AVERAGE drivers with middle-range cars are seeing their car insurance bill rising by £16 since the same time last year, according to the AA.

The cost of insuring a typical couple driving a Ford Escort in 44 postcode area so the UK shows that the average premium for the average driver is now £232. A year ago, this was £216, and 18 months ago it was £224.

Belfast BT7 is again the highest premium-rated postcode area in the survey, but at £394, it is lower than last year's 413 bill. And the gap between this and the lowest premium £148 in Wimbledon - has narrowed from £284 last year to £246.

The same postcode areas - generally in major towns and cities continue to pay the highest insurance bills, with three of these in Northern Ireland, where a less competitive market costs drivers dearly. Top 10 premiums are in Belfast (BT7); Belfast (BT8); Aigburth (L17); Bangor (BT19); Balsall Heath (B12); Manchester (M1) Liverpool (L1); Glasgow (G1); Didsbury (M20); and Deptford (SE8).

Drivers in suburban and rural districts still benefit from lowest premiums and five of the 10 most affordable postcode areas are in Scotland.

"The ups and downs of insurance premiums reflect underwriters' claims experiences in different areas of the UK - and even from one part of a city another," says George Lowe, director, AA Insurance.

"Today, computer analysis means that insurers can fine-tune rates monthly, weekly or even daily - compared with the annual changes made 20 years ago - so it's always wise to shop around for a competitive premium.

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