Uninsured drivers spark hundreds of claims in Limerick
THERE have been more than 600 claims arising from road accidents in Limerick involving uninsured or untraceable drivers over the past five years, new figures have revealed.
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) says it received a total of 617 claims between 218 and 2022 meaning Limerick has the highest number of claims per capita in the country.
At present, law-abiding motorists who are insured pay a levy on their policies (between €150 - €175) to cover the costs associated with these claims.
According to the MIBI, there were 124 claims relating to uninsured drivers in Limerick during 2022; 100 during 2021; 100 during 2020; 137 during 2019 and 156 during 2018.
Commenting on the figures, MIBI Chief Executive David Fitzgerald, said: “The reality is that the cost of these accidents is borne by law-abiding motorists of Limerick and the rest of the country, who effectively have to subsidise these claims every time they renew their motor insurance.
“Unfortunately, as the number of uninsured vehicles grows, the number of claims relating to accidents caused by uninsured drivers also rise.”
Earlier this year, the MIBI published research showing there were almost 188,000 uninsured private vehicles on Irish roads last year and that the Republic of Ireland may have the highest level of uninsured vehicles in the EU.
The organisation also predicts that the number of uninsured vehicles on Irish roads could pass 200,000 in the next 12 – 18 months if “significant action” isn’t taken.
Describing the Road Traffic and Roads Bill as a “game changer”, which would give gardaí the ability to identify uninsured vehicles, Mr Fitzgerald said: “It will allow the gardaí to check if the driver is insured just by scanning the licence plate number, making it extremely difficult for uninsured drivers to avoid detection.
“However, until the legislation is signed into law, the full capabilities are not available to law enforcement yet.”