Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Insurance Policies.

Derek McDowell

Ceist:

71 Mr. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the fact that most insurance policies sold here, covering loss or damage to property, contain a specific exclusion with regard to any costs incurred by the policyholder in preparing a claim; her views on whether it is appropriate that policyholders should have to incur this potential loss to pursue a claim; if she will raise with the insurance industry the use of these exclusions in view of the fact that they are not found in most European policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25030/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Treacy)

I understand from the Irish Insurance Federation that the "exclusion clauses" to which the Deputy refers apply only in respect of professional fees in cases where there is a dispute between the insured and the insurer. In property damage cases, the insurance company provides and pays for professional experts – engineers, architects and-or property surveyors – to assess the structural damage. On the basis of this assessment, the settlement of the claim is normally, especially in the case of private residential property, agreed between the insured and the insurer. Accordingly, the insured incurs no costs in the preparation of the claim. However, where there is a dispute as to the assessment, the insured has the right to seek further professional advice. However, this must be done at his or her own expense.