As the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect Irish customers, new research by Liberty Insurance has found the most common changes motorists in the country have been making to try and reduce the costs of running a car.
The results of a recent study has found that over the past six months, motorists have made or considered a wide range of measures including cutting back on car use, switches to public transport, changes to their motor insurance cover and even delaying necessary servicing of their vehicle.
Delaying or reducing maintenance
Even when their cars need repairs and maintenance, a considerable number of Irish motorists have been looking to cut costs this year by reducing what they spend, or even postponing entirely servicing their car. More than one in seven motorists (15% ) said they had put off servicing their car in the last six months, even when it was needed. A similar number (12% ) said they were spending less on maintenance than previously.
More than two in five motorists have reduced their car usage
Almost half (43% ) of respondents said they had reduced how much they use their car over the past six months. Three in ten motorists (30% ) said they had started walking or cycling more, while 25% have increased their use of public transport. In Dublin, where travel distances are typically shorter and there are often more public transport options, these numbers increase to 40% and 41% respectively.
Shopping around for car insurance
Over a third (37% ) of insurance owners said they had shopped around more for motor insurance cover in an effort to cut costs. One in every eight motorists (12% ) has switched provider, while 4% of motorists have actively reduced the level of their motor insurance cover.
Selling the car
While selling their car is the ultimate step in reducing the cost of motoring, less than one in ten (9% ) of Irish customers have considered this, and either sold, or thought about selling, their car in the last six months.
