‘I paid less as a learner driver in my 20s’

DRIVERS have been venting their fury on the airwaves over the steep rise in the cost of motor insurance premiums as well as a perceived claims culture in Ireland.

RTÉ’s Today With Miriam was flooded with texts from frustrated listeners yesterday discussing their own experiences of false claims and what they called extortionate insurance premiums.

One listener, John Doyle, told the programme that despite having never been involved in any road collisions, he is facing a €400 increase in his insurance costs.

Anne, from Swords, Co. Dublin, has also been hit with a sharp increase in her premium, describing the jump as ‘disgraceful’.

She said: ‘I got my renewal today, the policy has gone up by €350.’

A taxi driver said his premium has doubled. He revealed: ‘I drive a taxi for a living and my premium rose by 50% over two years.

‘Twenty-two years driving, no claims or convictions, not even a penalty point.’

Meanwhile, a 36-year-old mother of two told the programme: ‘I’ve never had an insurance claim and yet I pay €790 a year – that’s more than when I was learning to drive in my 20s.’

Others expressed their outrage at those who take out fraudulent claims.

‘I have personal experience with fraudulent claims in the courts and still the claimant received a small payment and was not prosecuted,’ one listener told the show.

John in Cork said: ‘I’ve managed or owned hotels in Cork for the past 30 years.

‘I have, in all that time, dealt with only one legitimate [compensation] claim – every one of the others were bogus and were driven by the legal profession.’

Another listener pointed out that premiums are ‘actually more affordable’ in the UK, describing the Irish system as an ‘absolute joke’.

They said: ‘I stayed there for 15 years, but myself and my wife paid £187 and £280 respectively, one for a van the other for a car, both with no claims – and now we pay €1,500 a year for two cars with the same no claims.’