Endsleigh cuts rates

Endsleigh Insurance has cut its motor insurance rates for existing policyholders and new clients to challenge the direct insurers.

Premium reductions start at 9 per cent and could reach 50 per cent. Existing policyholders will have to wait for the renewal of their policy before they can take advantage of the premium reductions.

For example, for a 27-year-old computer programmer comprehensive cover on a Vauxhall Cavalier in London drops from pounds 585 to pounds 345 - a reduction of 41 per cent.

Endsleigh is a big insurer of students - comprehensive insurance for a student who is a first-time driver with a Ford Fiesta in London falls from pounds 899 to pounds 734 - a drop of 18.4 per cent.