The number of uninsured private vehicles on Irish roads has plummeted by nearly 50% since the introduction of the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), a system designed to help gardaí identify uninsured drivers quickly and efficiently.
According to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), 101,881 uninsured private vehicles were recorded on Irish roads last year, representing 4.2% of all private vehicles. This marks a significant drop from 2022, when approximately 187,000 uninsured vehicles—roughly one in 12—were on the roads, a figure four times higher than the EU average. Last year, the ratio improved to one in 25 vehicles.
The MIBI estimates that claims involving uninsured drivers add €35 to the cost of motor insurance policies, underscoring the importance of tackling this issue. The IMID, launched last year, has been instrumental in this progress. The database compiles detailed information, including policyholder details, vehicle registration numbers, permitted drivers, and driver numbers, provided by motor insurers, brokers, fleet owners, and motor traders. This data is shared with the Department of Transport and An Garda Síochána, enabling swift action against uninsured drivers.
For the first time, the IMID has also allowed the MIBI to assess uninsured commercial vehicles, which are required to be listed in the national fleet database. Of the estimated 425,000 fleet and motor trade vehicles, only 364,889 have been registered so far.
MIBI Chief Executive David Fitzgerald praised the system’s impact, stating, “The IMID is proving to be a powerful tool in reducing uninsured driving. Last year, gardaí seized 18,676 vehicles and issued 26,094 summonses and charges, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness in enabling rapid detection and enforcement.”
The Alliance for Insurance Reform welcomed the consultation but expressed frustration that prior reforms have primarily boosted insurance company profits rather than lowering premiums. Chief Executive Brian Hanley urged the Government to prioritize attracting new entrants to the liability market and increasing settlement volumes at the Injuries Resolution Board. He also warned against a proposed 17% increase in personal injury awards, which could raise premiums and reduce settlements.
The IMID’s success and ongoing reform efforts signal a concerted push to improve Ireland’s insurance landscape, benefiting both drivers and policyholders.
According to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), 101,881 uninsured private vehicles were recorded on Irish roads last year, representing 4.2% of all private vehicles. This marks a significant drop from 2022, when approximately 187,000 uninsured vehicles—roughly one in 12—were on the roads, a figure four times higher than the EU average. Last year, the ratio improved to one in 25 vehicles.
The MIBI estimates that claims involving uninsured drivers add €35 to the cost of motor insurance policies, underscoring the importance of tackling this issue. The IMID, launched last year, has been instrumental in this progress. The database compiles detailed information, including policyholder details, vehicle registration numbers, permitted drivers, and driver numbers, provided by motor insurers, brokers, fleet owners, and motor traders. This data is shared with the Department of Transport and An Garda Síochána, enabling swift action against uninsured drivers.
For the first time, the IMID has also allowed the MIBI to assess uninsured commercial vehicles, which are required to be listed in the national fleet database. Of the estimated 425,000 fleet and motor trade vehicles, only 364,889 have been registered so far.
MIBI Chief Executive David Fitzgerald praised the system’s impact, stating, “The IMID is proving to be a powerful tool in reducing uninsured driving. Last year, gardaí seized 18,676 vehicles and issued 26,094 summonses and charges, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness in enabling rapid detection and enforcement.”
Government Launches Insurance Reform Consultation
In parallel, the Irish Government has initiated a public consultation on insurance reform, aiming to boost competition, transparency, and affordability in the insurance market. The consultation, open for three weeks, seeks input from consumers, representative groups, and industry stakeholders. This follows previous reforms, including judicial guidelines, enhancements to the Injuries Resolution Board, the establishment of a Garda Insurance Fraud Coordination Office, and legislation revising occupiers’ duty of care passed in July 2023.The Alliance for Insurance Reform welcomed the consultation but expressed frustration that prior reforms have primarily boosted insurance company profits rather than lowering premiums. Chief Executive Brian Hanley urged the Government to prioritize attracting new entrants to the liability market and increasing settlement volumes at the Injuries Resolution Board. He also warned against a proposed 17% increase in personal injury awards, which could raise premiums and reduce settlements.
The IMID’s success and ongoing reform efforts signal a concerted push to improve Ireland’s insurance landscape, benefiting both drivers and policyholders.
