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The Quarterly Car Insurance Cost Survey
March 2004

Car insurance is the only form of insurance required by law. Every one of the UK's 30 million motorists has to buy insurance to cover themselves and other road users. It is a once a year grudge buy and most motorists assume the cost will continue to rise, but is that the case? Direct insurer Admiral has carried out independent research to see what typical UK motorists are currently paying for car insurance.

Admiral compared the cost of comprehensive insurance for 32 typical drivers with 28 different insurance companies. Admiral will repeat the survey every three months to see how the prices have changed for each example. This will give an accurate picture of the trends in insurance costs.

All of the UK's biggest insurers were surveyed as well as Admiral; including AXA, Churchill, Direct Line and Norwich Union. The example covers eight age groups, eight cars in four locations.

Jane Stone, Admiral managing director, said, "Our survey gives a precise snapshot of the price of insurance. Not only does it show the average cost of insurance for various motorists; we can compare these figures each quarter to see what the trends are in the industry. We also show which of the companies we surveyed is the cheapest and which the most expensive.

"We want motorists to be aware that insurance premiums fall as well as rise, and to emphasise how important it is to shop around for a quote."

20-year-old male bank clerk driving a 1999 Seat Ibiza 1.4 S 3 door, with 3 years no claims bonus. Living in:

Wandsworth W18