Loss Assessors represent you and prioritise your interests in the claims process to:
Ireland's leading commercial loss assessor
Major and complex loss insurance claims
When a loss is large or complicated, the gap between what your insurer initially offers and what you are actually entitled to can be significant. We manage major and complex claims from start to finish, bringing in the right specialists and negotiating directly with your insurer to secure the settlement your business needs to recover.
Call us today:
1800 29 39 40
Secure you the best settlement
Protect your entitlements
Reduce your stress and save you time
Trusted insurance claims partner
Preferred partner for Ireland’s top Insurance Brokers
Immediate Support
What to do immediately after a major loss event
Make the site safe and keep everyone away until it has been cleared for re-entry. Notify your insurer right away. For a major loss, the insurer will appoint their own loss adjuster very quickly, so getting a loss assessor in place at the same time ensures your interests are protected from day one. Bring in emergency contractors where needed to prevent further loss, and ask them to record all their work and costs meticulously from the start. Begin pulling together financial records, operational data, and pre-loss business information, as this material forms the foundation of the financial loss element of your claim.
Know Your Cover
What's typically covered in major and complex loss claims
A major loss usually triggers several sections of a commercial insurance policy at the same time, including property damage, business interruption, machinery breakdown, stock and contents, and in some cases specialist extensions such as denial of access cover. Identifying the full scope of cover across all relevant policy sections and making sure each element is properly claimed is one of the most important tasks in managing a large claim. Policy limits, sub-limits, and the rules governing how different sections interact can all significantly affect the total settlement available.
Types of Major and Complex Loss Claims
Major and complex loss insurance claims we handle
Total or near-total property loss
Where a fire, flood, explosion, or other catastrophic event causes total or near-total destruction of commercial premises, the reinstatement claim alone can run to millions of euros, requiring specialist quantity surveying, project management, and experienced claims negotiation to ensure the settlement is adequate for full reinstatement.
Multi-site business interruption claims
Where an insured event at one location disrupts operations across multiple sites, supply chains, or business divisions, the financial loss calculation becomes highly complex and requires detailed analysis of the interdependencies between different parts of the business.
Major infrastructure and engineering losses
Damage to critical infrastructure, specialist engineering installations, or complex building systems requires expert technical assessment alongside experienced claims management to ensure reinstatement costs are accurately calculated and fully recovered.
Catastrophic stock and inventory loss
Large-scale loss of stock, raw materials, or finished goods — whether from fire, flood, contamination, or other causes — requires detailed pre-loss stock records, specialist valuation, and experienced negotiation to ensure the full value of the loss is recovered.
High-value equipment and plant loss
Loss of specialist plant, manufacturing equipment, or high-value installations involves complex questions of replacement cost, lead times, and business interruption during the replacement period that require coordinated management across multiple aspects of the claim.
Complex liability and third party loss claims
Where a major loss involves questions of liability — whether arising from contractor negligence, product failure, or damage to third party property — the insurance claim becomes significantly more complex and requires experienced professional management to protect the business's position throughout.
Cause & Complexity
What makes a loss major or complex
Major losses are most often caused by serious fires, significant flooding, severe storm or structural damage, explosions, or major machinery failure. What tends to make a claim complex is a combination of its scale, the number of policy sections involved, a disputed cause, a long indemnity period, or the involvement of multiple premises or businesses. Claims that cross into liability territory or involve third parties typically require additional management and take longer to resolve.
Reduce Stress
Why use a loss assessor for a major or complex loss claim?
The bigger and more complex a claim, the more closely the insurer’s team will examine it. They appoint experienced loss adjusters whose role is to protect the insurer’s interests, not yours. A loss assessor works entirely on your behalf, building the evidence, coordinating specialist reports, managing the process end to end, and negotiating the settlement. On a major claim, the gap between a well-managed outcome and a poorly managed one can be substantial.
Timelines
How long do major and complex loss insurance claims take?
Major and complex loss insurance claims are often among the longest and most demanding types of claim because they can involve extensive damage, multiple heads of loss, specialist reports, large reinstatement works and disagreement over scope or settlement method. Even where liability is accepted, it can take many months to investigate the loss fully, assess the right repair strategy and agree a fair outcome. In the most complex cases, particularly where there are disputes over causation, valuation, reinstatement or the appropriate method of settlement, the process can continue for a prolonged period. Keeping detailed records, preserving evidence and getting specialist representation in place early can help make sure the claim is properly presented and that important parts of the loss are not overlooked.
process
With you every step of the way
How we help you
Why us for major and complex loss insurance claims support
Maximum Settlements
We’re dedicated to securing the best possible settlement for your major loss claim, ensuring every aspect of your loss is fully covered and your entitlements are protected.
