Brokers are in disagreement over rates for motor insurance . The AA Insurance Services says they are going up, but direct broker People's Choice says they are going down.
According to the AA, premiums rose by 9% on average last year - far less than the whopping 19% rise the year before.
People's Choice says between October and December last year, 34% of motorists experienced a price cut for their cover and half had no price rise.
The AA surveyed 37 UK insurers and found non-comprehensive premiums rose by 1.5% in the last quarter and 12.86% over the year.
Comprehensive premiums rose by 1.83% in the quarter and 9.05% over the year.
AA Insurance Services managing director Andrew Briscoe predicted: "During 2002, we expect to see continued increases of between 8% and 10% for car insurance, with rates starting to flatten towards the end of the year."
He attributed the rapid rate rises in 2000 to the industry's efforts to pull itself out of loss.
The survey found the average comprehensive policy cost £670 and the average non-comprehensive £787.
The AA admits the figures may not reflect the prices paid.
The price achieved by a buyer who shops around is calculated by taking the average of the three lowest premiums.
The AA calculated the premium paid by a buyer who shops around at £437 for comprehensive and £479 for non-comprehensive. These figures represent savings of £233 and £308 respectively.
But People's Choice chief executive David Pearce said between October and December last year, 34% of motorists experienced a price cut for their cover and half had no price rise.
The company's findings came after it reviewed 143 rates for 11 driver categories in 13 locations across the UK.
