My last quote went up by 35% for the second year, despite NEVER claiming on any insurance and having no points. Searching everywhere online and via a few brokers and independents I know got me pretty much nowhere.

What did it for me was when I asked my insurer for a quote for the Mrs' car - smaller engine, lower bhp, lower insurance group.
"That works out as the same price."
"How exactly do you work that out?"
"Erm, it just is."
*chuckle*
As it happens we both work from home and don't need 2 cars so I sold mine and stopped the DD. They somehow worked out I owed them £75 but after a few letters they stopped chasing.

The entire car insurance industry is as corrupt as they come and a total rip-off.

Hah. I pay £1700 a year, probably at least 3x more than what most people on here pay. I do facepalm quite a lot when I hear people complaining about a £20 rise in their premium.

You pay that for a reason, others are used to more reasonable rates where the price does down over time.