Major Loss Negotiation Experts
With extensive experience in negotiating major and complex loss claims, we know how to advocate for your rights and achieve a timely and fair outcome.
Full-Service Claim Management
From policy review to coordinating large-scale restoration, we manage every detail of your major loss claim, allowing you to focus on business continuity.
Proactive and Thorough
We think outside the box to ensure every aspect of your business’s extensive losses—from structural impacts to equipment failure—is identified and addressed.
Quick Claims Admission
We work strategically to help secure fast claim admission for your major loss, minimising delays and helping your business recover as quickly as possible.
Transparent Communication
From the initial policy review to the final settlement, we keep you informed every step of the way, providing a smooth, stress-free experience during a challenging time.
Support When It Matters
Why customers choose us in their moment of need
Our Major and complex loss specialists
Insurance claims management experts
2,0002,000+
Annual claim instructions
2424/7
Nationwide response
11st
Consultation is free
250250+ Years
Combined industry experience
News & Insights
Learn More About Us
Major and complex loss claim support
Common major and complex loss claim FAQs
What is classed as a major or complex loss?
A major or complex loss is a high-impact claim that can involve large-scale damage, multiple buildings or departments, specialist equipment, or a long recovery period. It often affects operations, staff, customers, and cashflow.
What types of major and complex losses can you help with?
Examples include fire or explosion damage, natural disaster losses, structural collapse, extensive water or flood damage, and major machinery or equipment loss.
What should we do first after a major incident at our premises?
Put safety first and follow emergency procedures. Then protect the site from further loss where possible, and record everything with photos, videos, and a written log. Keep all invoices for emergency works, security, and temporary measures.
How quickly can you inspect and document the damage?
Where it is safe to access the site, OMC Claims can typically carry out a full inspection within 48 hours to document visible and hidden damage and review your policy position early. Contact us today for expert guidance on your major and complex loss claim.
Why do major loss claims get delayed or under-settled?
Delays often happen when the scope of damage is incomplete, costs are underestimated, or evidence is not presented clearly. Complex claims can also involve multiple stakeholders, specialist reports, and phased reinstatement, all of which need tight coordination.
Can a major loss claim include damage we cannot see yet?
Yes. Large losses often involve hidden issues like water ingress behind walls, smoke contamination, structural movement, or equipment damage that appears later. A thorough survey and documentation process helps make sure these are not missed.
Do you work with specialist experts for complex claims?
For complex cases, it can be important to use relevant specialists to support the claim evidence and strengthen negotiations on scope, causation, and costs.
Will the claim cover replacement of machinery and equipment?
It may, depending on your policy and the cause of loss. The key is proving the condition of the equipment, the extent of damage, and the true replacement or repair cost, including installation and testing if required.
How do you handle communication with the insurer and loss adjuster?
We manage the claim from start to finish, including documentation, submissions, queries, and negotiations. You get clear updates so you always know what is happening and what is needed next.
When should we appoint a loss assessor for a major or complex loss?
You should look to appoint a loss assessor as early as possible. Early involvement helps secure proper evidence, set the claim strategy, and avoid costly mistakes such as starting permanent works before the loss is fully documented and agreed. Contact us today for an initial consultation.
How much does a loss assessor cost for major and complex loss claims?
For major and complex loss claims our fee is typically 10% + VAT of the final settlement. Loss assessors typically charge a pre-agreed percentage of the final insurance settlement, rather than an hourly rate. The exact percentage is agreed in advance and can vary depending on the value of the claim, the number of stakeholders involved, and the overall complexity and duration of the case.
How long does a major or complex loss insurance claim take to settle?
Major and complex loss insurance claims usually take longer than standard property claims because they often involve extensive damage, specialist investigation, multiple areas of loss and larger repair or reinstatement works. Many take several months to progress, and the most complex cases can run significantly longer where there are disputes about cause, value, scope of works or settlement.
If your question is not covered in the FAQs above, please do not hesitate to contact us.
insurance claims experts
professional memberships
