Uninsured drivers add €40 to average premium

Damage done by hit-and-run motorists has affected more than one in four car owners.

And 7% of drivers have been struck by a driver who was not insured to be behind the wheel.

This is adding €40 to the average cost of premiums for honest policy holders, as the Motor Insurance Bureau picks up the tab and levies those with premiums.

In a survey of almost 10,000 people by AA Motor Insurance, it was found that roads around the border counties were the most problematic. In Monaghan, almost 33% of drivers had damage done by a mystery motorist. The county was also the worst for crashes involving uninsured drivers.

AA director of consumer affairs Conor Faughnan said the lack of insurance was a serious issue which was hitting those who play by the rules.

“When an uninsured driver causes damage, compensation is paid by the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland,” said Mr Faughan. “That body acts as the insurance company and pays the cost, but we all pick up the tab for it and it’s pushing up the price for the 95% of us who pay for motor insurance every year.”

There was a clear geographic difference in the experiences of people, with those in the Midlands and Ulster more likely to have their claims dealt with by the Motor Insurance Bureau.

However, in Munster, almost 9% of Tipperary drivers had experience of the phenomenon, but in Clare it was 2%.

Mr Faughnan said it was not just people forgetting to update their details that caused the problem.

“It can be an honest mistake, for example, if a husband changes policy and forgets to include his wife,” said Mr Faughan. “But more often, it is people who know full well what they are doing and are reckless enough not to care.”