After damage to your home or business, you want to know how long your insurance claim will take. There is no single answer, but understanding what affects the timeline can help you manage expectations and avoid unnecessary delays. This article covers property and business insurance claims in Ireland: what affects how long they take, what can hold them up, and what you can do if your insurance claim is delayed.
What Is the Typical Timeframe for an Insurance Claim in Ireland?
It varies with the nature and complexity of the claim. A straightforward property claim, such as limited damage from a burst pipe, can often be resolved relatively quickly. Larger claims, such as significant property damage or business interruption, usually take longer because they need more detailed assessment and negotiation.
Factors that affect the timeline include how clear the cause of the loss is, how easily its value can be established, how quickly each party responds, and whether there is any dispute about the terms of the policy or the extent of cover. Timescales vary widely with the size and complexity of the claim.
Giving your insurer full information and documents early, and responding promptly to requests, can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Personal injury claims generally follow a separate statutory process through the Injuries Resolution Board and are not covered in this article.
What Can Delay an Insurance Claim?
Common causes of delay include:
- Complexity: significant damage, such as after a house fire, often needs investigation and expert reports.
- Incomplete information: missing documents, photographs, receipts or estimates can slow the assessment.
- Disputes about cover: if there is disagreement about whether the loss is covered, it needs to be resolved before the claim can move on.
- Several parties involved: for example, where another person or their insurer may be responsible. If you receive correspondence from a third party or their solicitor, pass it to your claims handler promptly.
- Communication: slow responses from any party, including the insurer, its loss adjuster or the policyholder, add time.
Keep a record of all communication with your insurer in case questions arise later.
How Long Does It Take Once an Offer Is Made?
Once the insurer makes a settlement offer, the remaining steps are usually shorter. You do not have to accept an offer on the spot. Take time to check it against your losses, and ask the insurer how long you have to respond.
If you accept, the insurer will arrange payment in line with your policy. Ask the insurer when you can expect it. If you have a mortgage, the insurer may need to involve your lender in a buildings claim payment. If payment is delayed after you have agreed a settlement, follow up with the insurer.
Can I Speed Up the Claims Process?
You cannot control every part of the process, but you can help keep things moving:
- Report the damage to your insurer promptly. Most policies require prompt notification.
- Give complete and accurate information from the start, with photographs, receipts and estimates.
- Respond quickly to any requests for further information.
- Stay in regular contact with your claims handler and ask for updates if you have not heard back.
What Should I Do If My Claim Is Delayed?
If you believe your claim is taking an unreasonable amount of time, raise it with the insurer in writing. Set out the history of the claim, when it was made, and why you are concerned. Ask for an explanation and an expected timeline for a decision.
Trevor Kelly of Insurance Claim Solutions says: “Policyholders can feel powerless when a claim is delayed. Remember that the loss adjuster is appointed by the insurer. You are entitled to appoint your own public loss assessor to manage the claim on your behalf and deal with the insurer for you.”
If you are not satisfied with the insurer’s response, you can make a formal complaint through its complaints procedure. Every regulated financial services provider must have one. If you remain dissatisfied, you may be able to refer the complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO), an independent body that deals with complaints against financial services providers. Complaints to the FSPO are subject to time limits set by law, and your policy may set its own time limits, so check fspo.ie and your policy promptly. You may also want to read about why you might need a loss assessor.
Does the Size of the Claim Affect How Long It Takes?
Generally, yes. Smaller, straightforward claims tend to be settled more quickly because the assessment is simpler. For example, a claim for water damage from a leaking roof will usually be resolved faster than a claim for a major flood.
Larger claims, such as significant fire damage, usually take longer. They often need several expert reports, detailed costings and negotiation over the value of the claim.
When Should I Get Professional Help?
Many claims are handled directly between the policyholder and the insurer. You may want professional help if:
- Your claim is large or complex, or involves business interruption.
- Your claim has been declined and you believe the decision is wrong. It helps to understand the common reasons insurance claims are declined.
- You disagree with the insurer about cover or the value of the loss.
A public loss assessor can prepare and present a property claim on your behalf. For legal questions, such as whether to issue court proceedings, speak to a solicitor. For general guidance, see our page on insurance claim advice.
Key Points
- Timeframes vary: simple property claims can often be settled relatively quickly; large or disputed claims usually take longer.
- Delays have common causes: complexity, incomplete information and disputes about cover.
- Be proactive: report promptly and provide full documentation.
- Know your rights: if your claim is delayed or declined, you can complain to your insurer and, if needed, the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.
- Get help when you need it: for complex or disputed property claims, you can appoint a public loss assessor to act for you.
If you would like to talk about a delayed or complex property claim, call Insurance Claim Solutions on 01 870 9210. Your initial consultation is free. Trevor Kelly Insurance Claim Solutions Limited, trading as Insurance Claim Solutions, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Reg. No. C423441).
This article is general information only and is not advice on your specific policy. Cover depends on your policy wording.