Signing up to an annual direct debit payment plan from your energy supplier is supposed to help prevent bill shock as your payments are spread equally throughout the year. But it might not work like that...
Survey: Car insurance premiums fall
The cost of car insurance is falling after years of steady rises.
Research has found that car insurance costs are falling
The cost of car insurance is falling after years of steady rises.
Average annual comprehensive insurance in spring (April to June) this year was £797 - a 7.1% dip on the spring 2011 figure, according to a survey by Confused.com and professional services company Towers Watson.
But despite the fall, men on average are still paying £110 more than women on their car insurance.
Biggest winners from the fall in prices are the elderly, with drivers aged 71 or more not only paying the least (£426 a year) but also enjoying the biggest year-on-year dip - 8.8%.
There were also big falls in the amount young drivers have to pay, but at £2,491 the price of comprehensive insurance for those aged 17-20 is higher than for any other age range.
The price for these novice drivers also varies depending on where they live and what sex they are.
The average price for 17 to 20-year-old male drivers in Manchester/Merseyside is £5,394, yet male drivers in this age range pay a more modest £2,999 in Central Scotland.
Women aged 17 to 20 are quoted £1,878 on average for comprehensive insurance, while men of the same age suffer average insurance quotes of £3,596.
Regionally, the west of England has seen the biggest fall in prices, as average premiums for comprehensive cover dropped by 10.5% in spring 2012.
Gareth Kloet, head of car insurance at Confused.com, said: "Competition between car insurance providers is currently very high. We anticipate that drivers will continue to reduce their annual mileage as a result of high motoring costs and seek cheaper vehicles in their search for more affordable cover."
related stories on msn
0Comments
latest money videos
more on msn money
The iconic Cotchford Farm in East Sussex goes up for sale for £2 million.
We look at which option will bag you a nicer home in a better neighbourhood.
Whether you have credit card debts or an overdraft or a stack of store credit, you can get back in the black for very little cost.
Because the sun has to shine eventually...
Nearly half of UK households say that they would struggle to cope if their monthly outgoings rose by £99. We look at how you can create some financial 'breathing space' to help you out if you lose your job or become ill.
Avoid these mistakes if you want to lead a richer life!
Save regularly to nab a leading easy access ISA rate from Newcastle Building Society and the chance to earn up to £1,000 cashback.
Barclaycard is now offering a record 27 interest-free months to pay off your debts.
The taxman says three and a half million people are due a refund, but two million will have to fork out for underpaid tax.
Fed up with low savings rates and high borrowing rates? As Dave Fishwick and his Bank of Dave has demonstrated, there are other options out there.
If you want to find a unique property bargain, there is plenty of help available online - you just need to know where to look.
