RAC Report on Motoring 2016

RAC call to action: Cost of motoring: see page 88

RAC Report on Motoring 2016

1.0 What’s on motorists’ minds?

While most drivers say the cost of taxing their vehicles has not changed in the past year, 30% say it has risen – exactly the same proportion as in 2015. A slightly smaller proportion than in 2015 (44% versus 41%) reported that their car maintenance bills had increased in the past 12 months. There was also a strong rise in the proportion of motorists who say their motor insurance premiums have risen: almost half (46%) say their car insurance costs have increased since last year compared with 34% who said the same in 2015. This is borne out by industry data, which shows the average premium rose by 14% in the 12 months to March 2016, from £590 to £671 6 .

One factor that has helped to push costs up is the decision by the Government to increase the rate of Insurance Premium Tax to 9.5% from 6% last autumn, and then to 10% in the March 2016 Budget. Insurance price rises were reflected in motorists’ general concerns: 8% say insurance bills are their top concern in 2016, compared with just 5% last year. In fact, the cost of cover ranks as the third most common top concern, behind the condition of local roads and drivers using handheld phones. And more than a quarter of motorists (26%) say insurance prices are one of their four most serious concerns this year. Only 18% did so in 2015.

2016

Average insurance premium cost increase

2015

590

671

£

£

6. www.confused.com/car-insurance/price-index/overall

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