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North the most expensive place in the UK for car insurance

Northern Ireland is now the most expensive place in the UK for car insurance
Northern Ireland is now the most expensive place in the UK for car insurance Northern Ireland is now the most expensive place in the UK for car insurance

NORTHERN Ireland is now the most expensive place in the UK for car insurance, according to new figures.

The Consumer Council has recently highlighted that motorists in the north are now paying £157 per year more than the UK average for insurance.

The average fully comprehensive car insurance premium in Northern Ireland increased by 7 per cent over the year to £931, which

is in stark opposition to the rest of the UK where prices fell by 6 per cent to £774 annually.

Insurance risk and commercial law specialist, BLM has highlighted the growing fraudulent claims in the north as a key contributing factor for the disparity.

Alison Cassidy, partner in BLM’s Belfast office believes an increase in fraudulent claims is undoubtedly linked to the rise in car premiums.

“An emerging trend in this field shows more sophisticated crime rings and cross-border ‘fraud tourists’ making exaggerated or false insurance claims," she said.

"We have been involved in a number of cases recently that highlight this growing trend and it is an issue that informs insurance providers costs when deciding on insurance premiums.”

In a recent hearing taken by BLM’s Belfast team, three frauluent claims were struck out in Newtownards County Court, while other cases have cut across the border between the north and the Republic.

“BLM are tracking migrating fraud and monitoring known protagonists operating across jurisdictions – working with insurers to help fight fraudulent claims and allowing them to make a more informed decision as to the risks of insurance policies. Analysis of fraudulent claims is central to BLM’s work and will continue to be an integral aspect of solving this problem," Ms Cassidy added.