736 CLAIMS MADE IN THE COUNTY
UNINSURED DRIVER CLAIMS AMONG HIGHEST IN LOUTH
LOUTH has one of the highest numbers of insurance claims involving uninsured and untraced vehicles, according to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI)
The latest figures revealed that there were 736 claims made (per 100,000 people) from 2010-17 in Louth, the highest rate for any county during that time.
During the last three years there were 367 incidents in Louth involving drivers who had no insurance, or vehicles that could not be traced.
There were 127 claims in 2017 alone, an increase on the previous year.
The MIBI have stated that the issue is a national one, with total of 2,758 claims received last year.
The largest number of claims were, understandably, from Dublin with 1,140 claims arising in the capital. This accounted for 41% of all MIBI claims last year.
But outside of the major cities, Louth had the highest number of claims involving uninsured or untraced vehicles.
This is of particular concern given Louth’s relatively small population compared to the larger urban areas.
The problem is a long running one in Louth, with the data from the last decade showing the wee county has a disproportionately high number of claims of this nature, given the population.
Responding to the figures, David Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of the MIBI said
‘ The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland receives thousands of claims relating to uninsured or untraced drivers on an annual basis. Those claims are all thoroughly evaluated, to ensure that a clear and verifiable picture is established around each and every claim related incident. We have a responsibility to the motoring public and to our members to ensure this comprehensive approach is followed and to ensure that any claims where the evidence does not back up the assertion being made is subject to a detailed investigation.’
‘We are constantly studying our wider claims environment. This includes studying demographic trends and regional trends. It is important to remember that each and every individual claim is unique. Therefore each claim needs to be considered on its own merits.’
He added ‘ Our analysis has allowed us to discern increased claim levels in certain parts of the country, which go beyond purely geographical factors such as urbanisation. On a statistical level some areas do seem to attract a higher than average number of uninsured and untraced claims and have a higher per capita level of claims”.
MIBI is a not for profit organisation which was established to compensate victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles. The Bureau they ‘remain committed to working with key Government and Industry stakeholders to combat this problem, whilst compensating the victims of uninsured drivers.