Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
526. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on persons under 20 years of age obtaining car insurance, when they are on provisional licences; if all insurance companies operating here will quote for this business, or if there is a restricted market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19741/15]
View answerThe provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies, operating in an open and competitive market, and is based on an assessment of risk, including the cost and frequency of claims, and adequate provisioning to meet such risk and it is not a matter in which the Government can intervene. I have no role in the regulation of insurers.
An Garda Síochána accident statistics for 2014 show that 25% of drivers killed on our roads last year were between the ages of 18 and 25. Because of the higher risk of collisions, deaths and injuries among learner drivers, since 2006, we have progressively introduced Graduated Driver Licensing measures for such drivers (stronger rules on being accompanied by full licence holders, compulsory driving lessons, lower blood alcohol limits, etc.) that are designed to protect them until they have built up enough experience.
At present there are over 30 insurers writing motor insurance business in Ireland, as listed on the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) website. However, some motor insurance companies may not quote or may be more reluctant to quote for persons in higher risk categories such as persons not on a full licence or persons with a high number of penalty points. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (consumerhelp.ie/car-insurance) advise that consumers should get their full licence as soon as possible so as to reduce the cost of their insurance.
