Tag: car insurance

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Savings to be made for Scottish drivers as insurance premiums drop

  • Scottish motorists can now expect to pay £616 for their car insurance, as prices for new policies drop by £26 (4%) in 12 months
  • More than three quarters (77%) of UK drivers who received their car insurance renewal in the past three months saw their price increase by £44, on average, according to research.
  • Expert report reveals how consumers are being affected by the loyalty penalty, which has cost consumers £1.2bn, according to investigations by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Competitions and Market Authority (CMA).
  • Drivers in the Central Scotland benefitted from the biggest savings, as car insurance prices dropped by £30 (4%) in the region in last 12 months.
  • Motorists in Central Scotland forking out most for car insurance, with the average premium costing £649
  • Drivers in Scotland are being urged to shop around as the price of buying a new car insurance policy has dropped by £26, on average – but insurers have been ramping up the cost of renewals, new research finds.

The average price of a new car insurance policy for drivers across Scotland is now £616, on average. That’s a decrease of 3% – or £20 – in the last three months, and of 4% (£26) in the last 12 months – meaning those who shopped around would’ve benefitted from this saving.

That’s according to the latest car insurance price index by Confused.com (Q3 2020), powered by Willis Towers Watson. Based on more than six million quotes per quarter, it’s the most comprehensive new business price index in the UK.

For some Scottish drivers, the savings are even greater than this. Motorists in Central Scotland in particular will have seen their car insurance price drop by £30 (4%) on average, when shopping around.

This brings the average cost in the region to £649, making it the most expensive of the four Scottish regions.

Similarly, prices in the Scottish Highlands and Islands fell by £29 (5%) year-on-year, meaning drivers in the region are now paying £594 for their car insurance, on average. It’s a similar picture for the other Scottish regions, with prices in the Scottish Borders decreasing by £27 (5%), and £14 (2%) in the East and North East.

Drivers in these regions can now expect to pay £554 and £583 for their car insurance, respectively, on average.

However, further research by Confused.com found that loyal customers aren’t seeing these savings, but instead are being penalised for their loyalty. In a Confused.com survey of 2,000 UK motorists(1), more than three quarters (77%) of those who received their car insurance renewal in the past three months (July – September 2020) saw their price increase by £44, on average.

The data comes as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) released its proposal to put a stop to renewal price hikes, or otherwise known as the ‘loyalty penalty’(2). According to the investigation, initiated by Citizens Advice and the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA), this has cost consumers £1.2bn(2) when opting to automatically renew their insurance or service, as providers apply price increases after their initial term.

But now, the FCA has proposed measures which means insurers must offer renewing customers the same price as if they were a new customer. Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, warns that the new measures being proposed does not mean drivers will never get a more expensive price for their car insurance.

The proposed ruling, which is expected to come into force from July 2021, simply prohibits insurers from calculating a price based on whether the customer is a new customer or a renewal customer. But an insurer could still review the way prices are calculated at any time, which means prices for some customers could still increase year-on-year.

According to Ms O’Shea, the only way for customers to truly know if they’re getting the best price available to them is to shop around, as there’s likely to be an insurer offering a better deal. 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(4).

Worryingly, nearly one in four (23%) UK drivers will always automatically renew with their current insurance or utility provider without checking if they can get a better price, according to Confused.com’s research.

In fact, nearly two in five (38%) know they could be getting a better deal elsewhere. And it’s these habits that have caused people to fall victim to the loyalty penalty and overpay for insurance products or other services for many years.

To explore the issue in more detail, Confused.com has created an expert report into consumer loyalty, which looks at how people are loyal to their providers, and how much this has potentially cost them.

While most drivers in Scotland have saved money on their car insurance this past quarter, some will seen some very significant savings. In particular, the cost of car insurance in the Hebrides fell by £80 (12%) since last year, while Shetland motorists are seeing the biggest quarterly price drops, worth £98 (15%), on average.

