Insurance industry body the Association of British Insurers (ABI), has released new guiding points for car insurance customers who shop for policies online.

The guidelines were developed alongside a consumer expert body and a selection of insurance comparison sites.

The guidance comes at a time when an increasing number of motorists now turn to the internet to purchase car insurance.

New guidelines are aimed at helping these new breed of consumers to identify the right car, van or motorbike policy for their individual requirements.

Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance, said that using the online sites can help car insurance customers in procuring "the best policy at the most competitive price".

"But the ease and speed of going online must be balanced with ensuring that people understand the terms, conditions and cover of the policies they are comparing," he noted.

Using the newly released guidance, car insurance customers will be able to receive help with reviewing a particular policy, segregating the features being sold as add-ons and understanding the level of any voluntary or compulsory excess included in a policy.

The guide also includes a referrals section which helps consumers who have been refused a quote to determine alternative sources of help, such as specialist providers.