Young drivers are being encouraged to shop around for car insurance following the news that a number of providers have ceased to cover them.

The Association of British Insurers explained that the reason behind the move was that young drivers are more likely to have an accident and thus lodge a claim.

Malcolm Tarling, spokesperson for the organisation, commented that claims cost a lot and therefore firms cannot afford to offer higher-risk drivers cover.

According to road safety charity Brake, young drivers have a higher probability of being involved in a collision.

Government figures show that in 2004, 151 drivers aged between 16 and 19 were killed in Great Britain.

Mr Tarling continued: "You cannot get away from the fact that you have to charge a premium to reflect the risk and for some insurers - not all, but some - they will find that risk is just so high."

The government should introduce an effort to improve younger drivers' risk on the roads, he added, claiming a law ensuring motorists must learn for a minimum of one year would assist in this.

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