Young drivers in protest at high cost of insurance premiums - Irish Independent (9/April/2001) Samantha McCaughren A CONVOY of 200 cars drove to Fianna Fail headquarters in Dublin at the weekend to protest at high insurance premiums being charged to young drivers. The Motor Insurance Justice Action Board (MIJAG), which organised the car protest, is demanding first time drivers be charged the average premium of £480, regardless of age. This follows the Motor Insurance Advisory Board (MIAB) interim report which revealed how insurance companies make bigger profits from the under 25 group than any other category. The protest, which began in Tallaght at 5.30pm on Saturday, went down O'Connell Street, bringing traffic to a standstill as two members walked ahead with a banners stating 'Rip Off'. Drivers from Limerick, Athy, Dundalk and Greystones were among those who attended. Said MIJAG National Organiser Mick Murphy: "The MIAB interim report confirmed young drivers were indeed being ripped off and these same young drivers are now out to seek justice. "We want the books of the insurance companies opened up so the truth can come out once and for all. Car insurance is the only financial service we have got to have by law. "We are calling for a radical overhaul of insurance in Ireland," he continued. "When a driver is starting off he or she should be charged the average premium of £480 and this should not go up unless proven safety related driving offences are committed. "A tide of change is on the way for the insurance industry." MIJAG now has 1,500 members. Back to Media Index