Buying car insurance is a chore at any age, but extra hard for the under 25s, who have to contend with some of the highest quotes going. The good news is that young drivers can make significant savings by following a few simple guidelines:

Shop around: A few hours comparing deals online can save you hundreds of pounds whether you are renewing or buying for the first time. Comparison websites, such as Confused.com, uSwitch.com and moneysupermarket.com, are a good starting point. Also check Direct Line, Churchill and Tesco, which do not feed their quotes to comparison sites. Make the effort every year – the best deals change month by month. Richard Mason, of Moneysupermarket, says that Quinn-direct, Swiftcover and the Post Office are currently offering good deals for younger drivers.

Quote massage: Your job could have more than one description. For example, a “solicitor” is also a “lawyer”. Testing different legitimate job descriptions, or "quote massaging", when you apply for cover could save you tens or hundreds of pounds.

Add a second named driver: Mr Mason says that adding an older second named driver – one of your parents, for instance – to your policy could save you a further 15 per cent. There is no need for this person to ever drive your car.

Don’t pimp your ride: Research from BeatThatQuote.com, a comparison website, indicates that modifying your car – lowering the suspension or adding a rear spoiler, for instance – could add up to 171 per cent to the cost of cover.

DO protect your ride: Insurers bump up prices if they think your car is vulnerable. If possible, park your car in a garage or, failing that, driveway. Also install a Thatcham-approved alarm and immobiliser.

Don’t claim under £500: Most claims knock two years off your no-claims discount – wiping out very substantial savings of up to 70 per cent in your policy price. Mr Mason advises drivers to avoid claiming for any damage under £500.

Consider bundled insurance: Some new cars come with free insurance for a year or more. This could be a significant selling point for young drivers. But don’t fall into the trap of renewing the bundled cover when it expires without comparing deals. And note that Mr Mason says: "Free cover usually comes with outgoing-model cars makers can't get rid off."

Take a course: Completing a Pass Plus course could cut your premiums – sometimes by 30 per cent or more, covering the course’s cost of around £100 to £150.

For many more tips – which apply to all drivers – see:

Times Money’s Andrew Ellson’s guide to getting the best car insurance deals

uSwitch’s guide

Moneysupermarket’s guide

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