75,000 Irish drivers left uninsured after policy provider collapses

TENS OF thousands of motorists in Ireland have been warned their insurance policies may be useless after the collapse of an insurer.

The Central Bank has urged policy holders with Setanta Insurance to switch their cover after the Malta-based company went into liquidation.

It is believed as many as 75,000 motorists are insured by the firm in Ireland, which is popular among smaller businesses who use vans for their deliveries and trading.

In a statement, the Central Bank said: "Setanta is not in a position to confirm that claims will be met in full since any and all claims will be subject to the relevant liquidation process.

"Policyholders should therefore make arrangements for alternative cover without delay."

The Central Bank - which has no regulatory authority over Setanta - said it was notified by the Maltese Financial Services Authority that the shareholders of Setanta were winding up the company.

"The Central Bank will require Setanta to write to all policyholders to advise them of the situation and its implications for them," it added.

Setanta Insurance said in a statement on its website that policyholders would be covered until they are notified of their policy being cancelled.

But it added: "The company is, however, not in a position to confirm that claims in this interim period will be met in full since any and all claims will be subject to the relevant liquidation process.

"Policyholders may wish to consider their right to cancel their policy and seek alternative coverage."

By Brian Hutton, Press Association