Drivers who have a black car pay more expensive insurance premiums with some insurers, research by the Dutch consumers’ association Consumentenbond shows.

The consumer watchdog compared premiums for four different types of car – a Toyota Aygo, Volkswagen Golf, Audu A6 and BMW X3 – in seven different colours and found wide differences in premiums.

For example, red cars with an all-risk insurance policy were cheaper with insurers Reaal, Route Mobiel and Zelf. Green cars were also cheaper in some cases. For example, a green Audi with no no-claims bonus cost €1,295 with Reaal but the premium for a black one was €1,423.

The difference in premiums between black and other coloured cars with third party insurance stretched to as much as 9% in some cases.

The three insurance companies told the watchdog research has shown that colour is a factor in estimating damage risks.

However, Route Mobiel and Zelf have since said colour will no longer be a factor in calculating premiums from May. Other car insurance companies do not take colour into account.