Getting the cheapest car insurance for first-time drivers could be an uphill battle. Any driver can simply do an Internet search, get a list of prospective car insurance companies and narrow down to a select few to request quotes from. Not any driver can, however, qualify for the cheapest car insurance rates–especially if they are a first-time driver.

Insurance underwriting criteria used to determine your premiums include the year, make and model of your vehicle, the purpose for it, where it is parked when not in use, your driving record and length of time you have been driving and your credit score. There are other criteria that comes into play as well, such as where you live and how often you use your vehicle.

Most new drivers are under 25, and many of them may have less than three years of driving experience. Those are two strikes against them for car insurance underwriters. Drivers under 25, especially male drivers under 25, are classified as high risk. Drivers in this group are more likely to drive too fast and lack sufficient defensive driving skills to avoid an accident. Female drivers under 25 tend to drive slower than males in the same age group, but they are still considered a higher risk than older female drivers with more years of experience on the road. Some first-time drivers might qualify for the cheapest car insurance rates with a company that calculates driving history from age 16 and the driver happens to be 21 when they apply for a policy. This is something to take into consideration when you shop around for an insurance carrier.

There are factors that can increase your car insurance costs regardless of age. If you’re a city dweller, expect to pay more for car insurance than if you lived in the country. If you got a thing for sports car, it’ll cost you in insurance costs. Sports cars are considered high-risk vehicles, while SUVs and sedans are not, thus the latter cost less to insure. The more you drive your vehicle, the more you might pay in insurance.

The time most people start driving is also a good time to start building, or re-establishing, good credit.
When insurance underwriters see a high credit score, they know they can expect timely premiums payments and not have to worry about cancellations or non-renewals because of non-payment.

Most first-time drivers start out driving cars that are a few years old. Older cars do not need full coverage, so you may want to consider only buying liability coverage, which can save you a few hundred dollars. Dropping comprehensive/collision is not an option if you’re buying or leasing a new car, but you can opt to pay a much higher deductible to lower your premiums.

Getting the cheapest car insurance rates for first-time drivers may not be a possibility, but you may qualify for discounts on your car insurance. Discounts for anti-theft devices, air bags and anti-lock brakes; completing a defensive driving or driver safety course; good student discounts; low-mileage discounts; and multiple-vehicle discounts are some of the discounts you should inquire about with prospective agents.