She said: “We’re starting to see insurers quoting higher prices and I think that’s the beginning of a trend, but market remains very competitive. Bur the rate of increase isn’t going to be turbo-charged.”
Connor points out that for many insurers, the cost of claims is greater than premium income, which means that present prices are simply unsustainable.
Yet she is hoping that new medical reporting accreditation for whiplash injury assessment will help to curb the out-of-control claims that are now leading insurers to increase premiums.
She said: “I hope this will put off those looking for an easy cash win but not discourage those with a genuine injury.”
Insurance winners and losers by region
The only region to see an average premium increase is Wales, with an average premium of £484.14, up by about £6 or 1.3%.
The biggest fall was in Northern Ireland where premiums fell by 4.5% to £756.58, swapping places with the northwest of England which is now the most costly region to insure a car with an average quoted premium of £768.97, down 1.2%.
Scotland continues to be cheapest region in the UK for car premiums and has seen a fall in premium of just 17p.
Shoparound by region
| Region | 2014-Q4 | 2015-Q1 | Change | 2014-Q1 | Annual |
| Anglia | £500.94 | £496.50 | -0.9% | £496.50 | -5.6% |
| Border & TyneTees | £511.72 | £506.66 | -1.0% | £506.66 | -7.9% |
| Central | £544.39 | £537.66 | -1.2% | £537.66 | -6.9% |
| Granada (North-West) | £787.18 | £768.97 | -2.3% | £768.97 | -9.1% |
| London | £643.01 | £638.98 | -0.6% | £638.98 | -4.1% |
| Scotland | £373.86 | £373.69 | -0.0% | £373.69 | -5.0% |
| South | £448.76 | £445.33 | -0.8% | £445.33 | -5.0% |
| Ulster | £792.06 | £756.58 | -4.5% | £756.58 | -6.5% |
| Wales | £477.75 | £484.14 | +1.3% | £484.14 | -1.1% |
| West & West Country | £424.64 | £422.03 | -0.6% | £422.03 | -4.3% |
| Yorkshire | £605.18 | £604.95 | -0.0% | £604.95 | -4.6% |
