Warning on car insurance costs

CAR insurance premiums have become slightly cheaper for consumers who shop around to get the best quote, but the decreases are unlikely to last long, a study has found.

The “shoparound” quote for comprehensive cover dropped by 1.1 per cent in the first quarter of this year to reach £1,132, the AA British Insurance Premium Index found.

Over the year to 31 March, the shoparound index rose by 7.7 per cent, the smallest annual increase since 2008.

From December, insurers will no longer be able to use gender to calculate premiums. The latest figures indicate they are already starting to adjust their prices.