Data from CompareNI.com shows than young drivers (aged 17 to 24) in Northern Ireland are paying an average of £1,432 for their annual motor insurance premium. It says this is about 25% more than the national UK average for this age group and a rise of 10% in the three months to September this year takes it past London as the most expensive region.

The figures show that while most drivers across the UK are seeing premiums fall, the reverse is true in Northern Ireland. Average motor insurance premiums in Northern Ireland nudged up by £4 in Q3 to reach £669. In contrast, premiums on a national level dropped by 5.2% in Q3 to £587.

Ian Wilson, managing director at CompareNI.com, said: “While it is encouraging to see car insurance premiums continuing to drop across the UK, it’s disappointing to see costs in Northern Ireland not falling in line with other regions.

He added: “Car insurance for young drivers has always been expensive and a key reason why Northern Ireland remains one of the dearest regions of the UK is down to a combination of higher claim costs and a poorer road safety record compared to Great Britain.”