The stereotypes are true: many women struggle when parking, but men are the more dangerous drivers overall, a survey of claims by an insurance company has discovered.

According to the claims of Diamond Insurance, which specialises in policies for women, the fairer sex is almost twice as likely as men to have a collision in a car park, 23% more likely to hit a stationary vehicle and 15% more likely to reverse into another vehicle.

But the average insurance claim for men is more than £300 higher than for women - £2,156 compared to £1,790. More men are involved in head-on collisions, they kill more pedestrians, are 27% more likely to hit a barrier or wall, and are responsible for 98% of all dangerous driving convictions.

However, Diamond, which is owned by Admiral Insurance, believes that the gap between the sexes could be closing.

It states on its website: 'The difference between the sexes is at its height in the late teens and twenties. Over 30 and things tend to even out and men over 75 are often regarded as the safer risk. Things could well change though.'