Consumers who buy their car insurance directly from the manufacturer pay ten per cent more than if they went to an underwriter, new research from uSwitch.com shows.

On average, consumers pay £30 more to buy insurance from the car manufacturer than the underwriter, which makes companies £15 million a year.

Many car makers offer insurance deals with the vehicles they sell and according to the price comparison site, on average motorists pay £93 more by not looking for the best one available, meaning they overpay by nearly £48 million a year.

Ashton Berkhauer, insurance expert at uSwitch.com said: "Motorists tempted to opt for 'on the spot' manufacturer insurance must be warned that unless they are getting a full year for free they will be paying more than they need to for their cover."

He advises consumers to search for the best price around for the degree of cover they require.

Motorists who find the cost of their car insurance expensive as a result of their profession can pursue discounted cover with help form their trade union or association.

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