andMr. Kyne asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will indicate if the recent reduction in motor-car insurance applies to all vehicles irrespective of the year of their assembly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor-Car Insurance.
The recent reduction in motor-car insurance premiums applies to all basic premiums which were increased from 1st December, 1951. In the case of insuring or reinsuring of old cars, however, the normal practice is for each insurance company to have regard to certain features, including the age and mechanical condition of the car, and such insurance company may charge an addition to the basic premium depending on the age and condition of the car.
Are we to be told that a taximan whose car was first registered in 1937, and who has a clean record, can be informed by an insurance company that he will not get even the 12½ per cent. reduction but, instead, that he will have to pay an extra 5/-or 6/- more than——
It is open to the person concerned to see if he can get a better quotation from another company.
That is a poor solution.
A 1937 taxi is not very safe.
The Deputy will appreciate that the car is one year older than it was when it was registered the previous year.
So is the driver.
If particulars of a reduction of premium which should have been effected under the direction, and which was not given, are forwarded to me I shall have the matter investigated.
The suggestion is that the reduction of 12½ per cent. is being offset in respect of the no-claim bonus.
Is that not an evasion of the terms of the decision given by the Minister?
No. The position in regard to the no-claim bonus is that it is a concession given by a company to its clients. It has no statutory basis.
So what is lost on the swings is recovered on the roundabouts.
Did I understand the Minister to state that he stands over the evasion practice by the insurance companies in respect of the no-claim bonus?
I stand over no evasion. These insinuations by Deputy MacBride are despicable.
That is the effect of what the Minister has stated. Does the Minister stand over it?
Question No. 9.