Car Insurance Racket (General Comments)

Member Name: kevodaly

Product:	General Comments
Date:	24/10/00 (128 review reads)
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I am not too sure what Insurance premium costs are like in the UK - but here in the Republic of Ireland they are absolutely ridiculous. However, it is not so much the massive price we have to pay that bothers me, it is that my girlfriend's premium is half what I pay.

Let me make it clear that we are the same age. We both have full driving licenses. I have one year more driving experience than she does. Yet, my insurance costs 100% more.
Can this possibly be fair I ask ?
Ok you may argue that women are better drivers - i don't see many women in the F1 or WRC championships ??
I know that my premium is based on the fact that there is a large number of 17 - 21 year old complete asshole drivers who do infact think they are driving a world rally car around the roads. To these guys I express my thanks.

But I do think it's time some of us better, safer young male drivers got less of the punishment for these eejits.

My own suggestion is the introduction of a new Driver testing process in Ireland.

1. Nobody ( regardless of age or sex ) should be allowed drive on the roads until they have passed a prelimanary test - ensuring they have the basic knowledge of the rules of the road and basic driving skills to allow them drive safely.

2. After such a person has gained a certain amount of experience - they dit their 1st driving test. This will prove they are totally competent on the road and will bring their insurance premiums down a bit.

3. The 3rd step should be an advanced driving test. Any person who can pass this test would be classed as an excellant driver and i think that should be assurance enough for the insurance companies to back off with their huge premiums.

At the moment, as soon as you turn 17 - you can drive on our roads. With absolutely no experience, no qualification our government do not have a problem with you driving around. Fair enough this makes way for the insurance compa
nys to have a field day.

But you must sit your test within 4 years of starting to drive.
You have to drive around the town of your choice at 30mph, drive around a few roundabouts ( if there are any in your town ), do a hill start, reverse around a corner and do a 3-point-turn.
Now you are a fully qualified driver ! Ready to take on Michael Schumaker and the likes !!

I think you should all agree that the system needs huge improvement.
Instead of the cops getting paid to hide behind a hedge to catch a few people speeding - would'nt it be better that the money was invested to ensuring people can drive properly.

Which may in turn lead to less accidents and smaller insurance premiums for us guys.

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