Written answers

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Motor Insurance Regulation

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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1589. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce legislation compelling motor insurance companies to insure vehicles that are 15 years or older and have valid national car test certification, and not to victimise persons who possess what may be perfectly sound motor cars who insurance companies are informing that they will not quote them insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30592/15]

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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1599. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the decision by Aviva and Allianz insurance companies to cease insuring cars over 15 years of age; his further views that this will result in many car drivers being unable to insure their cars; if he will consider intervening in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30773/15]

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1603. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that insurance companies will no longer be providing quotes for cars that are aged 14 years or older and 15 years or older respectively; and his views on this policy. [30807/15]

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1638. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to meet with providers of insurance companies to discuss recent decisions by some insurers not to take on new business where a person is seeking to insure a car aged 15 years or more; if he will ask insurers to review this decision and recognise that the NCT is the statutory provision for determining roadworthiness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31897/15]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1589, 1599, 1603 and 1638 together.

My role in the matter of motor insurance relates to legislation under the EU Motor Insurance Directives and the Road Traffic Acts. The primary requirement in the EU Motor Insurance Directives and the Road Traffic Acts regarding motor insurance is that the driver of the vehicle is covered by third party insurance.  I have no role regarding the legal framework for insurance regulation or for the regulation of insurance companies, which is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance and the Central Bank respectively.

The provision of motor insurance is a matter for the motor insurance companies operating in a competitive market. At present there are over 30 insurers writing motor insurance in Ireland, as listed on the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland website.  The policies of individual insurance companies are a matter for those companies themselves.  I have no powers to intervene in the conduct of insurance companies and no role in the pricing or setting of motor insurance terms and conditions.

Insurance Ireland operates a free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. If a person is unable to obtain a quotation for motor insurance or feels that the premium proposed or the terms are so excessive that it amounts to a refusal to give them motor insurance, they should contact Insurance Ireland, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1 Tel. 01.6761820 quoting the Declined Cases Agreement. Under the Agreement, the Declined Cases Committee of Insurance Ireland deals with any cases of difficulty in obtaining motor insurance.

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