There is bad news for motorists, as insurance premiums look set to rise this year.

The Irish Independent is reporting that the increase could be as much as 20%, on top of a rise last year of 12%.

For a family paying €800 for two cars, that is expected to equate to an increase of about €100.

While younger drivers will be the hardest hit.

But higher insurance costs are being countered by falls in petrol and diesel at the pumps.

Petrol now costs just under 11 cent a litre less than it did a month ago - and diesel prices have dropped by around 10 cent a litre.

A fuel price survey from the AA shows that as the cost of oil on world markets continues to fall, the cost of motor fuels is also dropping.

However, it is believed insurers are losing money on policies because of higher levels of road deaths, more collision and injury claims - and the added expense of lawyers getting involved in injury cases.

Personal finance editor with the Irish Independent, Charlie Weston, explains.