Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016
107. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance if it is permissible for an insurance company not to insure a person (details supplied), given that each of the persons have a card approved by a general practitioner, GP, under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16667/16]
View answerI am advised that the matter raised by the Deputy in this Parliamentary Question relates to motor insurance.
As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, may 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 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 motor insurers use a combination of rating factors in making their individual decisions on whether to offer cover and what terms to apply. Factors include those such as the age of the driver, the type of car, the claims record, driving experience, the number of drivers, how the car is used, etc.
Insurance Ireland has also informed me that if an individual has a valid driving licence and has medical confirmation that any ailment or sickness suffered does not render them unfit to drive, then their insurer is obliged to offer them an insurance quote. Also, the legislative framework does not impose individual age limits on motor insurance.
In the event that the person in question 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.
