Our car insurance expert, Rebecca Goodman, breaks down whether the type of transmission you choose could help you cut your costs with this look at manual vs. automatic car insurance.
Lots of things affect car insurance prices and when insurers work out a premium, they bundle all these elements together.
It’s not exactly rocket science, but it is quite a delicate balance putting together things like a driver’s age, job, and address with other elements such as the type of car, how old it is, and whether it has an automatic or manual gearbox.
This last part is what we’re going to examine in a little more detail here, to find out if the type of transmission you have, manual or automatic, and if you have a full or automatic driving licence can make a difference to how much you pay for your insurance premium.
What’s the difference between an automatic and a manual car?
Automatic cars are a little bit like go-carts, you turn them on, and then they do most of the work for you. Manual cars, on the other hand, need a little more help, at least when it comes to changing gears, which happens automatically with an automatic.
What is automatic car insurance?
In a nutshell, automatic car insurance is a type of insurance for an automatic car. It’s different to manual car insurance because each car has a different gearbox. If you’re driving an automatic car – you need to make sure your insurance covers it.
Are automatic cars more expensive to insure?
It’s hard to find a definitive answer on this one without analysing every single car insurance policy to work out exactly how the costs differ. But, on the whole, most experts agree that automatic car insurance is more expensive than manual car insurance.
This is because automatic cars tend to be more expensive to repair, so if a claim is made this will cost an insurer more than if it was a manual car. However, technology is changing all the time and as electric cars, most of which are automatic, become more popular, these costs are likely to come down.
It’s also important to remember that while automatic cars are typically more expensive to insure in the UK, there are lots of things that affect the cost of insurance, including:
- Your age, address, and profession
- Your car, its age, model, and history
- The insurance group your car is in
- The level of insurance cover you choose – and if you buy any add-ons
- Your driving experience and if you have made a claim in the past
Is it cheaper to insure an automatic car with a full UK driving licence or an automatic driving licence?
On average it’s usually cheaper to insure an automatic car if you have a full driving licence – instead of an automatic-only licence. That’s because it’s another factor insurers add to the mix when they work out the risk of you making a claim. They may see you as a higher risk because you don’t have a full licence.
Can I drive an automatic car with my manual licence?
Yes, if you have a manual licence, you can drive an automatic car. It will take a little getting used to as there’s no need to change the gears but there are no rules to say you can’t (and you might even find it easier to drive).
Automatic vs. manual – which is the best choice for me?
Choosing between an automatic and a manual car is a completely personal choice. However, if you have an automatic-only driving licence, you won’t be able to drive a manual car.
If you have a full licence, and you’re deciding between the two, it’s worth considering the cost of cover. Look at how much the car will cost to insure and factor this into your overall budget. Don’t forget that while young drivers pay the highest costs on average for insurance, there are lots of ways you can cut the cost.
