In the last year, the average car insurance premiums have risen by 16.3% (or approximately &82) with increased taxes, excess whiplash claims and price comparison websites taking the blame.

However, car premiums are still well below the record high seen in 2011 and they were steadily declining until the end of 2014.

Surprisingly, younger drivers have been the least affected by the price increases having only experienced an 8% rise over the past year, although their average premium has not broken the &2,000 barrier. It’s the elderly that seem to have taken the biggest hit, with drivers over the age of 61 seeing an average increase of 24%, although the average premiums are still relatively low at &418.

Both male and female drivers saw their premiums rise substantially over the last 12 months, but it is still males that have seen their prices creep up slightly more. Currently, male drivers can expect to pay a premium of around &781 and female drivers can expect to pay around &683. By comparison, three years ago the price divide stood at just &30 as opposed to &98 today, with men still paying slightly more on average.

The AA said premiums were driven up by continuing problems with whiplash claims and consumers’ growing tendency to shop around for a new policy each year.

Michael Lloyd, AA’s director of insurance, said: “We are witnessing sustained price increases once again, which is bad news for drivers. I can’t see an immediate end to the current upward trend.”

“The whiplash epidemic has dogged the British motor insurance industry for a decade and continues to do so,” Lloyd said. “I do recognise that whiplash can be a serious and debilitating condition. But the activities of claim firms make life more difficult for those with a genuine injury.”