Insurance claims database legislation
Deputy Fitzpatrick asked when legislation would come forward to allow a national insurance claims database and improve fraud detection. The Minister said work was ongoing on insurance-cost measures and that he would revert with a clear timescale.
There is no national database of claims, which makes claims harder to track. The Government working group on the cost of insurance is trying to recommend that data protection legislation be amended to allow names to be shared in a national claim database. This is already operating in other jurisdictions. Insurance fraud adds €50 to the average motor insurance premium, and an additional €35 is added for uninsured drivers who go missing after an accident. When can we expect the Bill to come before the House?
Comment on this
I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Michael D'Arcy, has been working on this, and he made an announcement on progress in more than 33 initiatives put in place to tackle the cost of insurance. It is a complex issue, but I know this claims data is a high priority. I will revert to the Deputy to get a clear timescale for the legislation.