Posted on

O’ROURKE – FF BILL CRACKS DOWN ON INSURANCE FRAUD

Frank O’Rourke TD says a new Bill being brought forward by his party should lead to reduced insurance costs, as it will clamp down on fraudulent insurance claims

Fraudulent insurance claims have been a contributory factor in the rising insurance costs, which people in Kildare and across the country have been hit with in recent years

“The average premiums today are still €300 higher now than they were in 2014. Constituents regularly raise the high cost of motor and business insurances with me at my weekly clinics”  stated Deputy O’Rourke.

“Our Bill, the Civil Liability and Courts (Amendment) Bill 2018, is the latest measure from our party aimed at tackling spiralling insurance costs. I have raised the high cost of insurance with the Government on many occasions and have offered a number of proposals which the Government should have pursued. The Government has not given focus to this issue and it is affecting the cost of living for many people.”

“The majority of insurance claimants are genuine. However, there is an underlying issue with fraudulent claims, which is driving up the cost of insurance for motorists, businesses, community groups and individuals. We need to address this issue and our Bill is designed to make would-be false claimants think twice about making a claim. If passed, the Bill will direct a court to refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions where a case is deemed to be a fraudulent action.”

“This proposal was captured in the report published by the Cost of Insurance Working Group earlier this year. Reducing insurance costs has been a key priority for me and our party, and we must make better progress in reducing the cost of insurance and bring rates more in line with EU norms rates,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

Posted on

O’ROURKE – GOVT NEEDS TO TACKLE INSURANCE COSTS

Deputy Frank O’Rourke has called on the Government to give greater priority to reducing the cost of insurance

Insurance costs in Ireland remain stubbornly high as the Government last week published its most recent report from the Cost of Insurance Working Group.

“My concern is that the elevated motor insurance costs that we now have, will become the norm. Since being elected, I have persistently raised the unacceptable rise in the cost of motor insurance.  I pressed the Government to partner with other EU countries to fight the rising costs, and to-date we have received a deafening silence.”

“The National Claims Information Database is one of the key recommendation of the working groups report.  The legislation to establish the database was supposed to be enacted by the end of 2017. Now it seems it will not be even introduced until the second half of 2018 and that time-frame is far from certain.”

“A mechanism to set up an anti-fraud unit within An Garda Síochána was to be approved by the third quarter of 2017.  This has yet to be achieved and no solid timeline has been put in place for the approval of such a mechanism, much less the establishment of a unit.”

“Motor insurance costs have been a major issue for drivers in Ireland over the past number of years and Fianna Fáil has been to the fore in pressing the government to take action. The lack of action in relation to the recommendations of the working group is unacceptable.”

“The message must go out to all, that we are determined to get fairer motor insurance premiums for Irish motorists. Many Kildare motorists continue to make contact with me in relation to their rising costs, and I am determined to keep a focus on this important issue for them.”

“High motor insurance premiums have not gone away. The government has shown no sign that it is on top of this issue, as many continue to face unsustainable high insurance premiums.  This is a direct threat to our competitiveness, and increases the cost of living, and must be addressed,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

Posted on

O’ROURKE : CRIPPLING BUSINESS INSURANCE LEADING TO CLOSURES

Frank O’Rourke TD has said that the crippling cost of business insurance is leading to closures of nightclubs, marts, leisure and childcare facilities across the country.

Deputy O’Rourke was commenting following reports of business insurance and public liability costs increasing by up to eight fold.

Deputy O’Rourke explained, “Having spoken to businesses and Kildare Chamber of Commerce, I am aware that insurance premiums for some owners have increased by a multiple of eight. That is completely unacceptable and is not sustainable. “SMEs, who bear the brunt of these increases, make such a contribution to their local economies but the increase in insurance coupled with other increases which they have encountered over recent years, is proving too much for many and they are considering closing. “

“To add insult to injury, we recently learned that three of the country’s main insurance companies made a combined profit of almost €200m in 2018. They are raking it in by imposing huge premiums on consumers for their home, motor and business insurance. “While I accept that the personal injury awards are far too high in Ireland and that they are a key contributor to the rising insurance costs, I do not accept insurance companies not passing on some of their profits to their customers. “

“The reason the situation is out of control is due to the lack of delivery by the Government, they have not implemented the recommendations of the Cost of Insurance Working Group. The long promised Judicial Council which will set limits for claims is nowhere to be seen and the national claims database and a dedicated Garda insurance fraud unit is yet to be set up. “

“The Fianna Fáil Party recently put forward a motion calling on the Government to take a number of steps to address rising insurance costs – I believe it is high time this Government takes our steps seriously. This needs to stop before we see the closure of more businesses and further job losses”, concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

Posted on

O’ROURKE SLAMS CRIPPLING INSURANCE COSTS

Frank O’Rourke has said insurance providers need to pass on some of their massive profits to consumers and called on the Government to immediately implement the recommendations of the Cost of Insurance Working Group.

Deputy O’Rourke was commenting following reports that three insurance companies in Ireland made a combined profit of €200 million last year and said, “Insurance companies are raking it in by imposing huge premiums on consumers for their home, motor and business insurance. Individuals across Kildare cannot keep up with rising motor and home insurance costs and businesses such as nightclubs, marts and childcare facilities are considering closing down because of the massive increases in public liability and business insurance.”

                            Frank O’Rourke TD

“While I accept that the personal injury awards are far too high in Ireland and that they are a key contributor to the rising insurance costs, I do not accept insurance companies not passing on some of their profits to their customers – that just makes good business sense. Insurance premiums continue to rise far in excess of what is fair or justified. These rising costs are a huge burden on customers, business, charities, and sports clubs. It is very important that the recommendations of the working group, formed to tackle rising insurance costs, are implemented immediately. So far it appears little has been done in this regard.”

“The establishment of a national claims database is just one step we can take. The legislation for this database was enacted some time ago, yet it languishes in the Department. In addition to the database the establishment of a dedicated Garda insurance fraud unit is one action which is often brought up by businesses and communities as an essential measure.”  The Department must do more to prevent rising insurance costs. There are options on the table but little has been done to date while premiums continue to rise. The Minister ought to take this matter more seriously and step up efforts before we see the closure of more businesses and homeowners taking risks with their homes”, concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

Posted on

O’ROURKE CRITICISES GOVERNMENT INACTION ON INSURANCE FRAUD

Frank O’Rourke TD has criticised the government for delaying legislation which would clamp down on insurance fraud.

Frank commented, “Recent findings published by the insurance industry has labelled half of all personal injury claims brought to court as “potentially fraudulent”. False and misleading claims have negative …consequences for Irish policyholders and drive up the cost of insurance premiums.”

“The cost of both motor insurance and business insurance remains stubbornly high for households and businesses across the country. The average annual cost of motor insurance now stands at €750 compared with €450 in 2014, an increase of nearly 70%.” Continue reading “O’ROURKE CRITICISES GOVERNMENT INACTION ON INSURANCE FRAUD”