A significant number of people are considering switching cars to ensure they pay less for car insurance, new research has revealed.

The study by the RAC discovered that the cost of motoring has increased by 19 per cent in the last year.

According to the organisation's report, the cost of taking out car insurance for an average car has risen from £446 in 2007 to £483 this year.

Consequently, almost one in five people are considering switching to a vehicle in a lower car insurance band, the RAC noted.

Adrian Tink, motoring strategy at the RAC, said: "With the credit crunch hitting motorists hard in their pocket, we encourage UK drivers now more than ever to take all potential financial implications of car running costs into account to better manage their budgets."

For those seeking cheaper car insurance, Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive at the British Insurance Brokers' Association, advised seeking the guidance of an insurance broker.

They will be in a position to find more "affordable" insurance premiums, he added.

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