If you're a regular reader of newspaper money pages or consumer websites, it might feel like the topic of rising car insurance prices keeps cropping up.

Although car insurance prices can vary due to a number of reasons, we thought it would be handy for you to know some of the factors that could affect the price you receive - from age and driving experience to where you live and your claims history - we give you the lowdown on what could drive your price.

We take a look the factors that affect the price that you’re quoted:

Your age and driving experience

As you get older and you’ve held your driving licence for longer, you’re considered to be more experienced on the roads. Some believe that statistically you’re less likely to be involved in an accident so you can expect to pay a lower price.

Younger drivers, aged between 17 and 25, typically face paying the highest premiums.

Elderly drivers are also seen to be a higher risk because the chance of you being involved in an accident increases in later life.

Your job

Your career might mean that you spend more time driving your car for business use or you use it to commute to work during the week. It’s important you select the right level of cover and that you provide an accurate estimated annual mileage.

Two similar job titles can provide two very different prices so make sure to be as accurate as you can when entering your job title.

Where you live

If you live in a built-up area where the risk of accidents is generally greater, then you’ll pay more for your car insurance. It might be a well-known accident blackspot or you might have a dangerous road junction in your town, or you could live near a road with high levels of vehicle crime.

It can vary between nearby postcodes. A car owner who lives on a busy main road may have to pay higher prices because more accidents have been reported there than in the cul-de-sac round the corner.

Your claims history

If you’ve made a claim within the last five years this will have an impact on the price quoted.

Your car

A little run about is not only cheaper to run but also cheaper to insure for most people. A larger engine or newer car is typically more expensive to repair. They are also more attractive to car thieves so you can expect to pay more to insure it.

Alarms, immobilisers and other built-in security devices may help reduce your premium. Thatcham Research, the motor insurers’ automotive search centre, has some handy tips on their website.

Points on your driving licence

If you have points on your driving licence, this will have an impact on the price quoted.

The type of cover

You'd think that the higher the level of cover you go for, the more you’ll pay but this isn’t always the case. It’s worth checking the price for each level of cover on offer as well as making sure the one you select meets your needs.

Increase your excess

You can reduce your premium by increasing the voluntary excess to an amount you’re able to pay on top of the compulsory excess if you need to make a claim.

It’s not all about you…

It’s also important to remember that your insurance policy doesn’t just provide cover for your car – it’s also there to protect other road users against accidents you might cause.

Police Mutual offers car insurance for serving or retired Police Officers and Staff, Specials and their families. For more information about Police Mutual Car Insurance and how you could benefit, click here or call 0151 242 7640.

Police Mutual Car Insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.

PMGI Limited, trading as Police Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 114942. Registered in England & Wales No. 1073408. Registered office: 55 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0RL.