One in four drivers automatically renew their car insurance without shopping around to see if they can get a better deal.

About 27 per cent of people said they stuck with their existing motor insurer, according to a survey.

Many mistakenly believing their loyalty would be rewarded, according to price comparison website Gocompare.com

As a result, 39 per cent of motorists have been with their current insurer for at least three years and five per cent have stuck with the same company for 10 or more years.

The main reason people gave for sticking with their existing insurer was loyalty at 29 per cent, while 26 per cent thought that because their provider offered the best deal the previous year that they would continue to do so.