I HAVE just received my car insurance renewal. Now, I am a driver with more than 50 years no claims, a clean driving licence, a low-risk 1300 car with no expensive equipment to tempt anyone, in pristine condition, only local driving and still not 26,000 clocked.

Nowadays I only average 1,500 miles annually. Yet every year the rate shoots up well above any no-claims bonus in reverse!

This year the difference on my comprehensive policy is £30 - up some 20 per cent. I ring for some sensible explanation only to be told "all insurance companies have this year had to radically up the rates, due mainly to vehicle thefts and break-ins."

But this has happened year on year, well above inflation. I think they're still paying out on the Titanic claimants!

OK, there are some high-risk customers - charge them, not the careful drivers especially OAPs who really need the help of a car for transport.

Isn't it time the Government appointed a watchdog for insurance abusers. It's all right saying shop around. They run a cartel and the rates are very little different or you have to deal over the phone with some remote firm who may not be here tomorrow.

Surely at a time when inflation is at its lowest and you have a customer with risk factor at a similar low it hardly warrants a massive 20 per cent increase, especially for a car some eight years old and of ever-decreasing value?

E. Wilson, Legh Street, Newton-le-Willows

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.