Loss Assessor Fees in Ireland: What a Loss Assessor Costs

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

It is usually the second question people ask, right after “what is a loss assessor?”: what is this going to cost me? It is the right question, and it merits a straight answer rather than a phone call to find out. This guide gives you the straight answer: what a loss assessor costs in Ireland, what OMC Claims charges, who actually pays, what the fee buys, and what to check before you sign any fee agreement, with us or with anyone else.

How much does a loss assessor cost in Ireland?

Almost all Irish loss assessors charge a percentage of the final settlement they negotiate for you, plus VAT. Across the market, published and quoted rates generally run from around 8% to 15% plus VAT, with 10% the most commonly cited figure for standard domestic claims. Some firms publish tiered rates, charging more for apartment claims or less for large complex losses; others agree a tailored fee case by case. Fixed fees appear occasionally, usually on commercial work with a clearly defined scope. Whatever the structure, a reputable assessor will agree the fee clearly, in writing, before any work begins.

What OMC Claims charges

We believe you should know where you stand before you commit to anything, so here is our position in full. We offer a free initial consultation with no obligation: you can talk the claim through with us, get an honest read on it, and decide from there. If you appoint us, our fee is typically 10% plus VAT of the final settlement, agreed in advance. The exact fee can vary depending on the size and complexity of the claim, and whatever applies to yours is set out clearly in writing before we start, so there are no surprises at settlement.

Who pays a loss assessor?

You do, as the policyholder, and that is precisely the point: the assessor is paid by you because they work only for you, to ensure you receive your maximum and rightful entitlement under the terms of the policy. The professional on the other side of the claim, the loss adjuster, is appointed and paid by your insurance company, which is why their assessment is made on the insurer’s behalf. We explain that relationship fully in our guide to loss adjusters in Ireland.

In practice, though, the fee is rarely an out-of-pocket expense. Because it is calculated as a percentage of the final settlement, it is normally settled when the claim is, from the settlement itself. There is nothing to pay upfront, and nothing to pay at the free consultation stage.

Why loss assessor fees carry VAT at 23%

A detail that catches people out when comparing figures: loss assessing is classified as a professional service in Ireland, so the standard VAT rate of 23% applies to the fee. That is a different rate from the 13.5% you will see on the building repairs themselves. When comparing quotes from different firms, always confirm whether the percentage being discussed is inclusive or exclusive of VAT; the same headline number can mean two different amounts.

What the fee covers

The percentage buys the management of the entire claim, from first inspection to final settlement:

• Full assessment of the loss. A thorough inspection of the damage, including what is hidden or easy to miss: smoke contamination beyond the burned rooms, moisture tracking behind walls and under floors, and secondary damage that only shows itself under a professional eye.

• Preparation and valuation of the claim. A complete, documented schedule of loss covering buildings, contents, professional fees, alternative accommodation and every other claimable element, priced against current Irish repair costs.

• Policy review. Reading your policy properly, so the claim is presented under the right sections and nothing you are entitled to is left out.

• All dealings with the insurer and its adjuster. Correspondence, meetings, site inspections and the queries that follow all go through your assessor, not through you.

• Negotiation to settlement. The figures, the scope and the disputes are argued professionally on your behalf until the claim is concluded.

For a full picture of the role itself, see our guide to what a loss assessor does.

The fee in euro: a worked example

Numbers make this concrete. Suppose your claim settles at €40,000 and the agreed fee is 10% plus VAT:

• Fee: 10% of €40,000 = €4,000

• VAT at 23% on the fee = €920

• Total fee: €4,920, leaving €35,080 of the settlement

One important detail when comparing any two firms: check what the percentage is calculated on. The standard basis in Ireland, and ours, is a percentage of the total settlement. A percentage of the uplift over the insurer’s first offer is a different arrangement that produces a very different fee, and the two should never be compared headline to headline.

Is a loss assessor worth the fee?

An honest answer, because this question has one. The value of professional representation depends on the claim. A properly prepared claim includes everything you are entitled to under the policy: the hidden and secondary damage, the professional fees, the alternative accommodation, the contents that are easy to overlook in the stress of the event. On significant losses, and on any claim where the insurer has raised questions, those elements are exactly what tends to go missing from an unrepresented claim, and they are usually worth well more than the fee.

