Inexperienced drivers more than twice as likely to make a claim, new data reveals

New data from leading insurer, Aviva, reveals that inexperienced drivers are more than twice as likely to make a claim in their first year of driving, compared to motorists who have driven for more than a year.^[1]

According to the data, new drivers are more than twice as likely^[1] to make a collision claim in their first year (11%) than more experienced drivers (5%), based on data comparing QuoteMeHappy Connect telematics policies with standard Aviva policies.^[1]

Data also shows that telematics helps inexperienced drivers improve their driving safety more quickly than standard policies.^[2]  Through personalised feedback and driving insights, new drivers develop safer habits over time, resulting in a near 50% reduction in collision claims, compared with almost 30% among new motorists on standard policies.^[1]

Owen Morris, CEO UK Personal Lines, Aviva, said: “Sadly, too many people are seriously injured or killed on our roads every year through driving inexperience and poorer driving behaviours involving young drivers. While numbers have fallen, that number is still too high, leaving families devastated at the loss of loved ones. Action needs to be taken to make our roads safer, not just for young drivers, but also vulnerable road users and other motorists who may be involved in accidents where a younger person is driving.

“The data shows there is an increased likelihood of accidents in the early stages of driving and telematics policies can help support new drivers in their highest-risk period. Driving behaviour can improve, which in turn helps to reduce accidents, not only for younger drivers but also passengers and other road users. Crucially, the number of accidents involving serious injury is reduced when a telematics policy is in place.

“By monitoring when, where and how people are driving, telematics can act as a ‘virtual coach’, providing advice on improving riskier behaviours, incentivising safer driving and helping to reduce premiums. Importantly, telematics can provide reassurance to young motorists and their families, particularly when they are driving alone or at night.

“While other measures, such as progressive licences, could improve driving in inexperienced motorists, we’d encourage Government to consider making telematics policies a legal requirement for young people during their first year of driving. Additional measures, including exempting young driver telematics policies from Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) in the first driving year, could also help make insurance more accessible and affordable.”

Despite accounting for only 7%^[5] of all UK licence holders, Government data shows that younger drivers are disproportionately represented in serious or fatal collisions. In 2024, one in seven (15%)^[4] car driver fatalities were younger drivers and young male drivers aged 17-24 are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured on UK roads, compared with drivers aged 25 or over.

Inexperienced driving also causes injury to other road users. In 2024^[4], 4,740 people were killed or seriously injured in car collisions involving a young driver (those aged between 17-24), equivalent to a fifth of all collisions.

Government data^[4] also shows that younger drivers are more likely to take risks than other motorists. Aggressive driving, driving too fast for conditions and speeding were more likely to be a factor in fatal or serious collisions involving young drivers than other motorists.^[4]

These factors are borne out by Aviva’s own telematics data. QuoteMeHappy Connect provides customers with a weekly driver rating – red, amber, green or gold - according to their driving behaviour, with red scores reflecting worst behaviours and gold being the best. A fifth of drivers with Aviva telematics policies have received a ‘red’ score during the period of their insurance. In almost three quarters of cases (70%), drivers received these scores mostly due to harsh acceleration, braking and cornering.^[3]

However, following personalised advice on how to improve their driving, over half of drivers (52%) with a telematics policy show improvements in their driving behaviour and don’t go on to receive another red rating.^[3]

Telematics policies typically monitor several driving behaviours, including cornering, accelerating, braking, speeding and distracted driving. Aviva’s data shows that these policies not only help to reduce the severity of accidents but can also have a positive impact on the number of driving incidents more generally.

A separate survey among 2,202 motorists found that awareness and support for telematics policies is strong. Over four fifths (83%)^[6] of drivers are aware of telematics policies, and almost three quarters (73%) believe telematics policies should be mandatory for young drivers – something three fifths (60%) of 17-24-year-olds themselves agree with.

Owen Morris continued: “Reducing accidents, particularly the number of incidents involving serious injury, could also help to reduce premiums for young drivers. As the government consults on road safety, we’d urge them to consider making telematics a central part of new driver education and training. Making our roads safer for everyone and supporting young drivers must be a priority.”

How does a telematics policy work?

Telematics policies typically monitor several driving behaviours, connecting a dashboard or in-car device with an app.

Although this depends on the insurer, generally a telematics device will record:

• speed, how fast you drive
• braking, how harshly you brake
• cornering, how fast you turn a corner
• when and where you drive, including road type and miles driven
• distracted driving – mobile phone use

Aviva provides telematics policies through its QuoteMeHappy Connect policy. Driving behaviour is monitored through a dashboard device linked to an app which monitors driving and gives motorists a personalised renewal price and regular rewards – simply for driving safely. Examples of rewards include coffees and vouchers for high street brands.

-ends-

References:

^1. _{Analysis of collision claims for Aviva standard motor policies and QuoteMeHappy Connect telematics policies, comparing drivers in their first year of driving with motorists with one or more year’s motoring experience. From January 2023 to March 2025. [↑]}

^2. _{Inexperienced (0 years licence length) drivers reduce their claims frequency 48% with telematics v 28% without telematics = 70% more in relative terms, between the first 3 months of their policy (0-3) v last 3 months (9-12). [↑]}

^3. _{Analysis of QuoteMeHappy Connect driving behaviour scores January 2023 to March 2026. [↑]}

^4. _{Reported road casualties in Great Britain: younger driver factsheet, 2024 - GOV.UK [↑]}

^5. _{100+ Young Driver Insurance Statistics - Uswitch [↑]}

^6. _{Research commissioned by Aviva and conducted by Censuswide among 2,202 car owners who drive (17+), including 250 aged 17-24. Data collected between 8.1.26 – 19.1.26. [↑]}

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