This paper is an in depth look at the practice of insurance steering, a tactic employed by many insurance companies. This paper attempts to establish that this practice is anti-competitive nature, drawing on various aspects of Irish, European and American sources of competition and insurance law.
Insurance Steering in the Motor Trade Industry is the practice by where insurers pressure, mislead and forcefully imply to consumers that they must use one of their “approved” or “preferred” repairers. While this practice benefits the insurance company, and often even the consumer due to financial incentives to take the insurers advice, it has led to many body-shops across the country being excluded. Any bodyshop not in this exclusive network of repairers have found themselves in a rather precarious position. While complaints have been made that this is anti-competitive and harming the market, as well as consumer welfare and choice, the claims have failed to be heard in Ireland.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Insurance Law in Ireland
- The Claims Process
- Competition Act 2002.
- The Place of the Consumer in Competition Law
- The Rights of the Consumer, a Competition Law Objective?
- The Role of Competition Authorities.
- The Competition Authority in Ireland
- A European Stance......
- Assessing the Market..
- Anti-Competitive Foreclosure.
- Vertical Restraints.
- The Irish Market
- The American Stance.
- Conclusion.....
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the practice of insurance steering in the motor trade industry, where insurers pressure consumers to use their "approved" repairers. The paper explores the potential anti-competitive nature of this practice, drawing on Irish, European, and American sources. It evaluates the current state of the market, focusing on Irish primary sources, and assesses the implications for insurance law, competition law, and consumer welfare.
- The anti-competitive nature of insurance steering
- The role of insurance and competition law in regulating the practice
- The impact of insurance steering on consumer choice and welfare
- A comparative analysis of the legal landscape in Ireland, Europe, and the United States
- The importance of primary research in understanding the Irish market
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of insurance steering in the motor trade industry, outlining its potential anti-competitive nature and the lack of attention it has received in Ireland. It also previews the paper's objectives and methodology, highlighting its reliance on primary research and comparative analysis.
- Insurance Law in Ireland: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of Irish insurance law, specifically focusing on motor vehicle insurance. It explores the historical development of regulations, including the Insurance Act 1936 and the Road Traffic Act 1961, and examines the role of the Central Bank of Ireland in regulating the industry.
- The Claims Process: This chapter delves into the practicalities of making a claim following a car accident. It highlights the potential vulnerability of consumers during the claims process and emphasizes the importance of understanding the procedures from an unbiased perspective. It also discusses the potential for insurance companies to exert undue influence on consumers.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on insurance steering, competition law, consumer welfare, motor trade industry, Irish law, European law, American law, primary research, and anti-competitive practices.
- Quote paper
- Lindsay Pulsford (Author), 2015, Insurance Steering in the Irish Motor Trade Industry, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/336980
