A car insurance expert has delivered some grim news to drivers. Many people are discovering they will have to pay hundreds of pounds more for their car insurance after being given their renewal quotes.

And it's come as a shock, with motorists being left fuming with sky-high renewal quotes and demanding to know why costs have soared so much, particularly given the pressures on finances during the cost of living crisis. There's not always joy to be found on comparison sites either.

Premiums have risen by a staggering 58%, with the average driver paying £338 more than last year. Motorists who have yet to renew this year and will soon be doing so have been warned to expect a nasty hike when they receive their renewal quote and prepare to find extra money to cover the increase.

READ MORE: I tried to renew my car insurance and was left fuming with what I was told

READ MORE: Thousands more kids in our city have no bed, no toys, no hope - why Brumwish is back for Christmas

Experts have also provided some tips of how hard-up drivers might be able to keep costs down. Louise Thomas, motor insurance expert at comparison site Confused, said: “With prices up on average £148 (19%) in just three months, and £338 (58%) in 12 months, drivers are likely to be paying more than ever. So those who haven’t yet been affected should be wary of how pricing may affect them at their next renewal.

Brumwish 2023 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2023 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

  1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
  2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Birmingham Thrive Together - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes
  3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at special gifting days on Friday 8th December and Saturday 9th December at Edgbaston Stadium, 11am - 3pm. Volunteers will be there to greet you and thank you for your support. Please don't wrap.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Birmingham Thrive Together, Birmingham Playcare Network, Edgbaston Foundation (part of Edgbaston Stadium and Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps who first dreamed up #Toys4Birmingham and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

“But there are deals around and drivers can still save money, even if they’ve noticed their renewal has gone up. So if you’re due to renew, consider ways in which you can keep costs down.

"Whether it’s reducing your mileage or improving your car security, these can certainly help. But remember to always be truthful to your insurer, otherwise you risk invalidating your policy."