COMMENT: Car insurance is a national scandal

AS a driver, I’d consider myself something of a safe bet to an insurance company.

I’ve had a full, clean driving licence since the early 1990s and an unblemished claims record. In fact, I think my insurance company should consider me an exemplary customer. Is there a prize for that? 

I certainly won’t be holding my breath waiting for a reward in the post. Insurance companies have been screwing me and countless other safe drivers for the past number of years with punishing premium increases.

A few years ago, I was paying close to €300 a year but just last month I was quoted an eye-watering, wallet-shrinking €800. Same car, same no-claims record, same insurance company. 

So I got straight on the phone. I protested my case to the hapless customer service agent on the other end of the line, prefacing my rant with an apology. Naturally, it wasn’t the poor woman’s fault but somebody has to be in the firing line when the companies they work for treat their customers with such disregard.

I didn’t mean to sound rude, I assured her; I was just frustrated.

I told her I didn’t want all the bells and whistles; just a straightforward fully comp policy. After I reluctantly agreed to increase the excess level per claim, she was happy to offer me a reduced premium in the region of €650 – still twice what I was paying just a few years ago.

It’s a given that Ireland has an unhealthy claims culture and the level of injury awards can sometimes be staggering. In addition, the cost of funding the reckless behaviour of uninsured drivers also has to be met by the industry.

But that’s no comfort to compliant motorists who are paying extortionate prices to stay within the law. 

Perhaps it’s time for the Government to consider reducing the level of motor tax if our politicians are unable to curb an insurance industry that has seemingly lost the run of itself.

We are a reluctant two-car family and our monthly motoring costs now compete with the mortgage as our largest financial commitment. Given the limited public transport service in the area where we live, we don’t really have a choice but to keep two vehicles on the road.

With toll charges, fuel costs, servicing, insurance premiums, the NCT and road tax all hoovering up our disposable income, driving is fast becoming a luxury we can no longer afford.

Readers should be prepared for a similarly themed column when I get my next health insurance renewal notice. 

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