Scottish drivers enjoy UK's cheapest car insurance

Drivers in Scotland get the best deals on car insurance, with Aberdeen named the UK’s cheapest city for cover, according to new data.

The country is home to six of the 10 cheapest postcodes for car insurance, with average premiums almost three times cheaper than in the UK’s most expensive locations.

Aberdeen is the cheapest of all, with an average annual premium of £309.14, according to the analysis of quotes by Book My Garage. Just behind it is Perth, where the average insurance bill is £324.64 a year, and Truro, in Cornwall, where drivers pay an average of £325.20.

In general, insurance is cheaper in towns and cities with smaller populations, but 10th place Edinburgh has a similar population size to Liverpool, which proved to be the country’s most-expensive city for drivers. In Edinburgh, with a population of around 482,000, the average premium is £374.83 but in Liverpool, home to 496,000 people, it is a shocking £884.51.

Top 10 cheapest cities for car insurance

CityAverage quotePopulationAberdeen£309.14207,932Perth£324.6446,960Truro£325.2018,766Inverness£339.4246,870Winchester£347.10124,295Swansea£347.59246,217Dundee£354.28148,270Hereford£36055,800Stirling£373.5236,440Edinburgh£374.83482,005

Alongside Aberdeen, Perth and Edinburgh, Inverness, Dundee and Stirling made it into the list of 10 cheapest postcodes, while Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford were among the other most expensive cities, with premiums between £726 to £848. Despite its massive population, London was just the fifth most expensive city for drivers, with an average cost of £725.

“Location is one of the most important factors determining car insurance costs” says Jessica Potts of Book My Garage. “The majority of claims occur within just five miles of the driver’s home, so residing in areas with higher theft and accident rates impacts premiums.

“While the research shows what a typical driver in these locations can expect to pay, it doesn’t cover every eventuality. Some may find their circumstances produce different results. The study does give us an intriguing insight into the regional difference across the UK - it is certainly good news for some.”

While insurance costs will vary between drivers there are some steps you can take to try to cut down your costs, including considering black box insurance, thinking about who is included on your cover and considering what you need to use your car for. For more ways to save money on your car insurance read our guide here.