Motoring

In brief... In brief
FOUR out of ten car Merlin Car Auctions, Irish Car Rentals has
insurers expect motor according to its managing scrapped its ban on hiring
insurance premiums to director David Byrne. cars to drivers aged 75 or
rise by up to 10 percent to he said,
2006,' over, and imposing a
'Up
next year, according to a accounted surcharge for over 70s,
'repossessions
survey by Deloitte, with for between 7 percent and after an Australian tourist
another four out of ten 11 of our complained to the
percent
anticipating a 5 percent business.' Equality Authority.
increase.
'There has also been a Following negotiations
Chairman of the huge change in the mix of
with the Authority, the
Consumers' Association vehicles coming for company agreed to
James Doorley said there disposal at auction, even remove the ban and
was no justification for an between this year and last surcharge. Instead, it has
increase: 'The year. introduced a safety
independent analysis The average value last assessment form which
shows that claims costs considers health,
are coming down and year was from €8,000 -
€9,000, and this year it has experience and insurance.
profits are going up.'
gone up to between Niall Crowley, the Equality
Deloitte's Dick Tulloch €13,000 and €14,500.' Authority's chief
said insurers made profits executive, said he
He adds that the number
of €551 last year
m

of private buyers has welcomed the decision

including investment increased as welh'ln 2003, but that age limits were
gains. 6 percent of our total sales widespread in the car hire
were to private buyers; sector and that a number
REPOSSESSIONS account today they account for 40 of other cases were under
for between 29 and 34 per percent.' investigation.
cent of the business at