Car insurance rockets by almost £100 in one year

CAR insurance has soared by an average of nearly £100 this year, figures revealed yesterday.

And motoring cover is now 12 per cent higher than it was just four months ago.

Consumer website MoneySuperMarket analysed 873,000 customer quotes during November and found annual premiums are now £597 on average, almost £100 more expensive than they were at the start of 2016.

Premiums have increased steadily during 2016 but there have been sharp rises in the past few months. In August the average premium was £525, rising to £549 in September, £572 in October and £597 in November – a four per cent rise in just one month.

Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: ‘Motorists won’t be feeling much Christmas cheer when they read the news that car insurers are bumping up premiums by almost 12 per cent a year.

‘Alongside reports that petrol prices are heading back towards £1.20 a litre, it’s a punishing time for the nation’s wallets and purses. It’s important for every motorist approaching renewal to run a quote to find the best price for their next year’s policy.’