The cheapest average premiums quoted have tumbled over the summer to just £533 – a £60 drop year-on-year.

This is the lowest quarterly average for cheapest premiums available since summer 2015.

The fall in the cheapest average premiums has driven up savings available to motorists. Drivers can save an average of £98 on their car insurance by switching to the cheapest deal when their policy expires. 

The average annual car insurance premium declined by £71 year-on-year across the summer months (June – August), according to the latest Premium Drivers research from comparethemarket.com.

The average premium now stands at £631, compared with an average of £702 for the same three-month period in 2020. 

In each lockdown since March 2020, the cost of car insurance had fallen due to fewer cars being on the road and a subsequent drop in claims. Insurers had used savings from fewer claims to offer lower premiums to customers. However, the average motor insurance premium has also declined in recent months, from £644 in June 21 to £617 in August 21.

The fall in premiums over the past three months is surprising, as more Covid-19 travel curbs were relaxed and road traffic increased in this time. In fact, road traffic has reverted to pre-pandemic levels with car use returning to 98% of its February 2020 level, on average in August 2021, according to figures from the Department of Transport1. This more recent fall in premiums suggests insurers may be competing more aggressively to attract new customers.  

Young motorists can benefit from the greatest savings by switching car insurance. The average premium for drivers aged under 25 has decreased to £1,085, falling from £1,134 in the same three months (June – August) in 2020.

If young drivers shop around for the cheapest deal on average when their policies come up for renewal, they could typically save £201 on their car insurance. 

Lead image: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels.com)

The average age of a policy holder is down by 20% in the past year

The average age of those investing in private medical insurance (PMI) via comparison site GoCompare has gone down from 40 to 33 in the past year.

It means those buying policies between January and September 2021 were 20% younger than those who purchased private healthcare in the same timeframe in 2020.

Richard Jones, of GoCompare health insurance, said: “Perceptions around private medical insurance were already changing, but there has certainly been a noticeable shift in the way people are actively investing in healthcare since Covid-19 arrived in the UK.

“It has been well documented that waiting times for public health services have been significantly affected by the pandemic, as well as an increase in A&E admissions as a result of people having to wait longer for treatment.”

“Conversely, on the ground we are seeing a new generation of consumer coming to the market who are more inclined to include private health insurance in their monthly outgoings,” Richard added.

Waiting times for planned hospital procedures through public services now reportedly range from 30 weeks to over a year in some areas as NHS medics continue working to clear the back log created by Covid 19.

Patients are meanwhile reporting the use of loans, savings and, in some cases, crowd funding campaigns to have procedures carried out here in the UK or overseas in lieu of having private medical insurance in place.

Taking out a private medical insurance policy can help cover the cost of private treatment for pre-agreed conditions through the payment of a monthly or annual premium, and can support a quicker diagnosis and other routine treatments.

Richard said: “Healthcare insurance has always been available for consumers in the UK to access a range of healthcare and treatment options outside of those provided by the NHS, and many families will already have been making full use of their policies throughout the pandemic.

“But for others less familiar with how private healthcare works, what it actually covers and how premiums are calculated, investing in a private medical insurance policy could feel like a bit of a minefield, not least in the current climate.

“It’s important to remember, for example, that for chronic conditions and pre-existing conditions, or in emergency situations, there will always be a need to access public health services even if you are considering taking out a private policy,” Richard added.

“It’s our responsibility as those working within the industry to help these consumers navigate their way around the kind of cover options available, what each policy offers and help them to understand what is and isn’t covered by health insurance generally, therefore, as greater numbers look towards private health insurance to support them and their loved ones at the present time.”

Private medical insurance can be provided for on an individual, family, joint or international basis, and is also offered by some employers as an added benefit too.

Conditions covered within a policy will vary depending on the kind of cover provided for, but might typically include in-patient treatments like routine health checks, tests, overnight hospital stays, out-patient treatment and more.

People in Swansea who have phoned a free advice line to check whether they are missing out on benefits they are entitled to have received an additional £50,000 in backdated benefits between them.

Earlier this year Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Councils together with partner organisations launched the 0800 112 4763 free phone number to support people over the age of 66 who may be missing out Pension Credit.

So far this helpline have assisted people successfully claim 113 different benefits with many people receiving more than one benefit.  This has generated a weekly increase in income of £5,050.10 which is an average of £44.69 per claim.

But many more people in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot are still missing out as government figures show two in every five people who qualify for the benefit do not claim it.

Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Supporting Communities, Alyson Pugh, said: “As we head into the winter the cost of living is rising and it has been widely reported in recent days the energy prices are set to increase dramatically.

“We know that there are pensioners in Swansea who are already struggling to make ends meet and I would urge them to give this helpline a call to check if they are missing out on money that they are entitled to.

“We also know that each additional £1 people receive is worth £4 to the local economy so by claiming benefits that they are entitled to, they help support local jobs and local businesses and we desperately need this, especially now.

“Entitlement to Pension Credit also accesses claimants to fringe benefits including help with travel costs to hospital and NHS charges, access to a free TV licence, discretionary assistance payments to assist with purchasing one off items and they are automatically passported through the financial means test for housing benefit and council tax reduction.

“This is vital help that people are entitled to so I would urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to call the helpline where they will receive friendly and informative advice and assistance.”

Cllr Pugh added: “I’m very proud that our Welfare Rights Team is working so closely with our partners to highlight this and I would like to thank all organisations involved in this campaign.”