Category: insurance

The insurance industry has announced a suite of measures aimed at helping personal and business customers through the difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. They include a reduction in premiums for business customers that will reflect the reduced level of exposure they have as a result of the restrictions as well as flexibility for those […]

Insurers and reinsurers in the European Union should temporarily suspend dividends and share buybacks, the bloc’s insurance regulator has said.  They should also consider postponing bonuses as well to ensure continuity in services during the coronavirus pandemic, the watchdog said. The virus has led to lockdowns of economies and a rising number of insurance claims […]

The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) has warned that the rising cost of public liability insurance is adversely impacting competitiveness. The body also warns that legal services around the enforcement of commercial contracts in Ireland are both expensive and slow. The findings are contained in the NCC’s latest Competitiveness Challenges report, which focuses on six key […]

2.2 million Irish people have private health insurance – Health Insurance Authority The number of people with private health insurance in Ireland rose to 2.2 million at the end of last year, representing 45% of the population, according to the Health Insurance Authority. The figures have risen year on year since 2014, and so has […]

Car running costs dip but insurance still an issue The average cost of running a family car for a year stands at €10,590, according to the AA’s annual survey of motoring costs – a decrease of €98.11 on last year. The survey also revealed a 7% drop in insurance costs, but the AA said the […]

Injury awards driving up insurance prices – insurers Insurance premiums will fall if the cost of claims in Ireland falls, insurance companies have been telling the Oireachtas Finance committee. The Chief Executive of Allianz, Sean McGrath, said the single biggest issue facing the cost of claims is getting the high level of injury awards under […]

Personal injury costs threaten retail viability Retailers have hit out at the slow pace of insurance reform. Rising personal injury awards are threatening the viability of the sector, according to Ibec’s Retail Ireland division. Large numbers of retailers will be unable to meet the rising cost of insurance premiums unless urgent reform to the compensation […]

THE Government has been urged not to ease up on insurance reform after 1,000 jobs were saved when play centres secured insurance cover. Some 61 play centres were threatened with closure over difficulties getting insurance. The Alliance for Insurance Reform said there was still a need for major changes in the insurance and legal sectors. […]

Insurance fraud crisis is costing jobs, says top judge Former High Court president Nicholas Kearns has expressed frustration at the slow pace of insurance reform, saying the country risks reputational damage if the claims culture is not tackled. He is baffled that a dedicated Garda unit has not been set up to prosecute fraudsters, and […]