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  • The average motor premium is now 5.5% higher than 12 months ago 
  • In the last three months alone, prices have increased 2.8%

Amidst the current public health crisis and global pandemic, premiums continue to accelerate in the motor insurance market, with prices rising 2.8% in the last 3 months, totalling a 5.5% increase in the last year, according to the latest figures from data insight specialist, Consumer Intelligence.

Despite the recent economic repercussions of the coronavirus outbreak, it is claims costs that are driving the continued upward trend. With today’s car becoming ever more hi-tech – newer cars are more expensive to repair than older models – the cost of each claim is steadily rising, according to the Association of British Insurers.

Another factor driving premiums skyward is the impact that’s still being felt from last year’s Ogden rate adjustment, forcing insurers to pay higher compensation payouts to accident victims.

“Motor pricing is currently being steered by rising claims costs and the continued knock-on effect of the Ogden changes,” says John Blevins, pricing expert at Consumer Intelligence. “However, current events could lead to further premium increases, with the financial hit insurers will be taking to their investment businesses.

“The recent reduction of interest rates to 0.1% will also cause pressure on the bottom lines of insurers. This may manifest itself as increased insurance premiums in the coming weeks and months. Time will tell.

“Existing customers will have their premiums locked in but new business and renewal customers during this period may feel the pinch.”


Age differences

The average car insurance premium now sits at £829. Whilst the under 25s continue to pay the highest premiums (an average of £1,795), this age group has seen the smallest increase – just 0.7% in the last 12 months. The over-50s (7.4%) and 25-49s (6.2%) witnessed much bigger hikes. However, their average premiums are still somewhat cheaper at £402 and £693, respectively.

“It’s a two-speed marketplace,” says Blevins. “Large-scale price increases are not being felt across the board.”


Telematics

Uptake of ‘black box’ car insurance is up slightly in the last month. A fifth of the cheapest quotes now involve telematics policies, where drivers agree to install technology in their vehicles to monitor their driving skills in a bid to cut premium costs. However, take-up is still low in the older age groups.

Just 3% of the top five cheapest car insurance quotes for the over-50s come from telematics brands. This rises slightly to 14% for 25-49 year-olds. It’s a different story for younger drivers aged under 25. Almost two-thirds (61%) of the cheapest quotes for these motorists are telematics products.

“Up until now, telematics has continued to keep generic premiums hikes at bay for the under 25s,” says Blevins. “However, under new lockdown conditions enforced to flatten the curve of the coronavirus outbreak, a number of insurers are hitting pause on offering telematics policies to new customers due to installation challenges. As a result, we could see the average premium for the under-25s rise over the coming weeks and months.”

 

Regional differences

The West Midlands (8%) continues to attract the highest premium rises of any region, with Scotland (7.6%) and London (7.4%) following closely behind. All regions saw premiums increase over the last 12 months.

London remains the most expensive place for car insurance – a typical policy costing £1,269. At less than half this, the South West (£601) maintains its title as the cheapest region to insure a car despite witnessing price rises of 5.6% in the last year.

“Claims experience and localised crime rates tend to influence regional pricing,” says Blevins.

 

Car insurance premiums across the UK

Region Price change seen over the last 12 months
(Feb19 – Feb 20)
Price Index
Last 3 months
(Nov 2019 – Feb 20)
Feb 2019
Average Premium
(5 cheapest)
W Midlands 8.0% 2.8% £888
Scotland 7.6% 3.6% £651
London 7.4% 3.2% £1269
E Midlands 7.3% 3.9% £906
Wales 6.6% 3.8% £660
SW 5.6% 3.5% £601
NE 5.0% 2.5% £648
NW 5.0% 2.2% £1,073
Eastern 4.1% 3.0% £619
Yorks&Humb 4.0% 3.6% £778
SE -2.3% 0.8% £662

 


Car Insurance Price Index [free to download]

Download our Car Insurance Price Index to gain insight into market movements, benchmark the major van insurance brands and help you understand the data behind the results. 

 

DOWNLOAD INDEX

 


 

Ends 

 

Notes to Editors 
1.The cheapest premiums were calculated by comparing the prices offered for 3,600 people by all the major Price Comparison Sites and key direct insurers. The top 5 prices for each person were compared to the previous month’s top 5, then these variations averaged to produce the index.   

 

 

For further information, please contact: 
Consumer Intelligence 
Catherine Carey 
PR & Communications Manager 
07823 790453 

 

About Consumer Intelligence 

Consumer Intelligence is data analytics company that helps businesses execute great customer strategies. For 16 years the company has been benchmarking the insurance market and retail banks in the UK and beyond. The unique combination of benchmark data, consumer research and extensive experience has helped some of the world’s major brands focus on delivering better services to customers and improving their own business performance as a result. For more information, visit the website www.consumerintelligence.com  

 

  

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