On a small, straightforward loss with clear evidence and no complications, you may not need representation at all, and we will tell you so. That is what the free consultation is for: it costs nothing, commits you to nothing, and gives you an honest read on whether the claim justifies professional help before you spend a euro. If you are weighing up whether to claim at all, our guide on is it worth making a claim covers that decision in detail.

Fee structures you will see in the Irish market

When comparing loss assessors, you will encounter a few different models, and knowing them helps you compare fairly:

• Percentage of the final settlement. The dominant Irish model, and the simplest: the fee scales with the claim, and there is nothing to pay upfront.

• Tiered percentages. Some firms publish different rates by claim type, such as a higher rate for apartment claims involving block policies and management companies, on the basis that they take longer to run.

• Fixed fees. Occasionally used for commercial claims or advisory work with a clearly defined scope, where a percentage would not reflect the work involved.

• Conditional arrangements. Many Irish firms describe their service as no win, no fee, meaning the fee is only payable when a settlement is secured. Arrangements differ between firms, so always confirm in writing exactly what is payable, and when, under the agreement you are offered.

What to check before signing any fee agreement

Whoever you appoint, including us, check these five things before you sign:

• The percentage, in writing. And whether it is fixed for your claim or subject to change.

• VAT treatment. Confirm whether the quoted rate is inclusive or exclusive of VAT at 23%.

• The calculation basis. Percentage of the total settlement, or of something else? The basis changes the fee materially.

• Payment timing. The fee should fall due when the settlement is paid, not before.

• Central Bank regulation. Loss assessors in Ireland must be regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, and you can verify any firm on the Central Bank’s public registers. Regulation brings your engagement under the Consumer Protection Code, including its requirements around clear fee disclosure. OMC Claims (Owens McCarthy Ltd) is regulated under registration number C-46734.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a loss assessor cost in Ireland?
Typically a percentage of the final settlement plus VAT. Market rates generally run from around 8% to 15% plus VAT depending on the firm and claim type. At OMC Claims, the initial consultation is free, and our fee is typically 10% plus VAT of the final settlement, agreed in advance, varying with the size and complexity of the claim.

Who pays for a loss assessor?
The policyholder. The loss assessor works only for you, which is why you pay them; the loss adjuster on the other side of the claim is paid by the insurer. In practice the fee is normally settled from the settlement itself when the claim concludes, with nothing to pay upfront.

What do loss assessors charge as a percentage?
Most Irish loss assessors charge between roughly 8% and 15% plus VAT of the final settlement, with 10% the most commonly quoted figure for standard domestic claims. Some firms charge higher tiered rates for apartment or complex claims.

When is the loss assessor’s fee paid?
When the claim settles. Because the fee is a percentage of the final settlement, it is calculated and settled at the conclusion of the claim. There should be nothing to pay upfront, and at OMC Claims the initial consultation is always free.

Is VAT included in loss assessor fees?
Loss assessing is a professional service, so VAT applies at the standard rate of 23% on the fee. Always confirm whether a quoted percentage is inclusive or exclusive of VAT when comparing firms.

Do I pay anything for the first consultation?
Not with us. OMC Claims offers a free initial consultation with no obligation, so you can discuss the claim, understand the fee that would apply, and decide whether professional representation makes sense before committing to anything.

Are loss assessor fees regulated in Ireland?
Loss assessors themselves must be regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, and the Consumer Protection Code requires clear disclosure of fees. The percentage charged is set by each firm, which is why it should always be agreed in writing before work begins. You can verify any assessor on the Central Bank’s public registers.

How much does a loss adjuster cost me?
Nothing. The loss adjuster is appointed and paid by your insurance company, and their fee never comes from your settlement. The difference between the two roles is explained in our guide to the loss assessor vs loss adjuster distinction.

For the full comparison of the two professionals on either side of a claim, see loss assessor vs loss adjuster.

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 loss assessor fees in Ireland. It does not constitute legal, financial, or insurance advice. Fee figures quoted for the wider market are indicative and may change. For guidance tailored to your specific circumstances, please consult a claims professional or your insurance broker/provider.