There is "no getting away" from the fact that young drivers pay more for their car insurance but there are things people can do to minimise costs, according to one expert.

Malcolm Tarling, specialist in general insurance from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), said young people ought to consider the type of car they plan to buy.

There is little point buying an expensive car that they cannot afford to run, the expert commented.

Car insurance companies place vehicles into categories depending on their price and the cost of spare parts, so it is worth taking this into consideration when making a purchase, Mr Tarling asserted.

Advising young drivers on the best way of obtaining car insurance quotes, he said: "Shop around, you will find that even for young drivers it is a competitive market."

There are currently a range of policies available on the market, he added.

Keith Maxwell, head of products at More Than, recently told the Independent that young motorists often pay more than £1,500 for car insurance.