By Charlotte Court & Sally Acton
Car insurance costs across Manchester are plummeting quicker than they have in five years – yet drivers still feel they’re paying too much.
Average premiums in Greater Manchester fell by almost 15% between 2011 and 2012, while they have only fallen by around 27% in total since 2008.
Although Bolton, Manchester and Stockport feature in the top 10 largest decreases in the country, they still hold some of the heaviest annual car insurance costs.
The average policy amount in Manchester for 2012 was £658.26, falling from £773.11 in 2011, while prices were just under £900 in 2008, according to figures released by Money Supermarket Monitor.
Kevin Pratt, insurance expert with Money Supermarket, said: “It’s great to see that no area of the UK appears to have been left out when it comes to cheaper car insurance premiums this year.
“However, the benefit to some parts of the nation appears to be less noticeable than others.”
The AA British Insurance Premium Index has released figures showing that young drivers remain the hardest hit.
Despite a national decrease of 4.6% between July and October of 2013, the average quote for 17 to 22-year-olds is £1,198.96.
The top 10 cheapest cars for young drivers in 2013 have been listed by Moneysupermarket.com; however, the insurance figures still make for grim reading.
The Seat Mii comes in at a staggering average annual cost of £2,068.11, while the Renault Twingo is the most expensive at £2,834.70.
Even with the decrease, residents are still feeling the pinch when it comes to insuring your vehicle.
Louise Stewart, 40, from Stockport, said: “I still feel I’m paying too much and car insurance in my area is overpriced.
“I have been paying a similar price for the last few years and I don’t feel like I can reduce costs without compromising on the quality of the cover.”
Chris Nelson, 19, from Manchester, is still struggling to obtain affordable car insurance since passing his test in 2012.
Mr Nelson said: “Even the cheapest quotes I received are still in the thousands which is just an impossible amount for me to pay.
“Young drivers in Manchester have little chance of earning a no claims discount unless someone is there to help them out.”
Image courtesy of Lucas via Flickr, with thanks.
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