Site quotes real-time

Consumers can obtain a selection of real-time quotes to cover travel, house, apartment and car insurance at a new website, www.barker.ie.

Rather than providing quotes by e-mail as several other Irish websites do, it offers a selection of quotes from different companies almost instantly.

The website, which is the brainchild of Mr Conor English, chief executive of the Barker Fresson Insurance Group, is offering a 10 per cent discount as an introductory incentive.

The software that powers the website was developed in conjunction with Irish technology firm Parallel Internet at a cost of £150,000 (€190,600).

Barker Fresson provides mobile phone insurance to many of Esat Digifone's customers.