Gocompare.com: Rising insurance premiums

Commenting on Experian’s Motor Insurance Benchmark, Hayley Parsons, Managing Director at Gocompare.com, said: "The increase in premiums for comprehensive motor insurance, as revealed in Experian’s Motor Insurance Benchmark emphasises the importance of shopping around for your insurance cover. Direct insurers and brokers offer completely different rates which is why it is so important to look at the whole market and find the right deal for you”

“Experian’s research shows that this increase is across the board, so policyholders everywhere will be feeling the pinch, and whilst prices can vary significantly between insurance providers, finding the cheapest policy doesn’t always mean that this is the best policy for you. Shopping around is also about finding the right cover for your circumstances."

Gocompare.com offers the below advice for helping to reduce the cost of your motor insurance premiums:

Keep it clean - The more convictions on your licence, the higher the premium. Speeding is one of the more common convictions which will leave you paying a fine and more than likely higher insurance costs.

Pass Plus to drive down cost – If you are a learner driver, you can help reduce your premiums by taking a course which shows you are a proficient driver. This is a Pass Plus scheme for which some insurance companies may cut premiums by as much as 30%. There is also an Advanced Driver course which can reduce your premiums.

Don’t pimp your premiums – Modifying your car so that it looks like it should be in a James Bond film is all well and good but any differences from the factory standard will increase your premium.

Park safely - The safer the place you leave your car the lower the risk. If you leave your car on the street overnight then an insurance company will say that this is a greater risk than a car kept securely overnight in a locked garage.

Watch out for additional monthly fees - Something some insurers don't make so clear is that although they offer a good service by allowing you to pay monthly instead of one lump sum, they may well introduce a fee for doing this. This would make the total amount you pay higher than the original quoted premium. If at all possible it may well be advisable to pay the insurance in one go.

Secure your car for a better deal - A vehicle with a car alarm, immobiliser or tracker will potentially lower the quote that an insurer will offer you.