New laws come into force on Friday (21 December) banning companies from taking gender into account.

The insurance industry are predicting premiums could rise by 25 percent.

It also means insurance for young men, who usually pay more, could drop by a large amount to bring them in line.

Hazel Bond, 19, lives with her mum and uses her car to get to work.

"It's much easier in the car and the buses in my area aren't very regular.

"They don't run in the evenings so it would be a bit impossible to get the bus."

In February she is off to university.

Boys do have more accidents. I don't think it's fair to put the girls up by so much Hazel Bond, 19

"I start a three-year course in nursing in Brighton, so I really need my car for placements.

"I'll be travelling around to different hospitals, there's also community placements so I need to get around to other people's houses."

Hazel's been driving for a year and a half and pays around £900 for her insurance.

She was hoping with her experience the price would start to come down instead of going up.

"Out of all my friends, I'd say I am one of the most cautious drivers. I haven't had any accidents, nicks or bumps."

Rising premiums

In August, Hazel began to get worried about the price increase and started looking at quotes for when she renews her insurance next year.

Between August and December one quote rose by £400. On average they went up by £83.

Hazel doesn't think it is right.

"I can see why they want to make the genders equal but just in my friend group, boys do have more accidents. I don't think it's fair to put the girls up by so much."

It is young male drivers who may benefit from this.

In the past they have tended to have the highest premiums because they have the most accidents.

The Department of Transport said male drivers under 25 were involved in more than 24,000 accidents in 2011 - 10,000 more than women of the same age.

As for Hazel, she says she is worried about heading off to university next year.

"I am not really sure what to do, I have heard it might be quite good to go to a broker to find a better quote but otherwise I am not sure I can afford to run my car."

Young female drivers could see their car insurance go up by as much as £2,000.