[shillelagh]

When i eventually managed to pass my test i already had a car no insurance on it though it was parked in my drive and stayed there till i passed. Then i went looking for insurance. I only wanted 3rd party fire and theft because it was a D reg VW Polo. I was 31 when i passed my test. It cost $421. When i insured it the 2nd year it went down to $350 because i hadnt had any accidents they knew about. Anyway i changed the car to a micra N reg - when i bought that i knew i needed to go fully comp. Rang round the insurance companies again cheapest was $375. Anyway by the time it came round for renewing again id had another fit and wasnt driving. When i got my licence back i still had the micra (id parked it in my garage and kept turning the engine over and running it up and down the driveway) so i rang round the insurance companies - I had no no claims bonus because i was driving when i had the last fit and had $1000 worth of damage to the car never mind the wall, anyway i rang them all up and one company said its cheaper to treat you as a new driver - with all the discounts they receive from the insurance companies it was $325. I asked how come and they said because they want your business the companies will give you a discount because you are a new driver - and they hope that when it comes to renewing that you will just stick with them and not bother looking round. Thats my experience of car insurance companies.