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Archive for the ‘Insurance’ Category

The Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) operates a Declined Cases Agreement, which is adhered to by all motor insurers in Ireland. Under the agreement, the insurance market will not refuse to provide insurance to an individual seeking insurance if you have approached at least three insurers and have not been able to obtain cover from them. In general, the insurer first approached will be required to provide the individual with a quote. It is therefore important that you keep a careful note of the order in which you approached each of the insurance companies. Where an individual has held a policy within the previous three years, the insurance company concerned is obliged to provide the individual with a quotation. Again this is subject to the proviso that refusals have been received from three insurers (of which the previous insurer may be one).

 

The only grounds on which an insurer can refuse cover are where to provide insurance would be contrary to public interest. The agreement is administered by a Committee made up of representatives of each of the companies who have signed the agreement. The Committee also includes a representative of the Consumers’ Association of Ireland and the Financial Services Ombudsman’s Bureau as external observers. If it is impossible to identify which insurer was the first

approached for a quote, then a rota of insurers comes into effect and the Committee allocates the risk to the next insurer on the rota.

 

The Committee can also decide whether a quote is so high or the terms so excessive as to make the quote tantamount to a refusal, in which case it will review the matter. For assistance regarding the Declined Cases Agreement, contact the IIF’s Insurance Information Service. These are the contact details.

 

 Irish Insurance Federation (IIF), 
Insurance House,
39 Molesworth St.,
Dublin 2.
T: 01 676 1820
F: 01 676 1943
E: fed@iif.ie

 

Safe driving,

LDrivers.ie

Firstly, you should contact your insurer and advise them that you wish to take your car abroad. Normal terms and conditions of motor insurance policies allow a policy holder to take his/her car abroad for up to 31 days to another EU member state for no extra charge. Your existing cover can be extended for stays of up to 60 or 90 days duration but you may have to pay an additional fee for this cover. After your extended cover expires, you have the minimum cover required by law in each country visited (e.g. third party only depending on the country, not comprehensive or fire and theft) until your policy is due for renewal.

If the vehicle you are driving is not registered in your name, you will need to carry a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive. Make sure you have your insurance company’s emergency contact number in your car. Always carry your driving licence (if your licence doesn’t incorporate a photograph you must carry your passport to validate the licence). You must also carry the vehicle registration document and certificate of motor insurance.Safe driving,

Before setting off it would be advisable to check the following:-

-          The car you are driving is roadworthy

-          The headlights have been properly adjusted to avoid glare.

-          Filters, belts, fluid levels and have the oil changed.

-          Condition of your wiper blades.

-          Indicators, brake lights and beams.

-          Tyre tread depth on each tyre.

 

Check with a motoring organisation if you want to drive in a non-EC/EEA country. They will advise you whether you need an International Driving Permit.

 

What is an international driving permit?

An international driving permit allows motorists to drive vehicles in other countries without further tests or applications. It proves that you have a valid driving permit issued by a competent authority in your home country. International driving permits issued in Ireland are only available to Irish residents with a current full driving licence.

There are two types of international driving permit issued in Ireland:

• A 1949 Convention International Driving Permit, which is the most commonly issued driving permit and is recognised in most countries
• A 1929 Convention International Driving Permit, which is required for the following countries – Brazil, Iraq, Nigeria and Somalia.

Where can I use my international driving permit?

You can use your international driving permit in any of the countries that have signed the 1929 or 1949 UN Convention on road traffic.

You cannot be issued with an international driving permit in Ireland if:

• You have not passed your driving test and have a learner permit (or current provisional driving licence)
• You are from outside the European Union or the European Economic Area. The European Economic Area consists of the 25 member states of the EU and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

You may be required to produce the international driving permit when hiring a car abroad.  Remember to carry your driving permit at all times even when you have an international driving permit.

Each international driving permit is valid for one year from date of issue.

An international driving permit (valid for 1 year) costs €5.08.

If you require both a 1949 Convention International Driving Permit and a 1929 Convention International Driving Permit, this will cost €10.16.

