The number of motor insurance claims relating to uninsured or untraced drivers has increased by 17 per cent this year, according to new figures released by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI ).
In the period from January 1 to the end of July, there were 1,644 claims of this type around the country. That figure represents an increase of 235 claims compared to the 1,409 which were lodged during the same period in 2015. The largest number of claims were in Dublin, which accounted for 42 per cent of all these uninsured or untraced driver claims.
The capital also saw the largest increase in the number of claims, with 78 more made this year compared to the corresponding months in 2015. The next highest number of claims were in Cork (129 ) and Galway (92 ). During the first seven months of the year claims increased in 20 counties in total, with the largest percentage change being in Roscommon, which recorded an increase of 500 per cent as the number of claims rose from two to 12.
David Fitzgerald, chief executive of the MIBI, says an increase of 17 per cent represents a significant jump in the number of claims being lodged: “It showcases the increased pipeline of payments facing the MIBI,” he said. “While no sums are yet attached to these claims, unfortunately more claims generally means higher levels of payments coming from the MIBI and, ultimately, that will impact on motor insurance premiums.
“This is why one of the key objectives of the MIBI is to reduce the number of uninsured drivers on Irish roads. We are working with the Government, An Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies to help tackle this issue. These latest figures underline how important that objective is – not just for the MIBI but for all drivers operating in this country who are concerned about their insurance costs.”
