Motorists are banding together to fight price rises. Picture: Thinkstock

GEN-Xers face big car-insurance premium increases — but under-25s are being spared — as 15,000 people band together to fight price rises.

The cost of motor cover for owners aged 30-49 has increased by 13 per cent in NSW and South Australia, eight per cent in Queensland and 15 per cent in Victoria. For a small-sized car this adds about $120 a year to a premium in NSW, $95 in SA, $50 in Queensland and $130 in Victoria.

Inexperienced drivers face no increase in NSW or Queensland and rises of just four per cent in SA and Victoria. They do, however, still have to pay 150 to 200 per cent more for coverage.

The research is by leading financial service analysts Canstar. Its spokeswoman Justine Davies encouraged drivers to shop around.

The cost of motor cover for owners is increasing around the country. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

“There is a lot of competition in the car insurance industry and there are plenty of insurers that offer both good quality products and good discounts for new customers,” Ms Davies said.

But she warned that not all policies are created equal.

“There’s a big difference between cheap and good value and cheap and nasty,” she said. “That’s a difference you don’t want to discover at the time you go to make a claim.”

On the flip side, One Big Switch campaign director Joel Gibson said it had found price differences of as much as 80 per cent more for similar cover.

“On home and car insurance it’s very hard to shop around,” Mr Gibson said. “The Federal Government has built energy and health insurance comparison websites. They’ve worked very successfully and give consumers the power to make good decisions.

“We think something similar would give consumers of home and car insurance the ability to know if they are paying hundreds of dollars too much.”

One Big Switch and News Corp Australia have set up petitions seeking an independent, comprehensive general insurance comparison site. Thousands have signed on in support.

Political powerbroker Nick Xenophon is referring the comparison site proposal to the Senate Economics Committee for law reform recommendations.

Joel Gibson, campaign director of One Big Switch said it’s hard for people to shop around for car insurance. Picture: SuppliedSource:News Corp Australia

The Federal Opposition has now indicated it thinks the idea has merit.

“Labor is open to any sensible reform which improves consumers’ access to information and which promotes confidence in the insurance industry,” said Labor’s financial services spokeswoman Katy Gallagher.

Financial Services Minister Kelly O’Dwyer made no comment.

Major insurers oppose the move.

And about 15,000 people have joined the Big Insurance Switch in the first week of the campaign, which seeks group-discounts on home and car cover. The goal is to gather 30,000 backers by later this month.

Canstar’s Ms Davies said it was important to note that its comparison only covered a few suburbs.

To sign the petition and for more information on the Big Insurance Switch go to www.onebigswitch.com.au.

There is no obligation to take up any offer. News Corp Australia and One Big Switch will earn a commission from any accepted deals. News Corp is a shareholder of One Big Switch.