Motor insurance premiums in the UK experienced a marginal increase in the first quarter of this year, with the average cost reaching £560. This figure is just £1 more than the final three months of 2025, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). However, the £560 average paid for motor cover remains £20 less than in the first quarter of 2025. The ABI reported that insurers paid out £2.9 billion in claims during the first three months of this year, with £1.9 billion specifically for vehicle repairs – a 3 per cent increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. The average accidental damage claim also surged to £3,699, an 8 per cent rise on the previous quarter. This escalation in repair costs is attributed by the ABI to higher parts prices and the increasing complexity of vehicles. Rising repair times, including those linked to supply chain disruption, further contribute, sometimes affecting costs such as vehicle hire.…