Car insurance costs hit all-time high in UK

Premiums have been pushed to a record high by the increasing cost of repairs, tax and personal injury claims – and prices could rise further still

UK drivers are paying more than ever before for their car insurance as a result of the rising cost of repairs, tax and personal injury claims.

The average price for comprehensive insurance in the fourth quarter of 2016 was £462, which is 4.9% higher (and £22 more expensive per policy) than the same period in 2015, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Why modern cars are getting more expensive to fix

Repair costs are a big factor in the rise of insurance premiums. The average repair bill has increased to £1678 over the past three years, a rise of almost 32%. Electronics, safety aids and fuel-saving systems fitted to modern cars can all prove complex and expensive to repair, with specialist tools and knowledge often required.

Insurance premium tax has been rising since the July 2015 Budget. The latest increase in June this year will double it, from 6% to 12%, which also affects the cost of insurance for drivers.

In addition, personal injury claims are on the up. The government is aiming to crack down on fraudulent whiplash claims, but the average personal injury pay-out still remains high, at £10,674. The government’s plans could save around £1 billion, which would reduce every motor insurance policy by £40.

Costs could spiral even higher, according to the ABI, because the Ministry of Justice is reviewing its discount rate. When courts calculate lump sum payments to people with long-term injuries, they include an assumption about the interest rate the recipient will receive when that money is reinvested.

The lower the discount rate is, the higher the lump sum has to be. The current discount rate is 2.5%, but the fall in interest rates since its introduction in 2001 means the discount rate could be reduced. That would increase lump sum payments and potentially car insurance as well.