Michael Noonan asks officials to examine factors contributing to rising insurance costs

Amid mounting premiums, the number of people forced to resort to seeking car insurance through a “declined cases agreement” has more than trebled in the course of three years, according to figures from the Department of Finance.

All motor insurers are signed up to the declined cases agreement operated by Insurance Ireland and administered by a committee made up of representatives of each of the companies and of the Consumer Association of Ireland and Financial Services Ombudsman’s Bureau, who act as external observers.

Under the scheme, the insurance market cannot refuse to provide cover to an individual if he or she has approached at least three insurers and has not been able to obtain a quote from them.