The high cost of car insurance continues to put pressure on Northern Ireland motorists, and South Antrim MP Doug Beattie Swann has called on government ministers to take practical steps to reduce premiums.
Swann recently submitted recommendations to the Government’s new Car Insurance Taskforce and has written to Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA and Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP outlining concrete measures to ease the insurance burden.
In his letter to the Justice Minister, Swann proposed adopting an online injury claims management portal, similar to the system in England and Wales. The portal would allow drivers to lodge personal injury claims up to £5,000 without going to court.
Under the proposed system, claimants register their case online. The at-fault driver’s insurer investigates the claim, and all communication is handled through the portal. If an agreement is not reached, both parties can make counteroffers before legal proceedings are initiated. Swann says such a portal would reduce court backlogs and cut legal costs, potentially lowering premiums for drivers.
Swann also urged the Treasury to address the lack of regulation for Claims Management Companies (CMCs) in Northern Ireland. Unlike England, Scotland, and Wales, Northern Ireland’s CMCs are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The region has more CMCs than other parts of the UK, which, according to the Association of British Insurers, can add 15–30% to the cost of claims by taking a cut of compensation that never reaches consumers.
“These are practical and pragmatic steps that both the Department of Justice and Treasury can take to address high insurance costs,” Swann said. “These two proposals could serve as the first steps toward a better deal for drivers.”
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