Home Insurance Claims in Ireland: A Step by Step Guide

By Jim Flannery ACII, Brand Ambassador, OMC Claims. Over 40 years in insurance claims and a founding member of the Irish Claims Consultants Association.

Home insurance exists for the day something goes badly wrong, yet the claims process itself is unfamiliar territory for most households. Understanding your policy, knowing when a claim is worth making and handling the process correctly all have a direct bearing on what you recover. If you would rather not manage it alone, a loss assessor can handle the claim for you from first notification to settlement.

This guide covers the full journey of an Irish home insurance claim: what your policy actually covers, whether and when to claim, the process step by step, timelines, premium impact, recovering your excess, and what to do if the answer from your insurer is “no”.

Understand your policy before you need it

Most people read their policy for the first time in the week after something goes wrong, which is the worst possible week to discover its limits. Three things are worth knowing in advance:

• Buildings vs contents cover. Buildings insurance covers the structure: walls, roof, fixtures and fittings. Contents insurance covers your belongings. Many policies combine both, but the sums insured are separate, and each needs to be adequate in its own right.

• Your excess. The excess is the amount you carry yourself on any claim, and it can vary by peril: the excess for escape of water is often higher than the standard figure. Knowing your excess tells you instantly whether a small loss is worth claiming.

• The perils covered. Policies respond to listed events: fire, storm, escape of water, flood, theft and so on. Check which perils your policy includes and any special conditions attached to them, particularly if you live in an area with a known flood history.

Common policy exclusions to watch for

Home insurance covers sudden and unforeseen events. It does not cover everything, and knowing where the edges are prevents unpleasant surprises:

• Wear and tear. Gradual deterioration is not an insured event, so the worn-out thing itself, an aged roof covering or a corroded pipe, is not claimable. The sudden damage that results, such as the escape of water from a failed pipe, generally is. An insurer can only decline or reduce a claim on maintenance grounds where a specific policy condition or warranty has been breached, so if a refusal cites maintenance, ask which condition is being relied on before accepting it.

• Gradual leaks. Damage from a slow leak that has developed over a long period is treated differently from a sudden escape of water, and policies vary widely in how they respond. Early detection matters: damp patches, mould or an unexplained jump in your water usage are worth investigating promptly.

• Unoccupancy and security conditions. Most policies contain conditions about how long the home may be left unoccupied and, for theft, may require evidence of forced entry. These are policy conditions, and it pays to know yours before, for example, a long stay away from home.

What can you claim on home insurance?

The most common home insurance claims in Ireland, and the perils behind them:

• Water damage. Burst pipes, leaking appliances, and escape of water generally. Water claims are the most frequent Irish household claim and often involve more damage than is first visible.

• Fire damage. From chimney fires to serious house fires, including the smoke and firefighting water damage that comes with them.

• Storm damage. Roof damage, fallen trees and wind-driven rain following named storms and severe weather.

• Other insured perils. Smoke damage, oil leaks, subsidence, flood, theft and vandalism, and third party damage, depending on your policy.

Beyond the repair itself, policies commonly cover professional cleaning, alternative accommodation where the home is uninhabitable, and other costs that flow from the insured event. A claim prepared properly includes all of it, not just the obvious damage.

Is it worth making a claim on home insurance?

Not every loss justifies a claim, and the honest answer depends on three numbers:

• The repair cost against your excess. If the loss is only modestly above your excess, you may be better absorbing it, since the net payment to you will be small.

• The likely premium impact. Claims history affects renewal pricing, and several small claims in a short period affect it more than one significant one.

• Your no claims discount. If your insurer offers one, a minor claim can cost you a discount worth more over the following years than the claim paid out.

For a genuine, significant loss, the calculation almost always favours claiming: that is what the policy is for, and the value of a properly settled claim comfortably outweighs the renewal effect. The marginal cases are the small ones, and if you are unsure, a quick conversation with a loss assessor or your broker will determine it before you commit either way.

When should you make a claim?

