Claims against uninsured drivers in Galway rise 30%

The number of insurance claims involving uninsured drivers in Galway over the past year has jumped by almost 30%.

Figures from the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland for the first seven months of this year show there were 92 claims in Galway which related to uninsured or untraced drivers.

That figure is up 28% from the 72 recorded for the same period last year, which was the third highest rate of such claims in Ireland after Dublin and Cork.

Nationally, the rate of increase was 17% – from 1,409 claims in the seven-month period to 1,644 this year.

For comparison, Dublin was up 13% from 610 to 688 and Cork up 16% from 111 to 129. Limerick was down 16% (from 95 to 80) and Waterford was down 28% from 29 to 21.

Over the first seven months, claims increased in 20 counties in total, with the largest percentage change being in Roscommon, which recorded an increase of 500% as the number of claims rose from 2 to 12.

The next highest percentage rises were in Longford (167%), Leitrim (167%) and Mayo (113%).

David Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of the MIBI said: ““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.

“As a not-for-profit organisation, all our claims are funded by the motor insurance providers operating in this country, with the costs ultimately covered by Irish motor insurance customers.

“On average the MIBI pays out approximately €60 million a year for claims of this nature. We estimate that accounts for €35 within the cost of the average annual motor insurance premium.

“This is why one of the key objectives of the MIBI is to reduce the number of uninsured drivers on Irish roads. We are working with the Government, An Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies to help tackle this issue. These latest figures underline how important that objective is – not just for the MIBI but for all drivers operating in this country who are concerned about their insurance costs,” Mr Fitzgerald said.