Claims
by the insurance industry that motor insurance will rise in the wake of
the Supreme Court judgement on payouts to the health boards has been refuted
by MIJAG, the Motor Insurance Justice Action Group. "£900 million is paid
out in claims each year. The Government's Motor Insurance Advisory Board
estimates that the legal profession get £40 out of every £100 paid or
£360 million. The Health Boards will now be able to claim back £7.9 million
or 2.2% of what the legal profession get. All of this money is paid out
by people who receive claims and is not a direct cost to the insurance
industry" said Mick Murphy the National Organiser of MIJAG.
On average 7,900 people are injured on the roads each year. An average
hospital stay is 4 days. The judgement is for £250 per day. Therefore
the total cost comes to £7.9 million. Insurance claimants had being paying
£100 per day so the increase is £4.7 million. "This money is not paid
by the industry and does not amount to another excuse to increase premiums"
Mr Murphy added.
MIJAG is holding a meeting and sponsored drive in Cashel, County Tipperary
this Sunday July 15th. MIJAG supporters from around the Country will meet
in Kearnys Castle Hotel at 3pm. At 4.30pm there will be a protest car
cavalcade on the Cork/Dublin road from Cashel to Urlingford and back.
MIJAG argues that young drivers should be charged the average premium
of £480 starting off and this should increase only if safety related
driving offences are committed. "This would give an enormous incentive
to young drivers to continue good behaviour on the road and it gives
the first time drive a chance" said Mr Murphy. MIJAG also believes driver
training and education should be part of the school curriculum.
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