Promptly. Most Irish policies require notification “as soon as possible” or within a specific number of days of the loss, and delay creates three problems: the damage can worsen and the additional deterioration be disputed, the insurer can question why notice was late, and the evidence gets weaker as the clean-up progresses. The right order is: make the property safe, document everything, then notify. Photograph and video the damage before anything is moved, repaired or discarded, and keep receipts for any emergency work. Retain damaged items on site until a loss adjuster has had an opportunity to inspect them.

How to make a claim, step by step

• 1. Make the property safe. Deal with any immediate danger first: isolate water or power, and stay out of structurally damaged areas until they are confirmed safe.

• 2. Document the damage. Photographs and video, wide and close, of every affected area, plus a written note of when and how the damage happened.

• 3. Notify your insurer. Have your policy number ready, give the facts, and keep a log of every call, email and reference number.

• 4. Prevent further loss. Reasonable temporary measures, such as boarding up or stopping a leak, protect the property and the claim. Keep the receipts.

• 5. Consider appointing a loss assessor. The insurer will usually appoint a loss adjuster to act for it; an assessor prepares and negotiates the claim for you. The earlier one is involved, the stronger the claim.

• 6. Complete the paperwork accurately. Claim forms and schedules of loss should be complete and consistent, since gaps and contradictions cause delay and dispute.

How long does a home insurance claim take?

Most straightforward Irish home insurance claims settle within 30 to 60 days. The realistic drivers of the timeline are the severity of the damage, how quickly complete documentation is submitted, the loss adjuster’s assessment, and whether any question arises over cause or cover. Large or disputed claims, and claims involving structural work, can run considerably longer. The single biggest thing a policyholder controls is the completeness of the claim: a fully documented, properly valued claim gives the insurer less to come back on.

Will my premium increase after a home insurance claim?

It can, and this is one of the most common questions Irish policyholders ask. There is no fixed figure: the effect at renewal depends on the type and size of the claim, your claims history, whether you lose a no claims discount, and your insurer’s own pricing methods. Larger claims and repeated claims carry more weight than a single modest one, and some insurers also apply higher excesses or impose restrictions or conditions after certain claim types.

Two things keep the question in proportion. First, insurers ask about claims history at quotation regardless of who you move to, so the effect follows you rather than being avoidable by switching alone. Second, for any significant loss, the settlement is usually worth far more than the premium effect spread over the following years. The premium question is a real factor for small claims and a marginal one for large claims.

How to claim back your home insurance excess

Where another party caused the damage, your excess may be recoverable. The two common Irish examples: a neighbour’s tree falls on your property, in which case recovery may be possible against the neighbour’s policy once liability is established; and defective work by a contractor, for example a poorly installed pipe that later fails, where the contractor’s liability insurance may respond. In both cases the practical requirements are the same: document the incident thoroughly, establish the link between the third party’s actions and the damage, and notify your insurer, who may pursue recovery and refund your excess and any other uninsured losses if it succeeds.

What to do if your home insurance claim is refused

A refusal is a position, not a verdict. If your claim is declined:

• Get the reason in writing and read it closely. The insurer must explain the basis of refusal: an exclusion, a condition, late notification, or evidence it finds insufficient. The exact wording matters, because refusals sometimes rest on a policy term that does not in fact apply to the circumstances.

• Strengthen the evidence. Further photographs, independent repair quotes and expert reports can address an evidential refusal directly.

• Use the complaints process. Every insurer operates a formal complaints procedure and must give you a final response you can act on.

• Bring in a loss assessor. An assessor will review the refusal against the policy wording, challenge it where it is wrong, and negotiate on your behalf.

• Escalate if necessary. If you are not satisfied with your insurers internal complaints outcome unresolved disputes can be referred to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman. Most never need to go that far.

Underinsurance and the average clause: why accurate valuation matters

One issue quietly shapes more Irish claim outcomes than any other: underinsurance. If your buildings sum insured is lower than the true cost of rebuilding your home, most policies allow the insurer to reduce any claim payment in proportion to the shortfall under the average clause. The reduction applies to partial losses as well as total ones, so a home insured for 75% of its rebuild cost can expect roughly 75% of any claim. Rebuild costs have risen sharply in recent years, and a sum insured that was right a few years ago may be well short today. Review it at every renewal and after any renovation.

