Specialist car insurers may not always give the best deal

With the motor insurance renewals boom period in full swing and many drivers looking to get the best deal, moneysupermarket.com warns that specialist insurers for women drivers may not always provide the best value option for motorists.

Research from the UK's leading price comparison site, which analysed over half a million motor insurance quotes for women, has found specialist female-only brands are selective about the type of customer they insure and will not always give the best value premiums. The average premium for specialist female policies is £733 - more expensive than many traditional providers. Specialist insurers, such as Sheilas' Wheels and Diamond, will be competitive for some women drivers; however they are selective in the type of risk they will insure for. For example they may only return a quote for customers who have built up a certain no claims bonus, or have held a full driving license for a certain period of time.

Steve Sweeney, head of motor insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: "The motor renewals season is at its peak meaning more people are looking to bag themselves the best deal on their motor insurance. As our research highlights, going down the specialist insurer route may not be the best option for some drivers. These brands market themselves to be the cheaper alternatives for the likes of older drivers and women, and while this is true for some drivers, for others this is not the case. This just goes to prove that shopping around for the best deal is crucial. While specialist insurers do offer added benefits, such as handbag cover and priority assistance in emergencies on women-only policies, I would advise Brits to weigh up whether these additions are actually worth the extra money.

"When looking for car insurance, I would advise against simply sticking with your existing insurer. Loyalty doesn't pay and our research shows motorists could save on average £157 by shopping around for the best deal. I would advise anyone unsure about whether to go down the specialist insurer route or stick to more traditional providers to weigh up all their options and find the right policy which suits their needs."