One in three drivers is considering quitting due to fuel costs and the cost of living crisis.

53% are concerned about money and driving, with a quarter of drivers ruing their insurance costs.

Off the road

SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) applications are up 77% compared to last year. It comes as the cost of living crisis forces many drivers to evaluate just how affordable it is to keep their cars on the road.

The prices of insurance and fuel remain too high for many motorists to justify vehicle ownership. This is the conclusion of  Uswitch Car Insurance experts after surveying 2,000 British motorists. They asked about their concerns during the cost-of-living crisis, and the measures they have taken to reduce costs.

Cost of living crisis in motoring

Worried (net)

Not worried (net)

53%

45%

53% of British motorists expressed concerns about the cost of living crisis on their motoring habits. Furthermore, 39% of all motorists say they have considered giving up driving altogether due to the rising cost of fuel.

The average motorist is spending £4.12 more on fuel each week this year (£35.06) than last year (£30.94). It translates to an additional spending of £214.24 a year.

Concerns are particularly influencing 35-44-year-olds. Of these, 49% claimed they were likely to give up driving due to fuel costs. It is this age group that is experiencing the largest increase in fuel spending. They spend £5.73 more per week on average this year than last year, as weekly fuel costs rose from £33.93 to £39.66.

Premium prices

Insurance cost rises are pushing 25% of motorists to consider quitting driving. In fact, 15% of drivers have gone as far as registering a vehicle as a SORN to save money on their car insurance[5. However, despite rising concerns around the costs of insurance, just 33% of drivers surveyed said they had changed providers in the last year, potentially missing out on a more affordable plan.

How much have UK motorists’ insurance quotes gone up in the last year?[7]

 Responsible for at least one accident in the last year

Been in an accident in the last year, but were not responsible

Motorists that have not been in an accident in the last year

£155

£110

£68

Despite having not been in an accident in the last year, British motorists have seen their insurance quotes rise by an average of £68.

Quotes rose for all drivers regardless of age, although younger drivers have generally seen the largest increases. Those aged 17-24 saw their quotes increase by £97 on average, while those over 55 saw an average rise of just £49.

Drivers that have been in an accident, regardless of whether they were responsible, face the biggest rises. Those that were in a crash, but were not at fault, saw their quotes increase by an average of £110. Drivers that were responsible saw much higher rises, averaging £155 – 128% more than those that had not been involved in an accident in the last year.

Top tips

Leoni Moninska, Uswitch car insurance expert, believes there are ways drivers can keep their insurance costs lower.

“Car insurance is one of the largest expenditures for drivers, but even while costs are increasing, there are still ways to keep them affordable:

  • Consider your options in advance: Without intervention, it’s likely that your insurance will renew automatically – but this usually isn’t the best choice for your finances. Looking into your options far ahead of the end of your deal means you have the time to research and find the best deal ahead of your renewal.

  • Consider black box insurance: As part of black box cover, your insurer will equip your car with a GPS that can track the quality of your driving, and potentially reduce the cost of your premiums if you prove yourself as a careful driver.

  • Add a named driver: Introducing another driver to your policy, especially if you have only just passed your test, can bring the cost of your insurance down.

  • Protect your no-claims discount: For every year you drive without making a claim, your no-claims discount increases, up to a maximum of typically eight years. This discount can see huge savings on your insurance, so investing in protecting it could keep your premiums far lower in the long term, even if you do have to make a claim.”