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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 May 1969

Vol. 240 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Insurance.

47.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement on the rights of insurance companies who refuse cover to a motorist who has never been involved in an accident and who refuse to give reasons for the non-issue of insurance cover.

There is no statutory obligation on an insurance company to provide insurance cover in a particular instance. I am not aware of any cases where motorists have found it impossible to obtain motor insurance. If there are any such cases, they should be brought to the attention of the Minister for Local Government who, as the Deputy may be aware, has machinery for dealing with them.

Has the Minister looked into the position that I demonstrated to him here a short time ago where some of the companies are offering cover at two-and-a-half times the normal premium, which, in my view, is the same as refusing it?

I have looked into cases in which I had complaints and some of them are being pursued with insurance companies. But there is a special committee which was set up under the Road Traffic Act and operates under the aegis of the Minister for Local Government. The general theory behind it is that nobody should be refused insurance unless it is in the public interest. Therefore, if people find themselves in the position where they are actually refused insurance or are quoted premiums which are so high as to amount to a refusal, these cases should be referred to the Minister for Local Government.

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