Car Insurance Guide

Car insurance for first-time drivers in South Africa

Written by Chloe Adams Managing Editor Reviewed by Nomsa Dlamini RE5 qualified · 12 years in short-term insurance Updated 26 July 2026 Our editorial standards →

How does car insurance work for a first-time driver?

First-time drivers usually pay more for car insurance because they have no claims history and are statistically higher risk. You can lower the cost by choosing a modest first car, fitting a tracker, taking a higher voluntary excess, and comparing quotes. Being added to a parent's policy as a named driver is sometimes cheaper, but the car must be insured by its regular main driver.

Key takeaways

First-time drivers pay more because they have no claims record yet.
A modest, lower-value first car is cheaper to insure.
A tracker, secure parking and a higher excess reduce the premium.
Every claim-free year builds a no-claim bonus and lowers future cost.
Always list the true main driver of the car to avoid rejected claims.

Why first-time drivers pay more

Insurers price on risk, and a driver with no history is an unknown. Until you build a claim-free record, you'll usually pay more than an experienced driver. The good news is that each claim-free year builds a no-claim bonus that brings the cost down.

How to lower the premium

Choose a modest, lower-value first car
Fit an approved tracker and park securely
Take a higher voluntary excess you can afford
Keep a clean record from day one
Compare quotes - first-driver premiums vary a lot between insurers

Named driver vs main driver

Being added to a parent's policy as a named (occasional) driver can be cheaper, but the car must be insured by the person who actually drives it most - the main driver. Listing a low-risk parent as the main driver of a car a young person mostly drives ('fronting') can void a claim.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to go on my parent's car insurance?

Being added as a named driver on a parent's policy can be cheaper, but only the car's regular main driver should be listed as such. If you drive the car most, you must be the main driver - otherwise a claim can be rejected.

How can a first-time driver get cheaper car insurance?

Choose a modest first car, fit a tracker, park securely, take a higher voluntary excess, and compare quotes. Building a claim-free record quickly is the biggest long-term saving.

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