A Sinn Féin motion slamming high levels of car insurance imposed on local drivers, especially those living in North Belfast has been passed by the Stormont Assembly.
North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said the result of Tuesday's debate, which criticised insurance companies for placing higher premiums on drivers here, was good news for motorists.
"It has long been a point of contention that insurers charge clients here disproportionately higher rates than clients elsewhere for similar cover and this is another hidden tax on some of our most deprived communities," the MLA said.
The motion, calling on the business minister Arlene Foster to hold talks with the insurance industry follows another move by the Assembly Finance Committee to investigate the matter further.
Statistics recently released by the Consumer Council show that residents of the North pay almost 84 per cent more in total on car, household contents and building insurance.
"Eighty-four-per-cent more for our insurance is a rip off," blasted Gerry Kelly.
"This comes on top of North Belfast people being charged higher fuel costs which we challenged Tescos on recently.
“Acting on the recent Sinn Féin proposal the Assembly Finance Committee has accepted the need for an investigation of the high cost of insurance in the North.
"We would hope that this investigation will shed light on what the true cost of insurance should be and bring some benefits to customers who are finding it hard to make ends meet in the present economic climate. It's a wonder that particularly local car owners can afford to keep their vehicle on the road."
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