Young men are finally seeing their car insurance premiums fall. Insurers have reacted to a controversial equality decision from the EU with several new "young driver" policies, but sceptics say the respite won't last.

The European Court of Justice recently ruled that insurers will not be able to charge different premiums on the basis of gender, despite statistics showing that young male drivers are twice as likely to crash as young women.

But according to the Daily Telegraph, insurance premiums for men under 24 are already dropping as a result of the decision, which comes into effect in December next year.

Insurance companies are revising their pricing structures well ahead of the change; the AA has suggested that there has already been a 6% average fall in premiums for both sexes, so women are benefitting from the changes too.

Simon Douglas, a director at AA Insurance, says the recession will also contribute to further falls in the new year.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "The seven-year insurance cycle topping out has coincided with a bad recession. Something had to give."

At the same time, insurers like the Co-op and IKube have launched "young drivers" policies, which usually involve the installation of a black box which monitors how fast you drive, how you take corners and how quickly you accelerate and brake.

The policy then rewards safe driving with reduced premiums and cashback.

But critics say that many car insurers are trying to lure young customers ahead of the big shake-up next December, when premiums will invariably rise. Subsequently, young drivers will already be dependent on their cars and have no choice but to pay up.