journey works. A current quote can show how providers assess your own details.
Why A Flat Average Does Not Mean Your Quote Stayed Flat
An average can stay level even when the quotes behind it move. One young driver might see a higher price after a recent claim. Another might see a lower price after changing their car or cover level. The average can still end up in almost the same place.
Changes in who asked for quotes and what cars they insured can also affect the result. Age is only one part of the calculation. Two 19-year-olds could receive very different prices because their cars, addresses, mileage, occupations, claims histories and cover choices differ.
Young Driver Quote Detail Stack
Build the quote from the details most likely to change the result.
Driver Details
Age, licence type, test date, occupation, address and driving history.
Car Details
Registration, value, modifications, keeper, owner and where the car is kept.
Use Details
Commuting, business use, mileage, named drivers and who is the main driver.
Risk Details
Claims, points, convictions, cancellations and telematics suitability.
Policy Choices
Cover level, excess, payment method, add-ons and black-box conditions.
A consistent, accurate quote is more useful than a quick quote based on guesses.
This is a snapshot of one quarter. It cannot show what a provider will offer one person.
Could Telematics Be Part Of The Explanation?
The data does not show which types of policy were quoted. It therefore cannot show whether telematics played any part in the flat average. Telematics policies may use driving behaviour, mileage, time of travel or location, depending on the product. This can give some providers more information than age alone.
A telematics policy will not automatically be cheaper for everyone. Terms, charges, mileage limits and the way driving data is used can vary. Clean Green Cars' guide to telematics and black box insurance explains what to check.
There could be other reasons for the almost flat result. These include competition between providers and changes in the drivers, cars or locations in the sample. The figures do not show which explanation, if any, is correct.
If you are comfortable with driving monitoring and any restrictions, you could compare a telematics quote with a standard policy. Check the full price and terms of each. This article is not claiming that telematics caused the Q2 result.
Why A Flat Quarter Did Not Mean Low Prices
Flat did not mean low. At £1,099.57, the 17 to 24 figure remained the highest age-band average in the Quotezone table.
Crash statistics help show why young-driver prices can be higher, but they do not reveal how each insurer sets its prices. The Department for Transport defines younger drivers as ages 17 to 24. Its 2024 factsheet says around one fifth of people killed or seriously injured in car collisions were in collisions involving a young car driver. For male drivers aged 17 to 24, the rate per billion miles was around four times the rate for men aged 25 and over.
These figures describe the age group as a whole, not every individual young driver. Insurers may still look at your car, address, mileage and driving history as well as your age. Clean Green Cars separately explains which age group causes the most car accidents.
Claims costs may also affect prices. The Association of British Insurers reported an average accidental-damage claim of around £3,699 in Q1 2026. Repair costs could affect prices across the market even when one age band's average barely changes.
What Should Young Drivers Take From The Figures?
High young-driver prices can be frustrating, especially when the headline average barely moves. Do not assume that your renewal or a new quote will also stay the same.
Check your renewal carefully and compare quotes on a like-for-like basis. Look at the total price, excess, add-ons and policy conditions, not only the headline premium. Make sure every detail you enter is accurate. Prices and acceptance will depend on your circumstances and each provider's criteria.
What To Watch In The Next Update
One quarter is not a trend. The next useful test will be whether the 17 to 24 average stays stable in Q3, falls or starts rising like the older bands.
The next figures should also use a similar number of quotes and a similar method. This would allow the quarters to be compared like for like. The same pattern over several quarters would mean more than a single movement of about 23p.
FAQs
Did young-driver car insurance get cheaper in Q2 2026?
Not in the Quotezone sample. The reported average for ages 17 to 24 rose by about 23p, from about £1,099.34 to about £1,099.57. This does not mean every young driver's quote increased.
Why Was The 17 To 24 Average Still High In This Sample?
Providers may look at age-related claims risk alongside the car, address, mileage, driving history and cover chosen. The price will still vary by driver and provider.
Can my quote rise if the average is flat?
Yes. Some personal quotes can rise while others fall, leaving the average almost unchanged. Your own details and each provider's pricing will affect the result.
Does black-box insurance make cover cheaper?
It may help some drivers, but a lower price is not guaranteed. Check how the policy uses driving data, any mileage or time restrictions, its charges and the full terms.
What Would Make The Next Quarterly Update More Meaningful?
A similar sample showing the same pattern over several quarters would be more useful than one small quarterly movement.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
If you use the comparison form, your details are passed to the quote provider. Its participating insurers assess the quotes and cover they may offer. Check the policy information before deciding.
Data note: the Q1 and Q2 figures are from Quotezone's July 2026 quoted-price analysis. Road-risk context is from the Department for Transport younger-driver factsheet. Claims-cost context is from the ABI Q1 2026 Motor Insurance Premium Tracker. Sources checked 13 July 2026.
