James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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167. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is aware of insurance companies which do not provide commercial car insurance quotes due to a person residing outside of the State for two or more consecutive years, and that certain insurance companies (details supplied) do not accept no claims bonus certificates from other European Union member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10395/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation but cannot interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products.  The EU framework for insurance expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing, or terms and conditions of an insurance product.  

The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered, including the granting of no claims discounts, is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks.  These are considered by insurance companies on a case by case basis.  

Insurance Ireland, which represents the insurance industry in Ireland, has informed me that, in general terms, where there has been no motor insurance in an individual's name and there is a gap of cover of two years or more since their last insurance, the no claims discount is deemed invalid. However, Insurance Ireland has further stated that if the individual can produce confirmation that they were continually insured and are claims free in their own name while they were away, this would be taken into consideration.

Insurance Ireland operates a free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. In the event that 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, Telephone +353 1 6761820 quoting the Declined Cases Agreement.