Britain motorists have suffered an average year-on-year rise of 12.3 per cent in the cost of their comprehensive motor insurance. This adds up to an average £92 jump in the last 12 months.
North England has the biggest annual price hikes. As of quarter three 2011, Bradford has suffered a 27.5% year-on-year rise in the cost of average comprehensive cover and Oldham has fared even worse with a 27.9% year-on-year increase. Liverpool and Manchester have also seen insurance prices driven up significantly as has the Ilford area of Essex.
Third party, fire and theft (TPFT) customers have not gone unscathed however, suffering an annual rise of 19.9%, equating to an increase of £192 over 12 months.
This rise of 12.3% year-on-year is especially significant when compared to the Consumer Price Index – a measure of inflation – which currently stands at 4.5% making the rises in car insurance prices almost three times as high as inflation in the UK. The national average comprehensive car insurance premium currently stands at £843.
Top 5 UK areas with the highest annual premium rises year-on-year, based on the Confused.com/Towers Watson Car Insurance Price Index
| Postcode area | Annual percentage change | Average premium, private car comprehensive | Quarterly change |
| Oldham | 27.9% | £1437 | 3.1% |
| Bradford | 27.5% | £1394 | 1.7% |
| Liverpool | 26.8% | £1383 | 2.5% |
| Manchester | 26.6% | £1361 | 2.2% |
| Ilford | 23.7% | £1510 | 1.9% |
This table is based on a statistically reliable number of quotes.
5 UK areas with the lowest annual premium rises year-on-year
| Postcode area | Annual percentage change | Average premium, private car comprehensive | Quarterly change |
| Perth | 0.3% | £564 | -1.2% |
| Kirkwall | 0.8% | £620 | 2.2% |
| Motherwell | 2.2% | £694 | -5.9% |
| Dumfries | 2.4% | £580 | -5.1% |
| Edinburgh | 2.5% | £608 | -5.6% |
This table is based on a statistically reliable number of quotes.
Despite the year-on-year hikes, there is some good news for drivers as the average price of a comprehensive car insurance policy fell by 1.6% in the third quarter of 2011: the first quarterly decrease for over three years.
Source : Confused.com
