Motoring: Fancy getting two year’s free car insurance?

Nissan is responding to Ireland’s high cost of motor insurance by providing new car buyers in Donegal with two year’s free insurance.

Figures released by the CSO this week show that the cost of motor car insurance has risen by 69.2% over the last three years and that it is now 25.2% more expensive to insure a car than it was this time last year.

The ground-breaking Nissan offer, which is aimed at making the cost of running a car more affordable, is available to Donegal motorists ordering any new Nissan passenger car at local dealer Letterkenny Nissan before the 31st December 2016.

Nissan is the first car brand in Ireland to recognise the impact of exorbitant insurance premiums and to respond to the concerns of consumers.

“Consumers are justifiably concerned about the rising cost of motor insurance premiums. Families are unable to afford running a second car and in some cases motorists, especially those under the age of 30, have had little choice but to stop driving,” said Seamus McLaughlin, Nissan Dealer Principal at Letterkenny Nissan.

“Nissan and the Irish Motor Industry are deeply concerned that there is no will or appetite, from any quarter, to address the issue. In the absence of a satisfactory response Nissan has taken the initiative in leading the way to make driving more affordable,” he added.

“Our two year offer insulates consumers against price hikes in insurance premiums in 2017 and 2018. This is good news for Donegal consumers and for the 12,000 people who buy a new Nissan every year,” he said.

“The cost of this offer does not come cheaply to Nissan and it certainly eats into our margins. We see it as an investment in the future of our business. Drivers who buy Nissan stay with Nissan and we are confident that we will attract and retain new customers,” explained Mr. McLaughlin.

New car buyers interested in availing of the offer must be 26 years old, have a full driving licence, no more than three penalty points and a minimum of three years no claims bonus. Insurance does not extend to commercial use.