17 Oct 2013
Posted by Conor Faughnan 
More than a quarter (25.6%) of motorists regularly drive a second car according to an AA Motor Insurance survey of over 17,300 people. Men are also more likely to drive a second car than women, as almost a third of male motorists (32.5%) regularly drive a second vehicle, compared to 17% of women. With this in mind The AA is advising motorists to make sure they’re not over-insured.
“It’s quite common for motorists to drive more than one vehicle” says Conor Faughnan Director of Consumer Affairs at The AA. “Think about families with young children; one parent may be responsible for dropping the kids off at school or crèche Monday to Friday and when the other parent takes over the kiddy-driving duties at the weekend there is an issue with child car seats. It is common for grandparents, fellow parents or neighbours to share the taxi duties. Rather than laboriously moving the seats from one car to the next, it’s easier to just swop cars. The AA makes this even easier if you have cover with them as your insurance on your main car will cover you for both vehicles.”
The survey also found that a high percentage of drivers in the commuter counties around Dublin regularly, if not daily, drive a second car. The highest percentage can be found in Meath, with almost a third (32.7%) saying they regularly drive another car. Percentages were also high in Wexford (30.6%), Kildare (29.5%) and Louth (28.9%). The percentage of people driving second cars in Dublin is relatively low (21.9%) in comparison, which may have something to do with the fact that there is more public transport in the capital.
In Munster motorists in Cork were the most likely to drive a second car with 28.4% saying they regularly drive someone else’s motor. This figure was highest in Connacht in Co Sligo (30%) and in Ulster in Co Donegal (31%).
Research carried out by The AA in January of this year found that almost 58% of motorists had struggled to pay for motor fuel, car tax, NCT or motor insurance in 2012. “Money is tight for so many Irish motorists at the moment but you may be adding an unnecessary cost onto your bills” says Faughnan. “If you’re with The AA you can jump from car to car as your insurance will give you fully comprehensive cover to drive other people’s cars. This means you won’t need to take out separate insurance cover for both vehicles.”
For over 100 years The AA has been looking after Irish motorists and that’s the main focus of car insurance with The AA; the driver is covered not just the car.
Conor Faughnan spoke about this on Ireland AM on Thursday 17th November 2013, to watch the video click here.
To find out more about Motor Insurance with The AA or to get a quote click here.
