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European Commission to investigate whether Insurance Ireland is operating a cartel

Insurance Ireland said it is confident its practices are fully compliant with competition law.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION has opened a formal investigation into Insurance Ireland’s data pooling system.

The investigation will assess whether the association is operating a cartel with the conditions of access to its data pooling system. The Commission will look at whether these conditions restrict competition, which would be a breach of EU rules.

“Insurance is essential for all car drivers in Europe,” said Commissioner Margrethe Vestager today.

“We are investigating whether companies wishing to offer their services on the Irish motor insurance market may have been unfairly prevented from accessing a data pool managed by Insurance Ireland for its member companies.

“This could potentially reduce Irish drivers’ choice of motor insurance policies at competitive prices.”

The launch of this anti-trust investigation follows inspections carried out in July 2017 in the Irish motor insurance market. Antitrust investigations are designed to assess whether agreements of decisions of associations are anti-competitive.

‘Effective competition’

Insurance Ireland is an association that brings together a number of insurance firms in Ireland. It manages a database called InsuranceLink which contains information provided by member companies about insurance claims.

The Commission said the stated purpose of the system is to facilitate the detection of potentially fraudulent behaviour by claimants and to ensure the accuracy of information provided by potential customers to insurance companies and/or their agents.

“The Commission does not question that data pooling arrangements can contribute to effective competition. The participation in and access to a data pool by insurance service providers may directly benefit consumers in terms of ensuring more suitable products and competitive prices.”

The investigation will assess whether the conditions imposed on companies wishing to access this database may have put these companies at a competitive disadvantage on the Irish motor insurance market in comparison to companies that already have access to it.

If proven, the practices may breach EU competition rules which prohibit agreements between companies that prevent, restrict or distort competition within the EU single market.

Insurance Ireland has noted the decision to open a formal investigation and said it is important to note that the commission has not reached any conclusions or made any findings. 

“Insurance Ireland understands that the investigation is focused on the InsuranceLink database, which is a secure database that holds claims information as a tool to assist in fraud detection. InsuranceLink is accessed by Insurance Ireland members and non-members and has been in operation since 1988,” it said in a statement.

“Insurance Ireland is cooperating fully with the European Commission in its enquiries and is confident its practices are fully compliant with competition law.”

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    Mute Elaine
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:10 PM

    The stock photo used is not a whooper swan. For photos and information on whooper swan please go to http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/IrelandsBirds/Swans/WhooperSwan/tabid/151/Default.aspx

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    Mute Michael Mcshane
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    Nov 11th 2017, 12:41 AM

    @Elaine: the journal just can’t even get the simplest of things right…couldn’t even google the proper picture, I love to see the whooper swan in winter there is a lake with a long meadow near me and the return to it every year, a wonderful sight :)

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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:50 PM

    Migrating over here….and stealing our power lines. They’ve some neck all the same.

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    Mute Appaddy
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    Nov 11th 2017, 12:02 AM

    @Tweed Cap: brilliant- how dare they cannot they take a joke

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    Mute Dave.
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    Nov 11th 2017, 1:34 AM

    @Tweed Cap: The Ethnic Minority might have a thing or two to teach them how you really do it, amateur hour getting electrocuted.

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    Mute Dave Sherman
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    Nov 11th 2017, 12:04 AM

    Does Paul Murphy know about this?

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:06 PM

    I doubt they were electrocuted..

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    Mute Noel James Doherty
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:38 PM

    @William Grogan: what are you saying poison?

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    Mute Big bad bull
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    Nov 11th 2017, 1:38 AM

    @Noel James Doherty: he must be related some ways…..

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    Mute tom McCormack
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    Nov 11th 2017, 7:45 AM

    The electricity should be switched off while swans are in the area. Ireland should welcome all migrant ..birds.

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    Mute brian mclaughlin
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    Nov 11th 2017, 5:44 PM

    Some constructive comments The majority were of an uneducated nature. Why waste your time and energy If you cannot be construtive?

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    Mute Pizyco
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:03 PM

    sad-black swan event.

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    Mute eastsmer
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    Nov 11th 2017, 3:32 PM

    Bury all power lines

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    Mute Dave barrett
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    Nov 11th 2017, 9:04 AM

    Whats all the flap about!

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    Mute Faustina O Farrell
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    Nov 11th 2017, 9:05 AM

    More nonsense.

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    Mute Appaddy
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:50 PM

    Can they not take a joke

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    Mute Patrick J. O'Rourke
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    Nov 11th 2017, 11:30 AM

    The solution is a very simple device and you will see it all the time if you look up.

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