– The average price of car insurance in Scotland increased by £32 (5%) in 12 months with motorists now paying £646, on average –
- Central Scotland sees the steepest increase, with car insurance costs climbing by £43 (7%) year-on-year.
- Car insurance prices in the Scottish regions see the steepest increase in more than 12 months.
- Scottish drivers are as little as £34 away from paying the most expensive car insurance prices on record for their region.
- Further research finds two in five (43%) drivers saw their renewal price increase by £42, on average, as one in four (26%) are confused about why the cost of their car insurance is increasing.
- Confused.com urges drivers to shop around as the average price of car insurance in the UK increased £37 (5%) year-on-year to £789.
It’s bad news for drivers in Scotland as the cost of car insurance in the region increased by more than £30 in 12 months.
According to new figures, the price of car insurance in Scotland increased by £32 (5%) in the past year, meaning drivers in the region can now expect to pay £646, on average. This is also £24 (4%) more expensive than three months ago. That’s according to Confused.com’s latest car insurance price index, powered by Willis Towers Watson. Based on more than six million quotes a quarter, it’s the most comprehensive car insurance price index in the UK.
Drivers in Central Scotland have been hit hardest by these increases, with prices in the region climbing by £43 (7%) over the past 12 months. This means drivers in the region can expect to pay £681 for their car insurance, on average, which is more than any other region in Scotland.
Meanwhile, prices in the Scottish Highlands and Islands have picked up the pace, having increased by £28 (5%) in the past three months. This brings the average price of a policy in the region to £630.
Car insurance price changes in Scotland – Q2 June 2019
| Region | Average price | Annual increase | Quarterly increase | ||||
| Central Scotland | £681 | £43 (7%) | £18 (3%) | ||||
| Highlands and Islands | £630 | £19 (3%) | £28 (5%) | ||||
| East & North East Scotland | £601 | £24 (4%) | £15 (2%) | ||||
| Scottish Borders | £582 | £11 (2%) | £3 (1%) |
These increases across the board mean car insurance prices in Scotland are edging closer to the most expensive on record.
Motorists in East and North East Scotland pay just £34 less than the highest price recorded by Confused.com’s car insurance price index. Meanwhile, prices in Central Scotland and the Highlands and Islands are just £36 and £38 cheaper than the most expensive recorded for the region, respectively. At the current rates of increase these Scottish regions could all be paying the most they’ve ever paid for comprehensive car insurance by the end of the year.
Drivers with many years of experience may feel particularly disheartened by these increases, as they might expect the cost of their car insurance to decrease overtime. However, these figures certainly suggest that the cost of car insurance doesn’t always get cheaper with experience.
It’s no wonder one in four (26%) Scottish drivers are confused why the cost of their car insurance is increasing. And while some might believe loyalty pays, further research conducted by Confused.com proves this isn’t the case. According to the survey, more than two in five (43%) drivers in Scotland said their insurer had increased their renewal price by £42, on average. Worryingly, half (50%) of these motorists went on to renew with their same insurer, despite their price increasing.
This is why Confused.com urges drivers to shop around, even if their renewal price has dropped, or increased only slightly, as there’s still the opportunity to make substantial savings. To further incentivise drivers to seek out a better deal, Confused.com is giving them the chance to save even more by guaranteeing to beat their car insurance renewal price, or give them the difference, plus £20(1).
Overall, it’s not just Scotland where prices have started to accelerate. The average price of car insurance in the UK increased by £37 (5%) over the past 12 months, meaning the average premium now costs £789. This is the first annual increase and most expensive price in 18 months.
While all Scottish regions have faced an increase in car insurance prices, there are areas where men are paying significantly more than women. The biggest difference lies in the Scottish Highlands and Islands where the price for men has reached £661, and £590 for women – a £71 difference. On the other end of the scale, there’s a smaller difference in prices between men and women in the Scottish Borders, where men pay £594 and women pay £567, in comparison(2).
Looking to local areas in Scotland, drivers in Kirkcaldy have been hit hardest by the latest increases, where the price of car insurance climbed by a whopping £60 (11%) in the past 12 months. Drivers in the area now pay £584 for car insurance, on average.
Similarly, car insurance costs in Paisley increased at a similar rate, with prices now £58 (10%) more expensive than this time last year. This means the average price of car insurance in the area now costs £668, on average.
Meanwhile, drivers in the Hebrides have been hit with more recent price hikes, with prices now £96 (15%) more expensive compared to three months ago. This takes the average price of insurance for drivers in the area to £743.
But these aren’t the most expensive prices in Scotland for car insurance: Glasgow tops the list, where drivers can expect to pay an eye-watering £746 for their car insurance, on average.
However, some drivers in Scotland may welcome paying these prices, as younger drivers face car insurance premiums upwards of £2,000. In particular, 17- to 20-year-old male drivers in Central Scotland pay £2,152 on average. Those of the same age in the Scottish Highlands and Islands pay a similar price of £2,022, on average.
But hit hardest this quarter were 17- to 20-year-old female drivers in Central Scotland, who saw the steepest annual increase. Prices for these drivers accelerated by an eye-watering £124 (9%) in 12 months, and £78 (5%) in three months, to £1,553.
Meanwhile, drivers approaching retirement will be pleased to know they have the cheapest premiums, with 66- to 70-year-old female drivers in the Scottish Highlands paying just £272 for their annual car insurance. Women of the same age in the East and North East pay slightly more, at just £277, while men in the same demographic pay £291, in comparison.
While car insurance prices are on the rise in Scotland, drivers will breathe a sigh of relief as the sting of other motoring costs starts to ease. Fuel, in particular, is getting cheaper following a sharp increase earlier this year. Since May, the average price of petrol in the UK has dropped by 5p per litre, while diesel prices slump by 2p. Confused.com’s fuel price index(3) shows that petrol now costs 127p per litre, and 131p for diesel. But while prices are dropping for now, recent trends suggest the cost of fuel could soon accelerate, leaving motorists with another expensive burden.
Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com comments: “We hate to be the bearer of bad news but it seems car insurance prices across Scotland are really starting to accelerate. In fact, we’re seeing some of the steepest price hikes in 12 months.
“We should be shopping around for the best deal, whether we are a new driver or renewing for the tenth year, as there’s always another insurer out there willing to offer us a better deal. At Confused.com, we’re so certain drivers will be able to find a better price than their current insurer that we’re offering to beat their renewal quote, or give them the difference, plus £20(1).
“Please don’t pay more than you have to – take a few minutes to check your renewal letter and get a cheaper price.”
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