Despite two government reports into the cost of motor insurance premiums continue to rise writes Geraldine Herbert
According to the CSO motor premiums were 2.6% lower in April compared with a year earlier while CSO figures in May reflected an 8.6% decrease in Motor Premium compared to May 2016.
But it seems many motorists are still experiencing an increase when renewing. We recently asked people to get in touch with their current quotes and below are a selection of responses we got
Examples
- Female 48 151D Nissan Pulsar. 16,000. 25 years full licence. Full no claims bonus. No points on licence. Last year €526. This year €829
- Male driver €1326.73! No penalty points or claims, last year quoted €880.12 in 2015 it was €434,58 and in 2014 €380.20 which was down somewhat from 2013’s premium which came in at €493.60
- Male Driving licence: Full UK, Years of Experience: 20 years, Age of Car: 2016, No Claims Bonus: Full /10 year plus / never made a claim, Insurance cost in 2016 €439, Insurance cost in 2017 €577- Same car/same insurance company over the 2 years.
- Female 40s – Over 15 years driving experience, no points, no claims.. double quote price – car is only 5 years old! when I challenged them they said my car grouping has changed, because my car is 5 years old, it’s age and it’s “reliability and safety” that the premium increased.
- My insurance up €150 to €1200, letter in door this morning, 00 D Ford Focus, I am 43, no claims in 23 years driving.
- Male 50s I have 30 yrs accident free – drive a jeep, my insurance up €300 to almost €1400.
- Female – I got €495 with 15 years no claims bonus reduced to 9 years with its4women, 2 years ago same car and same driver were €230 a year.
- Female – my insurance went up this year from 390 to 840!!!!! and no my personal circumstances did not change from one year to the next. Full no claims bonus and driving in my own name for over 25 years.
- Male – Full Licence, 19 years of experience, 30 year old car
9 years no claims bonus
Cost of premium in 2015: €351.31
Cost of premium in 2016: €854.09
Cost of premium in 2017: €1456.27
All drivers are legally required to have private motor insurance so it is the responsibility of the State ensure that motorists can avail of reasonably priced premiums.
Five things the government could be doing to tackle the cost of motor insurance premiums
- Tackle the issue of fraudulent claims by bringing in legislation that would result in imprisonment or fines.
- Ensure claimants accept the compensation they are offered and are not encouraged to go to court.
- Reduce the cost of settling soft tissue/whiplash claims (two-thirds of all claims activity) as it is currently three times higher than in the UK.
- Compensate minor and short-term personal injuries with rehabilitation and medical care only and not cash payments.
- Make cars safer by making all safety features on cars tax exempt or at the very least reduce the rate of VAT and/or VRT on safety related equipment and technology.
Geraldine Herbert
9th July, 2017
