Claims linked to uninsured drivers static

ALTHOUGH the number of motor insurance claims relating to uninsured or untraced drivers has increased by 17% this year, according to new figures released by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), the number of claims made in Clare has remained static at 18.

In the period from January 1 to the end of July 2016, there were 1,644 claims of this type around the country, representing an increase of 235 claims compared to the 1,409 that were lodged during the same period in 2015.

The largest number of claims were in Dublin, which accounted for 42% of all these uninsured or untraced driver claims, and the next highest number of claims were in Cork (129) and Galway (92). Four counties experienced a decline in the number of claims, the largest drop being in Limerick which had 80 claims, down from 95 in 2015.

The number of claims in Clare were the same across both years.

David Fitzgerald, chief executive of the MIBI, said, “Every year, the MIBI manages thousands of claims against uninsured or untraced drivers. That is a role this organisation was set up to fulfil since we were established by the Government and the insurance industry in the 1950s.

“An increase of 17% represents a significant jump in the number of claims being lodged. It showcases the increased pipeline of payments facing the MIBI. 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” Mr Fitzgerald concluded.