WEE COUNTY residents are among those being charged the most for car insurance, according to a recent survey.

An insurance price index, compiled by Confused.com, found the highest renewal premiums are found in central Scotland with the average price being £702 per year.

The second highest premiums can be found in the Borders region at a cost of £684 per year. The Highlands and Islands follows that at £645.

Some regions of Scotland have been hit harder than others, in particular the Scottish Borders, which has seen the biggest annual and quarterly price increases of any area in the UK.

Since this time last year, premiums in the region have shot up by an eye-watering 32 per cent (£164), and 12 per cent (£76) in the last quarter to £684, on average.

This is the most expensive premium on record for the region and 69 per cent more expensive than 10 years ago, with trends suggesting prices are only going to increase further.

But it is not only motorists in the Scottish Borders who have seen their car insurance prices ramp up over the past year.

Drivers living in central Scotland have seen their premiums accelerate by 20 per cent (£118) in the past year to £702 – the most expensive average premium of any Scottish region and the second steepest annual increase in the UK.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said: "For many years, drivers in Scotland have had some of the cheapest premiums in the UK, although some have faced some seriously big increases this past year.

"Motorists living in the Scottish Borders in particular have seen their premiums increase by up 32 per cent, almost a third more than they were paying last year.

"It is also one of the only regions in the UK to have experienced a significant increase the past quarter alone, whereas many have seen their premiums remain steady.

"Car insurance across the board is on course to be the most expensive on record by 2018. We urge drivers to shop around to see if they can get a better deal, as automatically renewing premiums can work out more expensive.

"In fact, as many as half of drivers could save up to £2891 by shopping around and comparing prices online."