Women who make sure that they are the only drivers of their vehicle will be charged lower premiums than their male counterparts - as they are better drivers, a leading industry body has said.

Controversy has surrounded the issue of lower premiums for female drivers in recent times and several claims that the practice is discriminatory have been made to the EU - but underwriting processes have determined that such policies is based on statistical evidence, says the Institute of Insurance Brokers.

"Lady drivers tend to have less very serious accidents than men, but they tend to get more little dents and bangs," Andrew Paddick, Director General of the Institute of Insurance Brokers, said.

"Lady drivers, by and large, are less aggressive drivers than males between 17 and 35 or 40, they tend to be a bit more careful."

Mr Paddick went on to state the importance of getting a good deal - and female drivers can do this by making sure that they are the "only driver of the vehicle to be insured", he said.