New research by car insurance specialists suggests female drivers in Northern Ireland and the wider UK are savvier about cars and motoring than many give them credit for.

Out of over 4,000 women questioned by female car insurance firm Diamond, 44 per cent admitted they enjoy chatting about cars with their friends, while two-thirds revealed they are fans of motoring show Top Gear.

Just under three-quarters said they can confidently check their own oil, water and tyre pressure. The car insurance specialist's study also revealed that under three per cent of female drivers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK would choose a vehicle based on its colour.

"Our research shows many of the stereotypes you hear about women drivers are very much outdated and untrue," remarked Sian Lewis, Diamond's managing director. "Today's generation of women drivers keep up to date with the motoring world, make informed motoring choices and take efforts to look after their wheels."

Lewis went on to reveal a quarter of the women questioned make sure they do the necessary vehicle checks before a long journey, with just 27 per cent claiming they never carry out a service because they don't know how.

Car insurance claims in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK go up by an average of 11 per cent after British Summer Time ends each year, it is claimed.

Researchers at Zurich Connect came to the conclusion after monitoring car insurance claims over wintertime clock changes for the past three years.

They are now urging car insurance customers in Northern Ireland and the wider UK to take extra care on the roads, commenting that Daylight Saving has become "a dark week" on Britain's roads as accidents shoot up.

"It's possible that drivers get used to driving their regular routes in broad daylight, then find it hard to adjust to suddenly doing the same journey at the same time, but in the dark," said the car insurance specialist's Mike Quinton.

"Couple this with the fact that autumnal weather is often wet and windy, and the risk of having an accident on the road is significantly increased."

Some of the firm's top considerations for car insurance customers in Northern Ireland are to keep vehicle windows clean to reduce the glare from oncoming headlights, keep headlights free from dirt, check tyres regularly and keep washer fluid topped up.

Car insurance experts have reminded motorists in Northern Ireland not to neglect basic car maintenance checks during the darker winter months, after British Summer Time ended at the weekend.

According to over-50s car insurance specialists at RIAS, a fifth of drivers across Northern Ireland and the wider UK put their safety at risk by not taking vehicle precautions in the winter.

Such precautions include regularly checking oil levels, brake fluid, tyre tread, wiper blades and water levels.

Janet Connor, managing director at the car insurance provider, says that now the nation has "waved goodbye to summer", it is more important than ever to spend a few minutes each month checking over cars.

"The darker conditions can make it difficult to judge both speed and distance, so by adjusting to the season and performing regular checks, motorists can avoid both accidents and financial headaches," she notes.

As well as making sure brakes are in good condition and have sufficient fluid, ensuring that tyre condition and pressure are correct and checking the windscreen is clean, clear and has plenty of screenwash, RIAS recommends using high gears if there is snow and ice and allowing extra time for journeys to avoid rushing.

Car insurance customers in Northern Ireland and the wider UK lodge more claims for accidental damage in winter than any other season.

Research by car insurance provider Saga also reveals that a large proportion of motorists in Northern Ireland and the rest of the country are worried about driving in the dark when clocks go back at the weekend.

More than 2,000 adults were polled, a fifth of whom admit to driving less during winter in an attempt to avoid the dark. A similar proportion choose to shop online rather than venture out in the winter evenings.

Saga Group's executive chairman, Andrew Goodsell, remarked that hitting the road in the dark "is clearly a worry" for a significant number of motorists in Northern Ireland.

Turning specifically to motorists over the age of 50, the car insurance firm's spokesperson continued: "Our research shows the over-50s use their experience to adapt their driving to reflect conditions on the road and, as you would expect, have fewer accidents than other age groups."

Some of the reasons given by motorists for avoiding driving in the dark include "being blinded by other people's lights" and not being able to judge distance properly.

Car insurance customers in Northern Ireland are being hit with the fastest-rising premiums in 15 years, with younger drivers most affected.

The latest British Insurance Premium Index from AA Insurance shows the average quoted comprehensive car insurance premium for motorists in Northern Ireland and the wider UK has gone up 5.6 per cent in the last three months alone, while third party and theft quotes have risen 9.3 per cent.

Simon Douglas, AA Insurance director, says it's the fastest quarterly jump since the Index – compiled by analysing 90 insurance firm and broker quotes – was first produced in 1994.

"Most drivers will be seeing sharp increases when they renew their annual insurance premiums," he warns, explaining that much of the rise is caused by fraud, theft, uninsured motorists and the costs incurred through a surge in personal injury claims.

"I estimate that across the industry, up to £110 is being paid in claims for every £100 taken in premiums," he observes, concluding that insurers "have little choice" but to increase premiums.

The average quoted premium for an annual comprehensive car insurance policy is now more than £821, compared to £778 in July 2009 and £721 in October 2008.