asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that insurance companies have refused recently to cover by comprehensive policy tractors used by farmers and others for agricultural purposes; and, if so, what action he will take on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Insurance of Tractors.
13.
I have received representations about a complaint from one source that some insurance companies have refused to provide comprehensive insurance cover for agricultural tractors. As I indicated in reply to those representations, there is no obligation on an insurance company to accept any particular risk; and I am not empowered to intervene in cases of this nature. I have heard of no complaint that tractor owners cannot obtain the insurance cover required by the Road Traffic Act.
Then the insurance companies are sacrosanct. Nobody can interfere with them.
The insurance companies have certain obligations under the Road Traffic Act and if they do not fulfil them, I can take certain steps.
Surely the most important obligation is to have vehicles insured? Refusal to insure results in keeping vehicles off the road.
There has been no case in which there was refusal to insure tractors for the purpose of the Road Traffic Act.
I gave you the case of one the other day.
That was a case of a motor car and of a man who had an accident record.
One accident. He lost his job as a result of what happened.