Driving in Ireland [new driver insurance]

Alexanderis

I'd like to start by thanking Ireland for making me get up and start driving, or rather learning to drive. Its incredible that the cars are soo cheap around here and the roads are pretty decent and easy on learner drivers.

I've taken my theory exam last month and already started the driving lessons with Des Bannon. He is a great instructor and its been a blast learning to drive and actually enjoying the process.

I even bought a car(cheapo 2004) and I look forward to start driving, everything is awesome.

Or rather WAS awesome. I started looking for insurance. I am starting to hate Ireland and looking forward to see every insurance company burn. Are the quotes real? 3k - 6k for leaner drivers? Is that normal?!
Anyone know any insurers around Limerick that will give a reasonable quote, like 2k or under?

bisounours

Check out the motoring section - general consensus seems to be getting lessons through Aviva and their "linked" insurance or through Boxymo with a tracker installed in the car to be cheaper options

Alexanderis

Already tried boxymo and they refused to quote me.
I don't think Aviva is an option since the "linked" insurance means I have to be added on another insurance.
I've moved to Ireland in March this year and I'm 30 years old. Tried the "Drive Safe" app from Axa but I am too old to be included on that plan.

Compared to my home country(Romania) insurance is a royal pain around here. Seems almost everyone is giving out about the prices lately.

Wilbert13

Have you tried a broker? Companies like ARB, Kennco & Wrightway deal solely with brokers and have different products where you can take options likehigher excesses etc to reduce premium. One issue not in your favour is car is over 10 years old....once a car reaches a certain age rates increase

Alexanderis

Yep tried all sorts of online brokers. Went through about 30-40 sites and a dozen or more phone calls this afternoon.
Most of them don't insure me due to 0 NCB. Other just insure me for crazy ammounts like 3k or 5.5k.

I'll try to go through the brokers in the city on Monday morning and see how that goes.

Jmccoy1

Try www.25plus.ie

Clareman

Moving from Limerick to Motors

Daaryl

Coverinaclick are usually good for new drivers, Seen a few people starting out and getting quotes under and around the 2k mark

Pov06

I would look into getting a quote from a broker such as First Ireland. It can be difficult getting decent quotes directly from insurance companies.

Squidgy Black

What kind of car is it?

Alexanderis

Car is a 2004 VW Bora 1.4

Her is a "small list" of the companies I tried:

First Ireland --- Declined!
Allianz --- 1 year minimum/DECLINED
ARB Underwriting LTD --- No direct insurance
Asgard --- No direct insurance
Aviva Insurance --- Declined!
Axa Broker --- 2935
Axa Direct --- 2935
Axa Insurance --- 2935
Chartis Insurance --- Became AIG
Chubb Insurance --- NOT FOUND
Cigna Insurance of Europe --- OUT OF BUSINESS
Cornhill --- OUT OF BUSINESS
Ecclesiastical Insurance Office PLC --- OUT OF BUSINESS
Europe General --- NOT FOUND
FBD Insurance --- 1 year minimum/DECLINED
FC Rebrokered Axa Broker --- NOT FOUND
First Call Direct --- NOT FOUND
Generali Insurance --- NOT FOUND
Kennco Underwriting Ltd --- Declined!
Liberty Underwriting --- 5282
Prestige Underwriting Services --- No direct insurance
Quinn Direct --- Became Liberty
Royal & Sun Insurance --- Declined! via 123.com
AIG --- HAVE TO CALL
SimplyInsure.ie --- 3546
http://www.coverme.ie/ --- 3414
www.blueinsurance.ie --- Declined! 10 year car
Sertus Underwriting --- To check brokers ---
Setanta Insurance --- OUT OF BUSINESS ---
Torch --- NOT FOUND ---
Travelers Insurance --- No direct insurance ---
Wright Way Underwriting --- No direct insurance ---
XS Direct --- Declined! ---
Zurich Insurance --- 1 year minimum/DECLINED ---
quoteme.ie --- To call --
boxymo.ie --- Declined! ---
kennco.ie --- Declined! ---
pibasure.ie --- 3546 ---
123.ie --- Declined! ---
coverinaclick.ie --- ASKED ---
bestquote.ie --- 5864 --- Through Champion insurance
www.chill.ie --- 5200+ Through Liberty ---
www.theaa.ie --- Declined!
www.onedirect.ie --- 1 year minimum/DECLINED --- underwritten by Aviva
www.fbd.ie --- 3 year minimum/DECLINED ---
www.nononsense.ie --- Declined! ---
www.sheridan.ie --- HAVE TO CALL ---
www.25plus.ie --- Declined! ---
www.allianz.ie --- Declined! ---
www.topquote.ie --- Declined! ---
www.brittoninsurance.ie --- TO CALL 074 9721304 ---
www.insure4less.ie --- TBD if details given or not ---
https://www.its4women.ie/ --- Declined! ---
https://supervalu.ie/insurance --- 1 year minimum/DECLINED ---

slimjimmc

Get three written refusals then go to the Declined Cases Committee. Someone will have to insure you afaik and not at an exorbitant rate (relatively speaking).

http://www.insuranceireland.eu/consumer-information/general-non-life-insurance/motor

Pov06

I think the car is the problem here to be honest. Golfs/Passats/Boras are all being driven by youngsters today who would have been driving Civics 10 years ago.

You would have more look with a lower profile car like a Corsa, Micra, Clio, Yaris, 106 etc.

To Elland Back

slimjimmc wrote: »

Get three written refusals then go to the Declined Cases Committee. Someone will have to insure you afaik and not at an exorbitant rate (relatively speaking).

http://www.insuranceireland.eu/consumer-information/general-non-life-insurance/motor

The OP has obtained quotes. The declined cases committee is not there to find you a premium you want to pay.

DakarVert

Things must be bad!

Can't believe First Ireland refused!
They quoted me €1100 at 18 on a provisional on a 1.4 Golf about 1.5 years ago.

Not looking forward to renewal in December.

Alexanderis

DakarVert wrote: »

Things must be bad!

Can't believe First Ireland refused!
They quoted me €1100 at 18 on a provisional on a 1.4 Golf about 1.5 years ago.

Not looking forward to renewal in December.

I called back again today just to make sure why they refused me. They answer was I did not have 1 year residency in Ireland. I've arrived in Ireland in March.

Can they really discriminate based on residency or is that just another way to make me go away?!

" All first time drivers who complete a course of 10+ lessons with a First Ireland insured Driving Instructor automatically qualify for a 1 year introductory discount plus further discount of minimum 10%."

If I were a resident for one year it would have been 1300.....Please someone explain to me how this works. It may just be that the system won't accept the 1 year NCB if I wasn't in Ireland. Thats probably just a small technical issue.

Can I go to them and argue that it isn't specified anywhere that I have to be a resident for 1 year?

Alexanderis

UPDATE: Eric from Campion insurance called and they got me a quote for 2k. I know its not the best but given my circumstances I chose to go with them.
They are underwriten by Prestige Underwriting Services.
Oh well the hunt is over till next year.

To Elland Back

Alexanderis wrote: »

If I were a resident for one year it would have been 1300.....Please someone explain to me how this works. It may just be that the system won't accept the 1 year NCB if I wasn't in Ireland. Thats probably just a small technical issue.

Insurer like to know that you will have some form of extended residency for 2 reasons

Firstly, so that you are familiarised with our road conditions and customs but more importantly that you are not just 'passing through' If you are involved in an accident, insurers would prefer if you were still around to help them investigate and be available as a witness in court if required