General Insurance Article - Motor premiums stabilise but cost to insurers mount

 The data comes from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) Motor Insurance Tracker (Q1’24). The tracker is the most comprehensive in the UK, analysing nearly 28 million policies sold a year and the claims paid against these policies. It’s also the only collection that is based on the price customers pay for their cover rather than what they are quoted (which typically delivers higher averages).

 The average comprehensive car insurance premium now sits at £635, up 1% on the previous quarter (Q4’23). Over the long-term, motor insurance has tracked very close to inflation. In real terms, prices are just £8 more (+1.3%) when compared to the previous ‘peak’ at the end of 2017. This is partly because prices fell significantly during the pandemic.

 In contrast, over the same period (end 2017 to now), costs for insurers to pay claims have risen by 23% in real terms. 2023 was a difficult year for motor insurance margins, with EY estimating that for every £1 collected in premiums, the industry paid out £1.14 in claims and expenses.

 The latest quarter indicates claims inflation is yet to stabilise, with the cost of repair, replacement vehicles, and theft all rising.

 Mervyn Skeet, the ABI’s Director of General Insurance Policy, said: “We understand that car insurance costs are putting pressure on household finances. These figures show how competitive the motor market is, with insurers absorbing significant cost rises but keeping prices relatively stable.

 “Even though these figures demonstrate a slowdown in price increases, we won’t be taking our foot off the gas when it comes to our work on tackling the cost of cover.”

 The ABI set out the steps the industry is taking to combat the rise in the cost of motor insurance at its conference in February. Just last week it announced that its members had agreed a set of principles on premium finance, aimed at managing the cost associated with paying for insurance on a monthly basis.