Motorists in Northern Ireland are hopeful of a better deal, following the launch of a campaign by the regions Consumer Council to reduce the cost of car insurance.
Premiums across the Province have shot up by almost 73% in the last two years, with younger drivers worst hit and typically paying more than double the price for being legally on the road than in 2009.
The Council wants the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to grant it permission to examine the market in Northern Ireland, and is inviting consumers to give their support via an online petition.
Those taking the trouble to log on get the opportunity to tell their own story regarding the purchase of car insurance, with both the petition and anecdotal evidence eventually gathered up and submitted to the OFT.
The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Justice Committee can also expect to hear from the Council, as it demands a full examination of the impact on premiums of the costs associated with claims.
The watchdogs chief executive, Antoinette McKeown, comments: “The average yearly car insurance premium is now £923.90 and with the increasing cost of fuel the Consumer Council is concerned it will force some people off the road altogether, or lead to an increase in motorists driving illegally without insurance.
Historically residents of Northern Ireland have paid on average £300 more for their car insurance than in the UK generally.
In addition, they have faced the highest price within the UK for petrol, diesel or both, every month so far in 2011.