Longford/Westmeath TD speaks out about uninsured driver claims

Deputy Troy commented, “It is clear that the ultimate bearer of the cost of uninsured motorists is the insured motorist.  While the cost of dealing with uninsured drivers is paid by the insurance industry through the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), it is the compliant motorist who ends up paying by way of increased premiums. 

“Following pressure from Fianna Fáil, the Government established a Cost of Insurance Working Group in 2016.  That Group published its report on the cost of motor insurance in January 2017.  Just over a year later, we are witnessing excessive delays implementing key parts of the report.   The legislation to establish a national claims database to increase transparency in the market was due to be completed by the end of 2017, yet this legislation has yet to be published.

“The MIBI announced that 2,700 claims in 2017 involved uninsured drivers.  It is staggering that the database to identify uninsured drivers is now set to be delayed by up to two years.  In the original January 2017 report on motor insurance, the deadline for the completion of this database was set for quarter 3 or quarter 4 of this year.  However, in the most recent update from October 2017 the deadline has been pushed out to quarter 3 2020. 

“It was also envisaged that a fully functioning National Fleet Database to deal with uninsured drivers in fleets would be completed by the end of 2018.  Incredibly there now is no deadline for the completion of this action point.  Plans to establish a Master License Record are also now delayed by two years. 

“The Government has taken its eye off the ball when it comes to cost of motor insurance.  The recommendations outlined in January 2017 must be completed on time so that customers can start seeing tangible benefits and ultimately a reduction in their premiums.  Fianna Fáil will continue to hold this Government to account until this is accomplished", concluded Deputy Troy.