Uninsured drivers are adding an average £57 a year to premiums for the rest of the driving population, according to the Irish Insurance Federation.
In a call for greater action to detect uninsured driving, the IIF said the problem costs an estimated £95 million a year, or about 9 per cent of the cost of insured claims. Claims against uninsured drivers are met by the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland, which is funded by all authorised motor insurers. Policyholders ultimately pay for the claims to the bureau through their motor premiums.
"Uninsured driving is an avoidable social and financial cost to society. To reduce the burden on the law-abiding motorist, we need to increase the resources devoted to identifying and punishing those who break the law by driving without insurance," said the IIF's chief executive, Mr Michael Kemp.
He called for improved methods of detecting uninsured driving. The IIF and the MIBI are currently in discussion with the Department of the Environment on upgrading the national vehicle file. This would give the Department and the gardai up-to-date details of cover on all insured vehicles. "Completion of this project will significantly enhance Garda capacity to identify and prosecute uninsured drivers," Mr Kemp said.
The IIF has already requested the Department to increase the penalties for uninsured driving under the Road Traffic Bill currently before the Dail.
