Has anyone here insured a locost in the Republic of Ireland, I'd like to know who with and how much. I'm 20, have been driving with a full license as a named driver for over 3 incident free years and I can't even get a quote.

I plan on starting building one later this year, but if I can't get insurance, I'm not sure whether the risk is worth it.

Mark from Lurgan here, I,ve not started building yet but I got advice from the lads in the Ulster Kit-car club who were very helpfull, I cant remember the company's name but when my Locost is ready I'll check with these guy's again, I got a quote for £178, 6000mls per year, 27yr old, TPFT and I've never had my own insurance always additional driver and the wife the polisy holder just because I was a young man with a Gti.

Finally got the insurance company to insure the car under the old man's company - which wasn't easy. Apart from this I would have to wait until I was at least 28 to get any form of quote whatsoever - even then you're talking around 5000.

Basically whats going on is that the only 3 companies in Ireland who do insurance for sub 25 year olds have been proven to be charging wildly extortionate rates (extortionate = a 23yr old friend of mine was quoted 15k for a bimmer 320). The government won't stop this because they're getting a cut - simple as that.

ill never moan bout my insurance again,£700 fully comp motor traders policy up to £50,000 car value

Yeah, I know I feel like I'm being skrewed sometimes, but I know how bad you guys have got it over there. Nice country, crap insurance, there you have it!

Kingr

Get yourself a flat in England, somewhere with cheap insurance and insure yourself, then go back. If anything happens tell them you were visiting or just keep your mouth shut and stand to the cost. You can rent a furnished house round here for £70 a week, £3600 a year leaves £1400 to make insurance up to £5000. You could even sublet and make money back..

yours, Pete.

Peteff,

I don't know whether you're joking or not but you're idea (a very good one) is not an original I'm afraid. In fact i know a couple of guys who do exactly what you described - I just wouldn't want to be one of them if/when the Insurance company finds out.

Lately though, people are becoming less tolerant of the situation, partly because the current government has been feeding the country a pack of false promises.

Check out www.mijag.com if you're interested

It seemed so blindingly obvious that it has to be illegal, but if the opportunity is there someone has got to try it.

yours, Pete.

There you have it - proof that the state of insurance over here is a joke.

We were in Dublin a couple of years ago in a B&B on Lower Gardiner street and noticed that almost all the cars had some kind of damage, obviously nobody bothers with claims. None of the motorbikes were over 400cc either, mostly couriers I think, and there were pushbikes chained to railings everywhere. We worked out to cross the road you had to be born on that side, or wait at the crossing with the fittest girl on it. Great place though, enjoyed the stay.

yours, Pete