Drivers in these areas are now paying £582 and £560 for their car insurance, respectively, on average. In Central Scotland, drivers in Motherwell saw the biggest decrease in prices, and are now paying £52 (8%) less year-on-year, with the average premium costing £649. Kirkaldy in the East and North East of Scotland has seen annual decreases of £28 (5%) with the average price of car insurance in the area now £557.

Despite recent price drops, some drivers in Scotland are paying more for their car insurance than others – particularly male motorists. While quarterly savings are fairly matched between the genders, female drivers appear to be benefitting more year-on-year.

In particular, women in Central Scotland can save £33 (5%), while men in the region are only able to save £27 (4%), on average – taking the gap between the sexes to £62, with females paying £615 and males £677, on average.

It’s a similar story in the Highlands and Islands, where women can make savings of £30 (5%) since 12 months ago, paying £553, whereas men are only saving £28 (4%), paying £625 on average, bringing the gap to £72.

While in the East and North East, women are looking at savings of £17 (3%), whereas men can save £13 (2%) since the previous year – making the gap £61, with women paying £548 and men paying £609, on average.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s younger drivers who are faced with the steepest car insurance costs, despite price drops in the region. In particular, male drivers aged 17-20 in all four regions are paying the most. In Central Scotland, motorists of this age can now expect to pay an eye-watering £2,022 for their car insurance, on average, despite premium costs dropping by £103 (5%) since three months ago. In comparison, younger female drivers in the same area now pay £1,475, on average.

These price drops are reflected across the rest of the UK, where motorists can now expect to pay £765 for their car insurance, as prices for new policies drop by £18 (2%) in 12 months, on average.

And shopping around in the next few months could result in great savings for drivers. At the end of 2019 (Q4), the average price of car insurance accelerated from £783 to £815 (£32, 4%) in the space of three months – one of the steepest quarterly price increases in more than two years.

This means drivers who bought their car insurance between October and December last year were paying some of the highest prices seen in two years. But, even if prices remained flat between now and the end of the year, buying a new policy in the next three months could result in a saving of £50, on average.

This is the second consecutive quarter where car insurance prices have fallen year-on-year, which coincides with the start of the UK lockdown in late-March.

Since then, circumstances have changed for millions of drivers across the UK, with nearly half (48%) claiming to have used their car less since the lockdown began.

And according to Confused.com data, the average annual mileage travelled has dropped by 4% between those who bought their car in the past three months, compared to the beginning of the year. This equates to millions fewer miles being driven per year. And it is this drop in traffic levels, and consequently risks of accidents, which is perhaps one reason for why the cost of car insurance has dropped over the last six months.

Lockdown also saw a huge surge in the number of people applying for a SORN, and new car sales plummeted, meaning insurers had to compete and adjust their pricing in order to attract the small number of drivers who were looking for insurance during this period.

However, while the UK is facing further lockdown restrictions, some sense of normality has resumed for some drivers, as people return to work and start to drive their car more often, and new car sales have also started to pick up gradually. It’s likely that car insurance costs will return to the upwards trend we saw before the coronavirus pandemic, but at what pace remains to be seen.

While the cost of car insurance is cheaper now for most drivers, it’s clear not everyone is off the hook, which proves the importance of shopping around to find the best deal.

Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, says: “The FCA announcing measures to stop insurers pricing renewing customers unfairly was bound to come as good news to drivers.

“For too long, people have been penalised for staying loyal, and that shouldn’t be the case. However, it’s so important to understand that this doesn’t mean they’re getting the best price available to them in the market.”

Low emission vehicle sales soar 30% during lockdown – while vehicle registrations plummet

New vehicle registrations fell by 67% from April to June 2020, compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the Department for Transport.

By contrast, 19,000 ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) were registered in Q2, an increase of 30% on Q2 2019.

ULEV registrations shot up as lockdown eased – 145% in June and 250% in July 2020 compared to the same time in 2019 – making up nearly 8% of all new registrations with battery and electric car registrations doubling.

