Northern Ireland drivers making a claim on their motor insurance policy with an unprotected no claims discount (NCD) could see the cost of their premiums go up by nearly three-quarters.

Research by Money Supermarket suggests a car insurance policy-holder in Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the UK who had five years' unprotected NCD would have their premiums hiked from £528 to £911, an increase of 73 per cent.

In contrast, motorists with five years' protected NCD making a claim would only see an 18 per cent rise in the price of their average premium, from £590 to £694.

The comparison site's Steve Sweeney affirms that Northern Ireland motor insurance customers who build up their NCD over a number of years can avail of "a valuable commodity" and trim the cost of their premiums significantly.

"But be warned, if you protect your policy but don't make a claim for a number of years, you could find that you are eroding any potential savings," he adds.

Northern Ireland car insurance customers are also reminded that some providers allow multiple claims on protected policies without penalty, while others will allow only two claims.

A new agreement between ministers across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the wider UK means drivers disqualified for serious motoring offences in the Republic of Ireland will no longer escape punishment when they return home.

Similarly, disqualifications earned by Irish motorists while in the UK will be recognised and enforced when they return to the Republic.

Northern Ireland road safety minister Edwin Poots commented that a reduction in the number of road deaths and serious injuries since the mid-1990s means "we now have some of the safest roads in the world".

“But we need to continue to work tirelessly to make our roads even safer and, if a UK driver commits a serious offence while in another jurisdiction, it is right that their disqualification should still apply when they return home," he added.

"This new law will ensure that disqualified drivers are not able to escape their punishment and so keep dangerous drivers off the roads."

Northern Ireland car insurance experts have also pointed out that the new law, which took effect last week, is the first practical step to recognise driving disqualifications in Europe under the terms of the 1998 European Convention on driving disqualifications.

Safety would be boosted and pollution reduced if a system to control the speed of cars on Northern Ireland's roads was introduced. The Sustainable Development Commission proposes that "intelligent speed adaption" be used to ensure motorists do not break the speed limit, in a move also likely to shake up the car insurance landscape.

"While information technology alone will not provide all the answers, it could go a long way towards making travel in Northern Ireland safer, more pleasant and more sustainable," says Jim Kitchen, head of the Commission in the region.

First investigated by England's Department of Transport, intelligent speed adaption technology would be linked to a vehicle's engine and braking system, controlling its speed to ensure it does not exceed the legal limit.

In its report, "Smarter Moves: How Information Communications Technology can promote Sustainable Mobility", the Commission notes that greenhouse gas emissions from road transport represented almost a third of Northern Ireland's total carbon output in 2007.

The body suggests that information technology solutions could help cut emissions, congestion, accidents and noise levels, as well as improving health and air quality by reducing the need to travel and helping people to drive more efficiently.

Experienced motorists in Northern Ireland are welcoming the launch of a new car insurance product aimed directly at their end of the market.

The arrival of AXA Car insurance also comes on the heels of the latest AA British Insurance Premium Index, which highlighted the biggest-ever jump upward in the cost of UK car insurance during the last three months of 2009.

Motorists in Northern Ireland who have been claim-free for eight years or more can benefit from a no claims discount of up to 90 per cent from AXA – that's the highest level available in the market at the moment.

Another attraction boasted by the new motor insurance product is a courtesy car in instances of fire and theft. Furthermore, £1 million Driver Injury Cover – an add-on priced at £34.99 per year – provides protection against medical costs and loss of earnings for motorists injured in accidents that are their own fault.

Tina Shortle from AXA, who notes that experienced drivers make up "well over a third" of the driving population, comments: "At a time when prices are rising sharply in this market, we felt that drivers with a proven track record deserved more."

Northern Ireland motorists aged 80 and older are still often discriminated against when they seek car insurance quotes, according to research by Age Concern and Help the Aged.

The charity's study suggests that half of motor insurance providers automatically exclude drivers in that age bracket who approach them for a quote – regardless of the health status of the vehicle owner in question.

Andrew Harrop, head of public policy at the charity, explains that the research was released to coincide with the publication of the Government Equalities Office's response to a consultation entitled "Ending Age Discrimination in Goods and Public Services", in relation to the Equality Bill.

In it, the Office recommends the continued use of upper age limits and the insurance industry's refusal of quotes, something that Age Concern and Help the Aged claim endorses – and possibly increases – age discrimination across the sector.

He adds that the decision confirms older people as "second-class" consumers: "The insurance industry must wake up to the fact that more of us than ever are living longer, healthier and more active lives.

"Continuing to discriminate against our ageing population is not only bad for older people, it is bad for business."