Premium rates set to steeple
Drivers in nearly all age groups are paying record amounts for their car insurance and could face further increases unless the government takes action to reduce claims costs, the ABI has warned.
New figures show that between 2015 and 2016, all age groups except those under 21 – where the increasing use of telematics is keeping premiums under control – faced increases in their average premium. Those in their late 50s and late 80s faced the highest rises, nearly £35 in the year.
Those aged 18-20 paid the highest average premiums last year at £973, with those aged 66-70 paying the least at £260.
These figures pre date the government’s decision to cut the personal injury Discount Rate, since which the ABI says the government has taken no decisive steps.
ABI director general, Huw Evans, said, ‘With inflation on the rise, motor premiums at a record high and the public purse under pressure, it’s concerning that the Government have yet to commit to delivering a fairer system for setting the personal injury Discount Rate. We’re pleased the Government are going to bring forward a Civil Liability Bill to reform whiplash style personal injury compensation, but the benefits could be wiped out if they don’t defuse the Discount Rate bombshell.
‘At a time when politicians from all parties are calling for additional investment in public services, setting a Discount Rate that is fair for claimants, customers and taxpayers could contribute up to £1bn a year to help fund this.’
The most recent ABI motor premium tracker for quarter one this year shows the average premium paid at £462, up by eight per cent since the same period in 2016 and adding an extra £33 a year to the cost of insurance.
The ABI has warned that, with such huge cost increases, these initial premium rises are likely to be followed by further waves of increases that will take place between now and the beginning of next year.
This is because reinsurance renewals are due around now or at the beginning of 2018. Many insurers choose to reinsure against large risks, such as catastrophic personal injury claims, which means some of the impact of the recent change will so far have been absorbed by existing reinsurance contracts. But given the size of the Discount Rate cost impact, reinsurance premiums are likely to increase on renewal. This will add to insurer costs which will inevitably feed through to the premiums insurers have to charge customers.