The rise of new registrations of alternative fuel cars was interrupted by the impact of coronavirus, with the first year on year decline in a quarter – down 13% – since 2011. However, with a total of 33,000 vehicles, more new alternative fuel cars were registered than new diesel cars for the first time. Diesel car registrations fell 81%, with petrol cars registration dropping by 72%, compared to the same period last year.

At the end of June there were 38.4 million licensed vehicles on Britain’s roads – a 0.9% drop  compared to the end of June 2019. This is only the consecutive decline in the total number of vehicles on the road since the end of the Second World War and the third drop in 75 years. New vehicle registration for April to June totalled 242,000.

UK lockdown hit vehicle dealerships hard with showrooms closing for the lockdown, which removed the main method by which new vehicles are sold. However there was welcome news for the industry in July, when a 12% increase in registrations was recorded compared to the same month last year, which is the first monthly increase since December.

Responding to the government’s newly published data Greg Wilson, founder of car insurance comparison website, Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “Even the worst post-war recessions haven’t inflicted such a devasting impact on the car industry. It’s welcome news that there are positive signs starting to emerge for manufacturers and dealerships.  

“It’s interesting to see low emission vehicle sales are beginning to surge with statistics showing they were the only vehicles to show an increase in registrations this quarter –  perhaps the dramatic effects of this year are driving a desire for a cleaner, greener lifestyle.

“Even the recent changes in working arrangements may have some contributing factors, with a decrease in long daily commutes to the office, and this has made low emission vehicles a viable option for more households, which only now need a car for shorter journeys.

“Whatever the reason behind this influx, the statistics suggest low emission vehicles are here to stay.”

Quotezone offers insurance quotes for a wide range of these vehicles so you can review the various additional benefits from each provider and choose the most competitive price or appropriate policy to suit your needs.

For more information visit https://www.quotezone.co.uk/car-insurance.  

Car insurance: It pays to shop around

The cost of car insurance across Scotland has increased in the past 12 months, new data reveals, proving it’s more important than ever for drivers to shop around for the best deal. The average price of car insurance in the region has accelerated by £47 (8%) in the past year to now stand at £674.

That’s according to the latest Confused.com car insurance price index, powered by Willis Towers Watson. Based on more than six million quotes every quarter, it’s the most comprehensive car insurance price index in the UK.

While this may not be the news that drivers want to hear at this time, further research offers some relief, revealing the potential savings to be made from shopping around and avoiding automatic renewals.

The research, conducted by Confused.com, found that nearly half (46%) of UK motorists saw their car insurance price increase. Of those who saw their insurance price increase, more than a third (37%) opted to shop around using a price comparison website and switch to a better deal, saving £59, on average.

Some drivers saw even bigger savings, with one in six (17%) finding a policy that was more than £100 cheaper than their original price.

Following the report of these increases, Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, highlights the importance of shopping around.

It’s important, now more so than ever, for drivers to take a closer look at the price they’re paying for insurance and see if there’s a better deal out there for them. And while automatically renewing may seem like the stress-free thing to do in the short-term, it could end up costing drivers more in the long run.

Those taking this option could be signing up to an annual policy that is potentially hundreds of pounds more expensive than other options out there.

Therefore, it’s crucial for drivers to be taking the time to check their renewal document and compare with the previous year’s price.

And even if prices are similar, or have dropped slightly, then there is still the opportunity to save money. 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.

Over the past 12 months, the cost of car insurance has increased across Scotland. However, some drivers have seen more significant changes in the price than others. According to Confused.com’s price index, motorists in Central Scotland have been hit hardest by the increases, with prices in the region accelerating by £53 (8%) in 12 months.

This is one of the steepest increases across the UK, in terms of percentages, bringing the average premium just £1 below the most expensive on record for the region. Drivers in Central Scotland can now expect to pay £716 for their car insurance, on average.

Similarly, prices have increased in the Scottish Borders, with the average cost of car insurance rising by £46 (8%) year-on-year. This is also among the highest percentage increases for all UK regions. This means drivers in the region are now paying £625 for their car insurance.

