Leading insurance company Quinn Direct has confirmed it is not quoting for motor insurance for parts of Dublin because of the high number of claims received in recent times.
Under a new policy introduced earlier this month, the company is refusing to quote for new business in parts of Tallaght and Clondalkin until further notice.
A spokesman said there were a "very small number" of areas in the country - amounting to less than 1 per cent of land area - where Quinn Direct is not providing quotes, because recent claims experience was "extremely poor".
The spokesman declined to provide a list of other areas where cover is not being offered, saying this was commercially sensitive information which was reviewed regularly based on the frequency and severity of claims.
He claimed it was common practice in the insurance industry for insurers not to quote for particular risks in such situations. He pointed out that, unlike many of its rivals, Quinn Direct quotes for the vast majority of drivers in the country, irrespective of age or licence, including young provisional licence holders.
The spokesman said that if the situation improved, it would resume quoting for new businesses in the areas affected. Quinn Direct is the second largest motor insurer in the State.
Insurance companies are not legally obliged to provide quotes but if a customer is unable to obtain a quote from any insurer he or she is advised to contact the Irish Insurance Federation, whose Declined Case Committee is obliged to get the customer a quote.
