A jump in motor insurance claims, relating to uninsured or untraced drivers, has been maintained for the second consecutive year, according to the latest figures from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI).

The boss of insurance firm FBD has hit back at criticism by the Law Society president that blame for the Setanta Insurance fallout and high premiums lay squarely at foot of the insurance industry, saying it was meritless and ‘without fact’.

A seven-judge Supreme Court is hearing the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland’s appeal against decisions that it is potentially liable for claims brought against collapsed insurer Setanta.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland has lodged an appeal to the Supreme Court over the allocation of the liabilities of Setanta Insurance which collapsed in 2014.