New car insurance data has revealed that December is the most expensive month to insure your car. 

MoneySuperMarket.com found that it was 15 per cent more expensive to insure a car in December compared to in February. 

Drivers who chose to insure their car in February could save £99.65 on average compared to just two months earlier. 

The price comparison website analysed over seven million car insurance quotes between January 2015 and October 2017 to identify trends and price fluctuations. 

The average full comprehensive policy taken out in December 2016 cost £644, while in February 2018 it cost £544.43.  

It was a similar story in the previous year for the same two months. 

Those who took out a policy in December 2015 paid £582.26 for a fully comprehensive policy, compared to £496.01 just two months later in February 2016 – a saving of £86.25 or 14.81 per cent.

Premium prices have risen on average by nine per cent over the past two years, reveals the new data.

Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, commented: “Savvy car-buyers often wait until December to track down a bargain - they know dealers will want to maximise sales before the end of the year, and so might be willing to offer a deeper discount than at other times. 

“But the downside to this tactic is that insurance is more expensive in December, eating into your purchase price savings.

“It pays not to settle for the price you are quoted by your existing insurer at whatever time of year, but especially in December. 

“If you use a price comparison site such as MoneySuperMarket to shop around, you’ll see dozens of quotes from leading providers, and the likelihood is you’ll have a wide selection that are quoting less than your present insurer. 

“We calculate most people can save £286 by switching insurer at renewal.”