Debt worries may be greater for Bradford motorists

With inflation and pay freezes putting the squeeze on consumers and making it harder for those in debt to manage their repayments, the level of hardship may be great for many – with some motorists also facing large hikes in car insurance costs.

A study by price comparison site Confused.com revealed the north of England was hardest hit by rising premiums in 2011, with the greatest increase coming in the Bradford postcode area at 17.1 per cent.

Second on the list was Oldham across the Pennines at 14.8 per cent, while premiums down the road in Manchester rose 14.4 per cent.

And elsewhere in the north, Blackburn, Liverpool, Halifax and Bolton saw large increases.

The only places in the top ten outside the north of England were Birmingham, Ilford and east London. 

By contrast, some places saw premiums fall, with the seven greatest decreases coming in Scotland – led by Falkirk with a 4.6 per cent drop – and the next three in the south-west of England.

Head of insurance at Confused.com Gareth Kloet said: "This time last year drivers were paying an eye watering £804 average premium for comprehensive cover which has continued to rise to a massive £844 over the past 12 months."

Concerns over the cost of car insurance have often focused on the way premiums have risen due to providers having to fight many claims made on a no-win, no-fee basis.

Car insurer LV has published research today (January 12th) indicating that 60 per cent of doctors have seen an increase in the past two years of patients feigning injuries in a bid to make car insurance claims, while 53 per cent have been approached by claims firms looking for cases.

By Joe White