Loss adjuster vs loss assessor: who does what?

The loss adjuster is appointed and paid by your insurer to handle and adjust the claim on the insurer’s behalf. The loss assessor is appointed by you and works only for you: assessing the full loss, preparing the claim and negotiating the settlement you are entitled to. We compare the two roles in detail, with a worked example, in our guide to the loss assessor vs loss adjuster distinction, and cover the adjuster’s side of the process in loss adjusters in Ireland.

What happens if your home becomes uninhabitable?

Where an insured event leaves the home unfit to live in, most comprehensive policies cover alternative accommodation while repairs are carried out, whether that is a hotel, a short-term rental or another arrangement, up to a stated limit. Some policies extend to related additional living costs. Notify your insurer immediately, ask for written confirmation of your accommodation entitlement, and keep every receipt. Your insurer may also require reasonable steps to secure the property, such as boarding up, and those emergency costs are generally claimable too, so confirm before commissioning the work.

When to get expert claims help

Plenty of small claims can be handled without help. Professional representation earns its place when the loss is large or larger than it first appears, when the insurer’s offer does not cover the real cost of reinstatement, when cover or cause is being questioned, when a claim has been refused, or when you simply cannot give a negotiation the time it needs. A loss assessor takes the whole process on: assessing, valuing, documenting, presenting and negotiating, so the claim is built properly rather than checked and trimmed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a claim on my home insurance in Ireland?
Make the property safe, document the damage with photographs and video, then notify your insurer promptly with your policy number and the facts of the loss. Keep receipts for any emergency work, complete the claim forms fully, and consider appointing a loss assessor to prepare and negotiate the claim for you.

How long after damage can I claim?
Check your policy, but do not wait: most Irish policies require notification promptly or within a stated number of days. Late notice can complicate or jeopardise an otherwise valid claim.

How long does a home insurance claim take to pay out?
Straightforward claims typically settle in 30 to 60 days. Larger, structural or disputed claims take longer. Complete documentation submitted early is the best way to shorten the timeline.

Will my home insurance go up if I make a claim?
It may affect your premium or no claims discount at renewal, with larger and repeated claims carrying more weight. For a significant loss, the settlement is usually worth far more than the renewal effect; for small losses just above your excess, it is worth doing the sums before claiming.

Can my insurer refuse my claim for poor maintenance?
Only in limited circumstances. Wear and tear itself is not an insured event, but an insurer can only decline or reduce a claim on maintenance grounds where a specific policy condition or warranty has been breached. If a refusal cites maintenance, ask exactly which policy term is being relied on and take advice before accepting it.

Do I have to use my insurer’s builders?
Policies differ. Many insurers offer or encourage their own repair network, but you are generally entitled to obtain your own quotes and to discuss settlement on a cash basis instead. Check your policy wording and take advice before agreeing a direct reinstatement route.

What does a loss assessor cost?
Fees are agreed at the outset, typically as a percentage of the settlement or a fixed fee depending on the claim. At OMC Claims the first consultation is free and carries no obligation, so you will know exactly where you stand before deciding to appoint us.

About OMC Claims

OMC Claims (Owens McCarthy Ltd) is Ireland’s largest independent firm of loss assessors, acting only for policyholders, never for insurers. We provide nationwide coverage, with loss assessors serving Dublin, Cork, Limerick and every other county in Ireland. Part of the Fexco group and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Registration Number C-46734), our team brings over 250 years of combined claims experience and handles more than 2,000 home and business claims a year, from straightforward domestic losses to large and complex commercial claims. We assess the damage, prepare and value your claim, and negotiate with your insurer to work to secure the settlement you are entitled to.

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and aims to provide an overview of home insurance claims. It does not constitute legal, financial, or insurance advice. For guidance tailored to your specific circumstances, please consult a claims professional or your insurance broker/provider.