Over half of drivers – some 54% – say that the price of car insurance is the biggest obstacle when it come to purchasing a vehicle. More than 40% polled by Carzone.ie are not satisfied with their current premium, while almost half admitted they don’t fully understand their car finance options.

The stats follow hot-on-the heels of warnings from insurance provider FBD that further increases on premiums could be on the horizon. The cost of car insurance already rose 31% over the past 12 months.

Both AIG chief Declan O’Rourke and Insurance Ireland CEO Kevin Thompson have recently stated that the majority of Irish insurance payouts are for injuries related to whiplash, at an average cost of €15,000. There have been calls for the banning of such claims to reduce premiums across the board.

Elsewhere in the Carzone.ie poll, German manufacturers were found to be the most popular with Volkswagen, BMW and Audi forming the top three. Black is the preferred choice of colour when choosing a new motor.