(Reuters.) – In Britain, the cost of comprehensive auto insurance hit an 18-month-high in the first quarter. The rising inflation rate and regulatory changes will drive up the price of coverages in Britain. A survey released on Thursday showed that this trend is likely to continue.

According to Confused.com, the most recent index from Willis Towers Watson and price comparison website Confused.com, motorists in Britain now need to fork out approximately 550 Pounds ($718.08) to purchase comprehensive vehicle insurance.

The fall in car insurance premiums was due to lockdowns that kept drivers off the road and increased competition within the UK’s auto insurance market.

“As people return to more normal patterns of work and life, we are seeing those reductions in premiums gradually unwind,” said Tim Rourke, UK Head of P&C Pricing, Product, Claims and Underwriting at WTW.

Rourke predicts that premiums in the UK will rise as a result of high inflation. Rourke and other insurers are also facing new rules from Financial Conduct Authority, which ensures consumers don’t pay more for renewing their policies than they do for new customers.

Inflation in Britain rose to 7% in March. It was the highest rate since 1992.

Confused.com’s CEO Louise O’Shea said that “Prices may continue to rise simply because insurers might be facing more claims last year as people begin to drive more often, which just means that this just means that insurers will need to be as competive as possible.”

“Consumers will have to keep shopping around as renewal prices are likely to rise.”

The survey revealed that drivers aged 18 and over continue to be the highest-priced of all age groups, with their average premiums rising to 1,419 Pounds.

($1 = 0.7659 pounds)