In the past I have publicly complained and been quite verbal on the subject of how unrealistically expensive it is to insure anything in Ireland. Possibly none more so than motor insurance for young drivers, specifically young male drivers. Last year I guffawed in the direction of my long term broker Aon Bike Care, who after switching insurers to AXA, saw fit to raise my premium from €1275 to around €1700. No claims, accidents or any of that malarky. 5 years no claims bonus. Full license.

After cutting out the middle man and going straight to Hibernian I got the years coverage for not much more than €1300, quite a saving over the AXA option. Well that time of year has arrived once more and yet again I find myself up the creek without a paddle. Hibernian, whom I have been insured with since I began on two wheels sent me what I presumed was a renewal letter. It wasn’t. Instead they say;

Over the past few months Hibernian General Insurance Ltd. has carried out an in-depth review of it’s motorcycle insurance account. As a result of this review, a decision has been taken to withdraw from the motorcycle insurance market over a phased period commencing 1st July 2005.

Perhaps not entirely surprising given that Aon took the curious step of moving to another provider early last year. It’s more or less a given that Carole Nash will not cover me. They refused me cover last year on a 1300cc group 7 bike, given that I was below 25. It’s a foregone certainty that I won’t be going anywhere near AXA, crowd of thieves that they no doubt still are.

As was likely to happen anyway, I’ll probably be going uninsured and making use of my 4-wheeled transport instead. Maybe in the late spring I’ll take my status as a 25 year old and 6 years no claims bonus to Carole Nash and see what she thinks of it.

I feel for the bikers in their teens and early 20′s left with only AXA to fall on. As if premiums weren’t high enough already, now there’s even less competition!