Average car insurance premiums have risen at more than three times the rate of inflation in the past year, according to Canstar’s annual survey.

There are large variations between states – the highest average premium is in NSW/ACT ($1464, up 4.55% from last year) and the lowest is in Tasmania ($813, up 11.75%).

Premiums also differ significantly by age group, with under-25s paying the most (average $1361) and mature drivers the least ($782).

Two insurers – Budget Direct and QBE – were found to provide outstanding value across Australia.

“Both insurers rank highly across pricing and features,” Canstar Head of Research, Product and Strategy Steve Mickenbecker said.

“Additional recognition is also due to Budget Direct, which has [won] our top award since we started rating car insurance in 2007.”

As well as national awards, the financial researcher’s report also recognises best-value insurers at state level.

Budget Direct ranks first in Victoria, NSW, WA and Tasmania. NRMA is top in Queensland and SGIC is the winner in SA.

Canstar has also released the results of its customer satisfaction survey, which shows 76% of Australians who had a car accident in the past three years were either satisfied or very satisfied with their claims experience.

For the second year in a row QBE customers were the happiest claimants.

The premium study examined 61 policies from 42 institutions across the country.