Meanwhile other regions in Scotland saw increases, with prices in the East and North East and the Highlands and Islands climbing by £42 (7%) and £38 (6%) respectively. Drivers in the East and North East now pay £628, while the average price in the Highlands and Islands reached £640 this past quarter.

It’s a similar picture across the rest of UK, with all regions facing increases year-on-year. Overall, the average premium for UK drivers increased by £47 (6%) to now sit at £809. Although, in the past three months alone, prices dipped by £6 (1%), on average.

However, despite a slight drop in price, the cost of car insurance is still at one of the highest points in more than two years. But what can drivers do to bring their price down? It can be easy for drivers to feel overwhelmed by the news of increasing car insurance costs and thinking there isn’t anything they can do to help bring them down.

However, this isn’t the case. According to Confused.com’s expert guide, there are several things drivers can do to reduce the price they pay for car insurance.

For example, drivers can cut back on their cost by paying annually where they can. While paying monthly is more convenient, it’s like taking out a small loan, which will usually carry interest on top of the initial price. And according to Confused.com data this can cost as much as 16% more than the annual price.

Another way for drivers to cut back on their car insurance costs is to more accurately estimate their mileage. While some may believe that opting for a lower annual mileage could offer a lower price, data suggests this isn’t always the case.

According the car insurance price index data from Confsued.com, motorists who drive between 10,000 and 11,000 miles per year pay £678 for their car insurance, on average. Meanwhile, those who drive between 8,00 and 9,000 pay £748, in comparison.

And the price increases as the mileage gets smaller. For example, motorist who claim to drive between 4,000 and 5,000 miles per year pay £860, on average. This is because, in the eyes of insurers, drivers who spend less time on the road could be considered as less experienced, and therefore a higher risk.

However, the key to benefitting from these savings is to make sure the information is accurate and correct, or drivers risk voiding their policy.

Confused.com’s expert advice also suggests that adding extra security devices or opting for black box insurance could also result in saving some money on car insurance policies.

And choosing the right type of cover could be key to cutting costs. While many drivers might be drawn to take out third party, fire and theft cover, believing it may be the cheapest option, this may not always be the case. In fact, the average price of these policies tends to be pushed up. This is because higher risk drivers are more likely to opt for this type of cover.

Some drivers across Scotland may feel more inclined to find ways to cut their costs, as some bear the brunt of the recent price increases more so than others.

Annual increases in prices in Edinburgh, Dumfries, and Kirkcaldy means drivers in these areas are now paying the most expensive on record.

A steep £75 (13%) rise in prices for drivers in Dumfries brings the average price of car insurance in the area to £650. Meanwhile, prices Kirkcaldy climbed by £50 (9%) to £614 in Kirkcaldy, and £48 (8%) to £655 in Edinburgh, on average.

However, drivers in Glasgow face the most expensive car insurance costs, with prices now £784, following a £60 (8%) increase year-on-year. While motorists in the Hebrides saw the steepest annual increases, with prices accelerating by £85 (13%) in 12 months to now stand at £732, on average.

Meanwhile, female drivers across all Scottish regions saw the biggest changes to their car insurance costs. In particular, prices for female drivers in Central Scotland increased by £59 (9%) to £684, while men saw a £48 (7%) increase, in comparison. This means they’re now paying £741, on average, bringing the gap between the two to £57.

Younger, female drivers across all regions saw the biggest increases in particular, with prices for 17-20-year olds increasing as much as £101 (7%) year-on-year.

Female drivers of this age pay as much as £1,576 for their car insurance, while male drivers of the same age pay as much as £2,043 in comparison, on average. However, the only winners this quarter is 17-20-year-old male drivers in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, who are the only age group to see their price drop year-on-year.

Prices for these drivers are now -£2 (0%) cheaper than one year ago, standing at £1,980, on average.

Meanwhile, older drivers saw less dramatic increase in prices. Male motorists aged 71 and over in the Scottish Highlands and Islands saw their cost of car insurance increase just £15 (4%) over the past year to £370, on average.

