Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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555. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that car owners are being quoted outlandish amounts to insure cars that are 15 years old or more, notwithstanding the fact that they have passed the NCT and as such are deemed to be roadworthy and safe; the reason for this premium loading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23141/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered 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, relying on a combination of rating factors such as age of the driver, claims record, driving experience, number of drivers, uses of the car, etc.

The National Car Test was introduced to comply with EU Periodic Roadworthiness Testing requirements, and a car which passes the test may be driven on our roads. A valid NCT certificate only confirms that a vehicle is in a roadworthy condition at the time of the test.

Accordingly, different insurance companies apply ratings individually when pricing insurance.  Member States are expressly prohibited by the EU framework for Insurance from requiring insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products.