NI drivers paying too much: Swann presses ministers to act and proposes solutions to cut premiums

Robin Swann MP

Robin Swann MP has called on both the Justice Minister and the Chancellor to take urgent action to reduce the high costs of car insurance faced by drivers in Northern Ireland.

The South Antrim MP has proposed a series of “practical and pragmatic steps” aimed at tackling what he described as a “significant pressure on Northern Ireland’s motorists.”

Mr Swann said:

“The high costs of car insurance, an essential cost for every driver, remains a significant pressure on Northern Ireland’s motorists. Every driver should be able to access car insurance at a reasonable cost and this is an issue that I am continuing to find solutions to.”

The MP confirmed he has submitted recommendations to the Government’s new Car Insurance Taskforce, which he says are being considered as part of an ongoing review.

Alongside this, he has also written directly to Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA and Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP, setting out measures which he believes could bring immediate benefits.

Online injury claims portal proposal

In his letter to the Justice Minister, Mr Swann urged the adoption of an online injury claims management portal similar to that already in place in England and Wales.

This system allows drivers to lodge personal injury claims following road traffic accidents up to a value of £5,000 without the need to go through the courts.

Claims are registered online, investigated by the at-fault driver’s insurer, and negotiations are managed within the portal. Only after several failed offers can the case proceed to court.

Mr Swann argued that such a system would reduce pressure on Northern Ireland’s already backlogged courts, cut legal costs for insurers, and ultimately lead to lower premiums for drivers.

Tackling unregulated claims management companies

The South Antrim MP has also asked the Treasury to address what he described as a “significant gap in consumer protection” for Northern Ireland motorists.

Unlike in England, Scotland and Wales, Claims Management Companies (CMCs) in Northern Ireland are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). According to the Association of British Insurers, these firms can add between 15% and 30% to the cost of a claim by taking a percentage of compensation payments, increasing overall insurance costs.

Mr Swann called on the Chancellor to extend the FCA’s regulatory remit to Northern Ireland.

He added:

“These are practical and pragmatic steps that both the Department of Justice and Treasury can take to actually address these high insurance costs.

“This issue requires action to be taken – and these two proposals could serve as the first steps in a better deal for drivers.”