Frequently asked questions

Loss assessor fees in Ireland are typically charged as a percentage of the final settlement, agreed transparently before you engage the service. At OMC Claims, we explain all costs clearly at the outset and your first consultation is free. See our full guide to loss assessor fees in Ireland.

The policyholder pays the loss assessor, because the assessor works for you rather than for the insurance company. Fees are usually a percentage of the settlement, so costs are discussed and agreed before any work begins. Our guide to loss assessor fees covers this in more detail.

Fees are discussed transparently before you engage OMC Claims and are typically payable once your claim is resolved. There are no surprises: the fee structure is agreed in advance, in writing, so you know exactly where you stand before any work starts.

Yes. Your first consultation with OMC Claims is free and carries no obligation. We will listen to what has happened, give you an honest view on whether a claim is worth pursuing and explain how we would manage it. Call 1800 29 39 40 or request a callback through our contact page.

As early as possible, ideally before you notify your insurer. Early involvement means the damage is documented properly from day one, your policy is reviewed before decisions are made and nothing is disturbed or discarded that may affect your claim. If you have already notified your insurer, we can still take over at any stage.

Make the property safe, prevent further damage where you reasonably can and photograph everything before anything is moved or cleaned. Keep damaged items unless it is unsafe to do so. Then contact OMC Claims. We will guide you through notification, documentation and each step of your claim from there.

It depends on the scale and complexity of the loss. Straightforward claims are usually resolved within a number of weeks, while major or complex losses, such as full reinstatement or business interruption, take longer. Thorough preparation helps avoid the delays caused by incomplete documentation or disputes over the scope of works.

No. Once appointed, OMC Claims deals with your insurer and its loss adjuster on your behalf, including attending inspections at your property. You stay informed and in control of every decision, without having to manage the correspondence, meetings and negotiation yourself.

Yes, you are fully entitled to prepare and submit your own claim. The risk is that policy wording, the scope of works and hidden damage are easy to underestimate, and omissions can reduce a settlement or cause delays. A loss assessor prepares the claim completely and presents it professionally on your behalf.

Through a detailed inspection and a documented scope of loss. We record all damage, including damage that is not immediately visible, cost the reinstatement works and, where needed, bring in engineers, surveyors or other specialists. For businesses, we also quantify financial losses such as business interruption.

Not automatically. Your premium at renewal reflects your claims history, your policy terms and your insurer’s own pricing, whether or not you use a loss assessor. A single claim does not always lead to an increase, but insurers differ, and any claim may affect a no claims discount. Check your policy terms and speak to your insurer or broker at renewal.

Send us your policy and we will review it before you commit to anything. Cover depends on the perils listed in your policy along with its exclusions and conditions, which are not always easy to interpret. We give you a clear, honest view on whether a claim is worth pursuing as part of a free first consultation.

If your sum insured is below the true rebuild or replacement value, your insurer may apply the average clause and reduce your settlement proportionately. It is a common issue in Irish claims. Our guides to underinsurance and the average clause explain how this works and what you can do.

You do not have to accept your insurer’s first decision. A rejection or a low offer can be challenged with better documentation, a properly costed scope of works and reference to the policy wording. OMC Claims reviews disputed claims, prepares the supporting evidence and negotiates with the insurer on your behalf.

Settlement payments are made by your insurer to you as the policyholder. OMC Claims does not handle your settlement money. Our fee is invoiced separately once the claim is resolved, in line with the fee structure agreed before you engaged us.

Often, yes, though some policies or insurers set conditions around approved contractors, and a cash settlement can differ from reinstatement arranged by the insurer. We review your policy, explain your options and make sure the scope of works and costings support the repair route you prefer.

Not until your insurer has agreed. Damaged items are evidence of your loss, and insurers may wish to inspect them or take ownership of items they pay to replace. Photograph everything and keep items where it is safe to do so. If disposal is unavoidable for health or safety reasons, document it thoroughly first.

Many home policies include alternative accommodation cover when your home is uninhabitable, subject to limits and to agreement with your insurer in advance. Do not commit to accommodation costs before cover is confirmed. We identify this entitlement early and include it in your claim where your policy provides for it.