12 April 2002: Empty chairs in spaces reserved for politicians told a tale last night at a public meeting in the Green Isle Hotel, organised by the Motor Insurance Justice Action Group.

It might not be the tale the absent politicians intended to be told, but the perception was clearly taken by some 200 young drivers and a few parents that Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour 'don't care' about their insurance cost plight.

Sinn Fein didn't turn up either, though PD Leader Mary Harney did send a representative to 'take notes and report back'. The Green Party also turned up. According to MIJAG, the Lord Mayor of Dublin Michael Mulcahy had confirmed for the Dublin meeting, but he didn't make it.

The political floor was left primarily to the left, with general election candidates from the Socialist Party, the Socialist Workers Party, and the Workers Party.

MIJAG's own independent candidate in the coming election, David Green, also spoke.

Members of the audience gave individual stories of their horrific insurance costs, in most instances young people who had no accident record and paying insurance premiums of anything up to 7,000 euros for small-engine cars. MIJAG founder and General Secretary Mike Murphy - a Socialist Party election candidate - said people anywhere else in the world 'would be disgusted' at this and wouldn't believe it. "Here it’s normal, though," he said. "It is off the scale and is a ludicrous situation."

He said the only group of people who can 'take on' the situation is the young drivers. "Most in this room are eligible to vote," he told the more than 200 people present. "There are enough like you to elect at least one TD in each constituency. You have a voting rate to frighten the life out of the Government."

He also claimed the major political parties don't want to get involved because there is a 1.2 billion-euro 'kitty' for car insurance every year and motor accident work represents one-third of the income of every legal firm in Ireland.

"Every other expert under the sun is getting a cut," he said. "Nearly half of the money finds its way back in fees."

A number of those present spoke of simply not being able to afford the premiums quoted and having to use mopeds or motorcycles to get to work, transportation which statistically is up to nine times more lethally dangerous than using cars. "I was quoted 5,700 euros of a premium on a 1-litre Nissan Micra last December," one 20-year-old told IrishCar.Com. "I simply couldn't afford that, and now I drive a moped from Celbridge to Kylemore Road every day."

Ian Baytson, aged 21, pays 2,500 euros to drive on his father’s policy. He was quoted nearly 5,000 euros on a Ford Focus for himself, despite the fact that he has a full no claims bonus.

Another young man’s insurance was 3,500 euros and his renewal notice has put it up by 400 euros. The car is a fiat Punto, he has been driving since he was 17, and has a full licence since last year and no claims.

"I'm only an apprentice and I'm paying 900 euros a month between repayments on my Clio and the insurance premium," another said. "And I've never had so much as a parking ticket!"

Declan Bolger from Lucan (right) told how his eldest son pays 4,500 euros insurance for a 1.1-litre Starlet, another son pays 3,000 euros as a named driver on his wife’s car, while his daughter pays 1,200 euros. "It’s a burden on myself and my wife and on the kids. My other daughter had a tip two years ago and now they won’t insure her at all. Her car is outside the door. My own van insurance went up by 200 euros today and I have never had an accident in 15 years' driving. It’s a problem in the majority of homes in the area we live. It’s outrageous."

And he said that five votes in his house certainly won't be going to anyone from the main political parties in the coming election.

The evening wasn't just reserved to the young drivers. A hackney driver who has 18 years without an accident has had his insurance has increased by 600 euros 'because of Sept 11th'. "I told them I wasn’t in New York at the time! I have no choice but to insure through AXA, paying a commercial insurance of 2,500 euros. They told me if I didn’t like it, I didn’t have to take it! But I have no option."

Geoffrey O’Donoghue (right) said the insurance industry 'is killing people' by forcing them to drive bangers or use motorcycles because they can't afford the premiums on anything else.

Niall Smart (left) from Stillorgan has been driving for 2 years, paying over 4,000 euros a year for comprehensive insurance. When his car was stolen, his insurance went up to 10,000 euros. "I couldn’t afford to renew the policy," he said. "I submitted a complaint four months ago to the Insurance Federation, who are supposed to give a response within two weeks, and I'm still waiting to hear from them. Meanwhile, my car remains in the garage."

The mother of a 19-year-old told how an administrative delay in taking a direct debit for a monthly premium led to her son's 6,000 euros a year policy being cancelled. "Quinn Direct told me it would cost him 8,500 euros a year to restart with them, even though we have never seen a letter they claim they sent telling him he owed a month," she said. "Fortunately, we found another broker who has taken him on board for 6,000 euros a year."

Overall, the main political parties and the insurance industry came in for heated criticism. And, on the face of it, they deserved it. If they believed they don't, why didn't they turn up, even those who had promised to?

There's a groundswell of anger here which they should be aware of. By ignoring it, they may well be ensuring that over the next few years an increasing number of young people will be supporting minority radical parties and politics. Simply because they perceive they are victims of a cosy 'rip-off' situation between the political and insurance sectors.

However, Fine Gael Leader Michael Noonan has confirmed to MIJAG that he will attend the Limerick meeting next Monday 15th in the Royal George Hotel at
8pm.

©2002irishcar.com