Drink drivers are hiding convictions, insurer says

THOUSANDS of drink drivers are hiding their convictions when seeking motor insurance, one of the country’s biggest firms said yesterday.

Hibernian managing director Dick O’Driscoll is concerned that many drink drivers do so to avoid a hefty loading to their insurance costs. Hibernian estimates that only around 5% of drink drivers notify insurance companies of their conviction, although the failure to declare such information is a criminal offence.

“We have around 25% of the motor insurance market. Based on the number of people convicted of drink driving in recent years, we would have expected to insure around 2,000 offenders. Instead, we are insuring just over 100 drivers who have informed us of their conviction,” said Mr O’Driscoll.