Where To Apply

AA Travel

56 Drury Street

Dublin 2

Phone: (0)1 6179540

Fax: (0)1 6174942

Website: http://www.aaireland.ie

Email: aatravel@aaireland.ie

 

 

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A motorist who has had no accidents or claims over a period of years normally 5 years or more are rewarded a percentage discount on the policy up to a maximum of 70% in some case. This means a person must have had no-claims for or against them in a certain period. Normally after the 1^st year you could receive a 10% discount in the 1^st year claims free, 20% in the 2^nd year, 30% in the 3^rd year and so on, up to the maximum discount the individual insurer allows. Unfortunately once you or a third party make a claim against your policy (even if you are not to blame for the accident), your no-claims discount will be affected. You will be able to rebuild your no-claims discount if no subsequent claims are made within a period required by the insurer. Most insurers will offer you the option of purchasing protection for your no-claims bonus. This means you may be allowed to make claims without fully losing your no-claims discount.

 

Safe driving,

 

LDrivers.ie

Many factors are taken into account by an insurer when calculating your quote. You are assessed in accordance of your risk rating.

 

The Key Risks are as follows:

1. Driving experience (including whether an individual has a provisional or full licence); ie. how long have you been driving, and how long you have held your licence or permit, or number of years no claims bonus.

2. The number of claims you have in your driving history.

3. Your geographical location; whether you live in a rural or urban area.

4. The type of car you drive; the bigger the engine the bigger the price.

5. The age of your car; over 3 years old may mean a higher quote.

6. Your age and gender;  A male under 25 will generally get a different quote to a female under 25.

7. Occupation and what you use your car for;  Is it for social domestic use or for hire or reward.

8. Level of cover required;  Whether it’s third party or fully comprehensive!

 

Good luck,

LDrivers.ie

Make sure to check your insurance policy if you tow a trailer, generally normal car insurance does not cover the towing of a trailer, even though your licence allows you to do so.

Good luck,

LDrivers.ie

When getting a quote from an insurance company it is vital that you disclose all relevant information to the insurer when initially purchasing or renewing your insurance. Otherwise, the insurance policy you purchase may be deemed null and void in the event of an accident.

 

If you are unsure whether certain facts are relevant e.g. penalty points, or previous claims you should disclose these, and let the insurer decide their relevance. This may affect the price quoted, but at least you are sure you are properly covered.

 

Good luck,

LDrivers.ie

Optional extras are extra benefits on your insurance policy and can include:

• No Claims Bonus Protection
• Windscreen cover
• Damaged /stolen personal items
• Emergency/recovery service
• Cover for a rental car in the event of your own car being off the road
• Overnight stays in the event your car cannot be fixed quickly
• Open drive – where you can drive another vehicle with the owner’s permission (Third party cover).

These optionals extra will cost extra on your policy.

 

Good luck,

 

LDrivers.ie

The minimum amount of insurance you are required to have is third party cover. This protects you against liability in the event of you injuring a third party, including passengers, or causing damage to their property.

 

The next insurance policy available is Third Party Fire and Theft. This provides third party cover together with cover against damage to your own car as a result of fire or theft.

 

Finally there is Comprehensive Insurance Cover and this not only provides protection against liability to a third party but also offers protection for fire or theft plus accidental damage to your own car. This is the most expensive cover but covers a larger claims criteria.

Good luck,

LDrivers.ie

Motor insurance is for protection for you as a motorist against liability in the event of an accident that you may cause. It is a legal obligation as a motorist to have motor insurance under the Road Traffic Act, 1961.

Good luck,
Safe Driving,
LDrivers.ie

A common question asked by driving test candidates is can I do more than the speed limit on my driving test. For example, can I do 52 or 53 kmph in a 50 km speed limit zone and can I be faulted? The correct answer to this is firstly the speed limit is the maximum speed in which you can drive. Therefore to do 51 kmph is more than the maximum speed limit and in turn can be faulted.  If the maximum speed limit is breached for an inappropriate length of time i.e. on a flat surface due to lack of concentration – this can be a minor fault or a Grade 2 fault. If the speed limit is breached unnecessarily 4 times on the driving test this constitutes a fail or Grade 3 fault. An L driveror learner permit driver can drive at the maximum speed limit of 100klm/per hour. This is the maximum speed limit on all national roads. As an L driver is not legally allowed drive on a motorway until they have their full drivers licence. they must keep within the 100klm speed limit. You can discuss this further with your driving instructor, click here to find one near you.

 

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