25% of motorists mull cut in insurance

ONE in four motorists are considering reducing their motor insurance coverage due to financial pressures, according to a survey.

Research by AA Ireland has revealed 25% of all drivers are thinking about or have already switched away from fully comprehensive insurance policies.

However, only 5% of motorists have changed to a third party or third party, fire and theft policy, although the figure rises to 12% among younger motorists aged under 25 years.

Older motorists showed the greatest inertia toward downgrading their insurance cover.

The study of more than 12,300 motorists showed many consumers were surprised that the price gap between the different types of motor insurance policies was much narrower than they had anticipated.

Others indicated the “fear factor” encouraged them to look for savings elsewhere and that changing car insurance was not worth the loss of peace of mind.

AA spokesman John Farrell advised motorists considering a switch in cover to determine how they would cope with a big repair bill in the event of an accident, malicious damage or weather damage and also how dependent they are on their car.

“Our advice is to reduce your premiums by shopping around rather than downgrade,” said Mr Farrell.

Meanwhile, motorists are facing further difficult driving conditions today after roads were badly affected in many parts of the country yesterday by overnight frost and ice.

Met Éireann yesterday issued a warning of stormy overnight conditions which are expected to continue up to midday today.

Gale force winds and damaging gusts of between 100km/h and 140km/h have been forecast with the worst affected areas likely to be Connacht and Ulster.

Many parts of the north- east and north-west were already badly affected yesterday with black ice creating treacherous conditions in several counties, including Donegal and Louth.

A number of collisions were reported on the M1 Dublin-Belfast motorway between Dunleer and Castlebellingham, although conditions improved during the course of the day.

Meanwhile, a west Mayo village is in mourning following the death of a well-known community activist in a road accident in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Michael Joe Gavin, a 52-year-old single man from the village of Murrisk, was killed instantly when he was thrown from a van which crashed at Kilsallagh, about 6km outside Louisburgh on the Westport road.

The van was being driven by Noel Gavin, aged 22, a nephew of the victim, at the time of the single vehicle accident at 12.35am.

Both the driver and a second male passenger John Sammin, 19, were injured in the impact, which occurred on a bend. Their injuries were not serious.

It is believed the three had been on a night out in Louisburgh and were on their way home when the vehicle went out of control.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them at 098 25555.

Mr Gavin was the third person to be killed on Irish roads in 2012.