Insurance coverage in Ireland

1johnnycat wrote:

Wow.  Insurance in Ireland, now there's a topic.  We are self employed expats so no company provided insurance for us on any front.  We purchased private health insurance which I found to be quite reasonable, certainly compared to the nightmare that is self-purchased insurance in the U.S.  Our insurance in Ireland was through Aviva and it covered almost everything 100% with no or very little deductible.  Having private insurance in Ireland is definitely the way to go as it does allow you to see a private consultant very quickly. 
Auto insurance is another kettle of fish altogether.  We purchased our car and have found it extremely difficult to obtain insurance for it.  The rules about getting one's driver's license (which is a requirement for insurance coverage after 1 year of residency )in Ireland are so onerous and expensive... lessons and then a theory test then a learner's permit and you're not supposed to drive with any passengers and you're meant to only drive with another fully licensed driver.  I am a 53 year old woman who has been driving since I was 16, with a perfectly clean record in the U.S. , AND I've been driving in Ireland since 1999 at least 2 months of the year (on rentals), with no incidents whatsoever.  My husband travels extensively and yet I'm not supposed to be allowed to drive my daughter to school or myself to the supermarket without getting my mother-in-law to come with me?  It's absolutely ridiculous. I finally was able to obtain insurance through Clements International but their liability carrier (AIG) has dropped Ireland and as far as I know, they have no other liability carrier.  (If anyone know this to be inaccurate, I would love to know).  I certainly understand and respect Ireland wanting to ascertain that drivers are safe and having a rigorous driving standard but there has got to be a way to work with drivers with many years of experience and to make it easier to obtain insurance.

To be fair, the process is quite reasonable considering that American driver who killed a person in a head-on collision in Monaghan because she continually drove on the wrong side of the road.

And in relation to private health insurance, that may soon change because there is widespread criticism of the two-tier health system in Ireland among voters where many private patients get priority by consultants on the basis of money. Many want this to change.