Longford is the most expensive county in Ireland for car insurance, with motorists there forking out an average of €783 on a policy.
Longford and Louth are the only counties where comprehensive insurance premiums top €700, while drivers in Limerick, Cavan and Offaly also face some of the heftiest bills in the country.
The research, by Chill Insurance, found that bills in Waterford are the lowest, at €549, with premiums in Kilkenny, Wicklow, Wexford and Cork also among the most affordable.
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Analysts noted that motorists in some more rural counties have been hit with higher bills – a trend, they say, that could be due to a higher rate of claims in those particular parts of the country.
Meanwhile, motorists looking to put a significant dent in their premiums should opt for popular vehicles such as a Dacia, Nissan Qashqai, Toyota Corolla or Skoda Octavia, all of which carry an average premium of below €600.
According to the findings, Dacia comes in as the cheapest out of all car brands to insure.
Amongst the more expensive vehicles are brands like Suzuki and Mitsubishi, while models such as an Audi A4, VW Golf and VW Polo all top €700.
Researchers also noted that younger drivers face hugely inflated premiums, with those under 19 facing the biggest bills of €1,987.
Motorists between the ages of 20 and 29 splash out an average of €988, while drivers in the 60-69 age bracket pay just €461.
Occupation also plays a key role in what premiums pay, with clerks, pensioners and gardai enjoying the lowest bills.
Chill’s Neil Curry said: “Car insurance is individually calculated and dependent on numerous factors, as it is essentially all about risk.
“Your choice of vehicle will also play into your insurance costs, as providers consider things including the value of the car, its age, and how susceptible it is to accidents.
“Occupation also plays a role. For example, a job in an office is considered to have a shorter commute and less time on the road, bringing insurance costs down.
“Our study found on average that if you are a 60 to 69-year-old clerk from Waterford driving a Dacia, you will likely have cheaper insurance costs. However, if you’re under 19 in Longford driving a Polo, expect higher premiums.”
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