Male drivers are expensive to insure because they make the biggest claims as a result forcing car insurance companies into major losses, it has been claimed.

According to AA Insurance, a young male driver makes an average claim of nearly £4,500 while women motorists in the same age group only pay £2,700, a difference of £1,800. The insurer says that policy holders aged above 30 claim £3,000 less which means men end up paying £1,400 and women are charged £1,200.

In October the AA's British Insurance Industry Index showed that last year, premiums increased across the board with the average premium for annual comprehensive cover up by 7.6% to reach £724.28.

However, for young drivers insurance companies are increasingly shying away from offering them quote for Third Party Fire & Theft. Reports suggest that Allianz is the latest high-profile insurer to pull out of the market.

Young male drivers are twice as likely to be killed or injured on the roads compared to other motorists and men under 21 are 10 times more likely to be involved in an accident than those above the age of 35.

On the other hand, women are said to be much safer drivers as they are only five times more likely to have an accident than women aged 35 or over.