How Much Does Driving Instructor Insurance Cost?

Whether you're an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), Potential Driving Instructor (PDI) or run a driving school, insurers will consider a range of factors when calculating your premium.

What affects the cost of driving instructor insurance?

Several factors can influence how much you pay for your driving instructor insurance, including:

Every instructor is different, so two people with similar vehicles may still receive different quotes.

Does being an ADI or PDI affect the cost?

It can. ADIs and PDIs have different circumstances and experience levels, which insurers may take into consideration when calculating a premium.

If you're a PDI, it's important to provide accurate information about your current instructor status when getting a quote. Your circumstances may also change when you qualify as an ADI, so it's worth checking whether your policy needs to be updated.

Does the type of car affect driving instructor insurance?

Yes. The vehicle you use for your lessons can have an impact on your premium.

Factors such as the car's make, model, age, value, engine size and repair costs may all be considered by insurers. The vehicle's suitability for driving tuition can also be relevant, particularly if it has been fitted with dual controls.

If you're considering changing your tuition vehicle, it's worth checking how the change could affect your insurance before making a decision.

Does mileage affect the cost?

Your annual mileage can be an important factor because driving instructors typically spend more time on the road than private motorists.

Think about how many lessons you provide each week, how far you travel between pupils and how much personal driving you do when estimating your annual mileage.

Providing an inaccurate mileage estimate could affect your policy, so it's important to give your insurer accurate information.

Does having points affect the price?

Driving convictions and penalty points can affect the cost of your insurance, although the impact will depend on the circumstances.

If you have points on your licence, you should declare them when obtaining a quote and provide accurate information about the offence and when it occurred.

Having driving convictions does not necessarily mean you cannot obtain driving instructor insurance, but it can affect the insurers available to you and the premium you're offered.

Does my claims history affect the cost?

Your previous claims history can also be taken into account when insurers calculate your premium.

The number and type of claims you've made, as well as when they occurred, may influence the price you're quoted.

This is one reason why maintaining a good claims history where possible can be beneficial, although making a claim when you need to is important if you have an insured loss.

Can a no-claims discount reduce the cost?

A no-claims discount (NCD) can help reduce the cost of insurance where an insurer offers one and you meet its eligibility requirements.

The way NCD is earned, recognised and applied can vary between insurers, so it's important to check how your existing no-claims history will be treated when changing policies.

Does the level of cover affect the price?

The level of cover you choose can affect the premium.

Depending on your circumstances and what is available, you may be able to choose between different levels of motor insurance cover. You may also want to consider additional products or protections that could be relevant to your work as a driving instructor.

However, the cheapest policy isn't necessarily the most suitable. It's important to check that the policy provides the cover you need for how you use your vehicle.

Is driving instructor insurance more expensive than normal car insurance?

Driving instructor insurance can cost more than a standard private car insurance policy because the vehicle is being used for professional driving tuition.

A driving instructor may spend many hours on the road and have learner drivers using the vehicle, which can create different risks from ordinary personal use.

However, there is no standard price difference. The cost will depend on your circumstances and the policy available to you.

You should also never use a standard private car policy for paid driving instruction unless the policy specifically allows it. Always check that your insurance covers the way you intend to use your vehicle.

How can I reduce the cost of driving instructor insurance?

While you cannot control every factor that affects your premium, there are some things you can consider when looking for competitively priced cover:

It's important not to reduce your cover simply to achieve a lower premium. The cheapest policy may not provide the protection you need as a driving instructor.

How can I find out how much my driving instructor insurance will cost?

Because premiums are based on individual circumstances, the most accurate way to find out how much your driving instructor insurance could cost is to obtain a quote.

At BG Insurance, we specialise in insurance for driving instructors and can help you compare your options based on your circumstances.