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.”
