Car cover switchers saved average of €100

CONOR POPE, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

MORE THAN 90 per cent of Irish people who switched car insurance providers last year saved an average of more than €100 each, according to a study by the National Consumer Agency.

The latest study carried out by the agency points to the value to be found by shopping around. It shows 85 per cent of people who switched products or service provider across a range of key categories saved money as a result.

The agency said 95 per cent of those who switched car insurance company saved an average of €102, while 91 per cent of those who switched home insurance found cheaper premiums elsewhere and were able to knock €84 off the cost of their policies.

The research found 13 per cent of consumers switched car insurance providers last year, 12 per cent changed their mobile phone provider, and 10 per cent changed where they did their regular grocery shop.

“The research indicates that real savings can be made by switching and we would advise consumers to continually review all their household bills, to compare the alternative options available and switch providers if a better deal is on offer,” the agency’s chief executive, Ann Fitzgerald, said.

“The incentive for doing so is particularly strong in relation to car and home insurance, with over nine in 10 respondents making significant savings by switching in these areas,” she said.

The research also looked at repeat switching for the same product or service over the past five years. The highest level of repeat switching was found in car insurance, where 21 per cent of those asked said they had switched provider more than once.

Twenty per cent of mobile phone users switched operator.

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