Bradford has once again seen the biggest hike in car insurance premiums in the country, with prices rising by almost 60 per cent during the past year, according to a comparison website.

The city topped Confused.com’s index, with average premiums rising by 58 per cent – or £349.70 – since last October.

This compares to an average rise of 38 per cent across the country during the past 12 months, with the cost of a typical comprehensive policy increasing by £177. Bradford also saw the largest yearly rise in the cost of car insurance in July, when average premiums had increased by 49.4 per cent from £570 to £851 year-on-year.

But the comparison site said that while premiums rose strongly again, they are showing signs of slowing.

Darren Black, head of motoring at Confused.com, said: “While it is undoubtedly more bad news for consumers, there is potentially light at the end of the tunnel with the hikes seemingly losing momentum.

“Once again young drivers have borne the brunt of increasing premiums, suffering across the board with rises in their age group and in the type of insurance they choose.

“Young male drivers continue to suffer higher premiums than their female counterparts and there has been recent call for gender bias to be removed. It is important to note, however, that women do not pay less for their premiums because of positive discrimination but based on statistical evidence suggesting that, on average, they have smaller, less expensive accidents.”

In July, the Telegraph & Argus reported that motorist Mark Watts, of Bolton, Bradford had seen his car insurance premium rise by almost £1,000 when he inquired about renewing his policy with Esure and was told the company no longer wanted the business of Bradford drivers. Esure denied it did not want to insure people in the city and branded the advice from one of its staff “a disgrace”.