Northern Ireland Car Insurance

Northern Ireland Car Insurance

Northern Ireland is a much safer place to live after the ongoing peace process which has significantly reduced the threat of crime and violence in the country. In 1988 the Belfast Agreement (also commonly and internationally known as the Good Friday agreement) was signed which meant that most of the paramilitary groups stopped the campaigns and violence and either declared ceasefires or entirely withdrew from the fighting. Many people don’t realise the dramatic effect that the Northern Ireland hostility between Unionists and Nationalists, and Protestants and Catholics, has had on the insurance premiums for residents in Northern Ireland, which still has an impact on costs today.

During the period of civil unrest, car and vehicle insurance was affected significantly as many cars were damaged, vandalised, stolen or used in illegal activities such as constructing roadblocks. Cars were frequently burnt or damaged in the streets during the violence, particularly in urban areas, and the price of car insurance reflected the high number of claims from affected motorists and victims.

Another issue that caused the high price of car insurance northern ireland comparison to mainland insurers in England, Scotland and Wales is the comparatively high number of road accidents in Northern Ireland. Similarly the trend of joyriding, where people steal cars or vehicles, and race them around the streets at high speeds causes a large number of accidents, collisions and even deaths.

In addition, something that further contributes to the high insurance premiums for car and vehicle insurance is the fact that many mainland insurers and underwriters have been accused of being ignorant of the driving conditions, crime rate and information about Northern Ireland; the insurance therefore remains high as insurance companies may have neglected to examine the circumstances, risks and situations effectively in Northern Ireland. The problems that caused the high price of car insurance initially have not been adequately reassessed to provide the most accurate service.

However, as the time between the ‘troubles’ of Northern Ireland increases, and the prolonged period of peace that Northern Ireland is experiencing, the number of claims is dropping and the car insurance premiums are gradually lowering. Young people and new drivers are still likely to pay much more for their car insurance but more mainland insurance companies are beginning to offer car insurance Northern Ireland. This increase in insurance providers is generating more competition, enhancing the insurance products offered and leading to an increase in online services. Online services often cut costs for insurers themselves meaning that the insurance premiums are becoming lower, and closing the gap between mainland insurance prices and Northern Ireland car insurance premiums.

These three factors; increased safety, more competition between insurers and an increase in online services are helping to lower the gap between mainland insurance premiums and premiums in Northern Ireland.

Ten years after the Good Friday agreement was signed, the historic difficulties in getting mainland insurers and underwriters to insure drivers in Northern Ireland are beginning to alleviate.