The average cost of comprehensive car and home insurance has risen slightly over the past quarter, according to Britain's biggest home and motor insurance broker.
There has been a small increase in average premiums for home insurance, according to the AA. Over the past quarter, the average cost of buildings insurance rose by just £1.44.
"That's a rise of about two-thirds of a percent to a market average of just over £208.50," says John Close, general manager, AA Insurance Services.
"Contents cover also rose by nearly half a percent to £151," he added.
"Insurers say the number of people calling them with concerns about subsidence - one effect of prolonged dry weather - is unusually high and it's likely that the rise we are seeing is a result of that," says Close. "There have also been some damaging storms and localised flooding this winter. That puts pressure on insurance premiums, too."
Car insurance premiums have shown a long-term rising trend but the rate of increase appears to be slowing, according to the AA Index.
The typical premium now quoted for comprehensive cover is over £777. This is a quarter of a per cent rise compared with a 1 per cent rise over the previous quarter. The market average for non-comprehensive insurance fell slightly by 0.19 per cent.
Close says that the growing number of internet insurers as well as those selling through supermarkets is helping to keep both car and home insurance premiums down.