However, the cheapest car insurance cost is rewarded to 66 to 70-year-old female drivers in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, who pay just £278, on average. Meanwhile, the cheapest price paid for men across Scotland is £312 for 66 to 70-year olds in East and North East Scotland.

But, while car insurance prices are on the up, drivers are offered some respite in other motoring costs. The cost of fuel across the UK has dropped significantly over the past four months.

According to Confused.com’s fuel price index, the average price of petrol this month is 116p per litre, compared to 127p in January. Similarly, diesel costs have dropped, with prices now 119p per litre, compared to 132p four months ago.

Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com comments: “The fact that car insurance costs have increased in Scotland is not the news we need especially right now.  Year on year prices are up, but over the past few months they haven’t changed that much.  

“However, as a result of the lockdown the majority of people are using their cars less, it is therefore likely that we will see some change to prices in the coming months as insurers adjust to reflect this.  We are constantly monitoring the situation so that we can update our customers on any changes that happen.

“Automatically renewing with your insurer might seem like the easiest, stress-free option, but it could be costly.

“Even if your renewal price is cheaper, or the same, it’s likely there will be another insurer out there willing to offer a better price.  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.

“Please don’t pay more than you have to – take a few minutes to check your renewal letter and get a cheaper price because now, more than ever, it’s so important to shop around.”

270 caught during motor insurance sweep

Over 270 drivers were detected driving without insurance across Scotland as part of the national Operation Drive Insured campaign.

The campaign saw a week of enhanced enforcement action between 20 January and 26 January to detect and, where appropriate, seize uninsured drivers’ vehicles and tackle associated offences.

In 2019, over 7,000 uninsured vehicles were seized in Scotland. During January’s week of action, 271 uninsured vehicles were detected which resulted in 113 vehicles being seized. The 271 drivers who were detected without insurance were reported to the Procurator Fiscal /received a Fixed Penalty Notice with a £300 fine and six penalty points.

Head of Road Policing, Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, said: “Driving without insurance is not a victimless crime as law-abiding drivers are at risk of paying out if they are hit by an uninsured driver.

“Additionally, uninsured motorists are more likely to have links to wider crime and often drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, posing an even greater risk to other road users.

“We will continue to take action against those who flout the law. If you have no valid insurance, you have no legal right to be on the road. I would ask the public to continue to report drivers so we can take action.”

Daren Courtenay, Motor Insurers` Bureau Police Support Officer for Scotland said: “MIB is committed to assisting the police in their continued effort of tackling uninsured driving.

“The fantastic results that Police Scotland achieved during their week of action demonstrates the need to continue this work. The vast majority of motorists are law-abiding and deserve to be protected from the increased risks posed by uninsured drivers.”

Operation Drive: Police Scotland to take action against uninsured drivers

  • Police Scotland will undertake Operation Drive Insured on 7-13 September 2019 in a national week of enforcement activity to seize uninsured drivers’ vehicles and improve road safety.
  • Uninsured drivers are more likely to cause accidents and are often involved in wider crime.
  • Drivers without insurance will have their vehicle seized and potentially crushed. In cases that go to court, offenders can receive an unlimited fine and a driving ban.

Road Policing teams across Scotland will undertake ‘Operation Drive Insured’ from 7-13 September, in a week of enhanced operations to seize uninsured drivers’ vehicles and improve road safety. Continue reading Operation Drive: Police Scotland to take action against uninsured drivers

Bad news for Scottish drivers as car insurance prices accelerate

– 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. Continue reading Bad news for Scottish drivers as car insurance prices accelerate

Police Scotland to carry out nationwide checks to catch uninsured drivers

  • Police Scotland’s road units mount ‘Operation Drive Insured’ on 21-27 January 2019, in a week of enhanced operations across Scotland to seize uninsured drivers’ vehicles.
  • Drivers without insurance are more dangerous and cause a high number of deaths each year.
  • MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) confirms uninsured and untraced hit and run drivers cost law-abiding motorists £400 million a year in insurance premiums.

Continue reading Police Scotland to carry out nationwide checks to catch uninsured drivers