Men paying more for car insurance in Black Country - study reveals

Wolverhampton tops the list, where men pay an average of £736.22 a year, compared to £611.05 for women. This represents a difference of £125.17, or 20 per cent.

Next up comes Walsall, where men pay £665.45 compared to £553.67 for women, representing a difference of £111.78, or 20 per cent.

Finally comes Dudley, where men pay £611.14 compared to £498.54 for women. This represents a difference of 23 per cent, or £112.60.

Figures were released for the Midlands area. Birmingham topped the list for the West Midlands, where men paid £867.13 compared to £707.40 for women. This was a difference of £159.73 or 23 per cent.

Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, had the lowest figures. There, men paid £368.95 for car insurance, compared to £333.94 for women. This represented a difference of £35.01, or 10 per cent.

The research was carried out by price comparison website MoneySuperMarket.

Dave Merrick, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: "Whilst insurance providers cannot legally discriminate based on gender, other rating factors – such as the car you drive and your occupation – will influence the price you pay.

"Our data shows that men typically drive cars in higher insurance groups and work in professions that attract a higher insurance premium, pushing up the cost of their insurance.

"No matter your personal circumstances, there are a number of things you can do that may help to reduce the cost of your insurance. For example, parking your car in a secure location, fitting an alarm and reducing your mileage are all ways to bring costs down.

"Shopping around for a better deal can also save you up to £2,702. It’s vital to ensure your policy doesn’t auto-renew as this can sometimes lead to an increase in your premium."

For more information, visit moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/why-do-women-pay-less