Motor insurers record €142m profit

The insurance industry has defended rising profits at motor insurance companies, despite a fall in the cost of claims. 

A new Central Bank report shows claim costs have fallen 9% over the last ten years, yet premiums have risen by over one third.

Last year, the main motor insurers made €142 million in profit, an increase of €12 million on the previous year.

Insurance Ireland chief executive, Moyagh Murdock, says there needs to be a sustainable market for those firms.

"I would say insurers need to make a profit, they need to be sustainable, they need to have a return on investment.

"If they are not making some profit in this country, they will exit the market.

"We've seen insurers leave the market, we've seen insurers go insolvent - that is not a good place."

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