Motor insurance prices ‘could rise 30%’

Motor insurance premiums will soar by 30% if the Government pushes ahead with increasing award limits of district and circuit courts, according to the Irish Brokers Association (IBA).

The changes will encourage more people to go to court rather than settle their case, the IBA claims, resulting in a repeat of what happened in the 1980s when young drivers were virtually uninsurable.

The umbrella body for Irish insurers wants the Government to rethink the Courts Bill which is due to be debated in the Dáil today. The bill — which was introduced in the Senate last week — will increase the financial ceiling on cases that can now be dealt with by both courts.