Fewer drivers denied cover

The number of drivers refused motor insurance last year dropped for the fourth consecutive year to 310, according to the organisation set up to get quotes for drivers repeatedly denied insurance.

Drivers who have been refused quotes in writing from three or more insurance companies can apply to the Declined Cases Committee (DCC) of the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) to help them get a quote.

An IIF spokesperson said the fall was due to "improved competition in the market". According to the IIF, a wide range of factors contributed to drivers being refused. Previous significant claims or convictions were behind more than a third of the cases, according to the IIF.

The number of taxi and hackney drivers seeking help from the DCC also declined last year. Inexperienced drivers experiencing difficulties dropped sharply, down to 10 from 88 the previous year. Many of the remaining applicants would be termed "ordinary" motorists who have changed occupation and vehicle from private to commercial use, according to the IIF. These were joined by those who had had difficulty for health reasons due to impaired ability.

There was no evidence yet of insurers refusing drivers who had penalty points, says Mike Kemp, IIF chief executive. As premiums fall, he says, the acceptance criteria widens meaning fewer people were likely to be left without a quote.

Third-party cover is the legal minimum insurance and the DCC is the last resort.The number of drivers whose cases were referred to the DCC represent just 0.064 per cent of the two million drivers insured in the state.