Latest news with #insuranceClaims
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on personal injuries claims: going to court is rarely worth it
The message about the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) is clearly not getting through to the public in general and insurance customers in particular. Established in 2004 to provide a lower cost route for settling personal injury insurance claims, nearly all cases must now be submitted to the board. Overall, it resolves one in two claims. The other fifty per cent of claims – where either side rejects the IRB settlement proposal – are resolved by litigation, which usually takes the form of an out of court settlement. The enduring popularity of the legal route for resolving motor insurance injury claims is hard to fathom, given that court awards and IRB awards are based on the same guidelines and the average value of awards made across both channels is the same. However, the litigation route takes three years longer and legal costs are on average 24 times higher. It is hard to see how the continued use of the litigation channel benefits the injured party. Why wait three years for the same result? The higher fees that are incurred – for little apparent benefit to the client in most cases – may be paid by the insurance company, but the wider pool of insurance customers ultimately foot the bill in the form of higher premiums. The presumption is that the bulk of IRB settlements are rejected by a claimant on the advice that they may do better by going down the litigation route. READ MORE The Solicitor's Guide to Professional Conduct places no specific requirement on solicitors to talk through the pros and cons of rejecting an IRB settlement and going down the litigation route with their clients. There are general guidelines about client relationships which if adhered to in the spirit intended should suffice. It perhaps asks too much of any profession to expect its members to turn down work. The time may have come when a different approach is needed to ensure that claimants are fully aware that, in the round, the benefits of rejecting an IRB settlement and taking your insurer to court are at best marginal.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Insurance payouts for storms, floods and bad weather hit record high: How to protect YOUR home
Insurance claims and payouts for weather-related damage to properties and possessions rose sharply to hit a record high this winter, new data shows. Claims for damage caused by the weather topped £200million for the first time ever in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Association of British Insurers. The ABI wants the government to spend £1billion a year on flood defences and ensure new homes are built in 'flood-free' areas and are 'climate-resilient.' The record claims levels followed seven consecutive quarters where claims for weather-related damage were over £100million. Payouts between January and April surpassed the previous quarterly record, set in 2022, by £67million, the ABI added. The bumper payouts followed 'significant and consistent bad weather', including Storm Eowyn, which the Met Office described as one of Britain's most powerful windstorms for more than a decade. Total claims for damage to homes from adverse weather reached £226million in the period, which is £80million, or 55 per cent, more than in the previous quarter. The ABI said its members paid out £109million to businesses for weather-related damage and business interruption in the quarter, representing a 7 per cent increase on the first quarter of 2024. A record £886million was paid out in total for domestic property claims in the period, up £145million, or 20 per cent, on the first quarter of 2024. This sum included other 'perils' such as fire, theft and subsidence. According to the ABI, the average annual price of combined building and contents home insurance in the quarter was £393, which is £1 lower than the previous quarter but £24 more than at the same point a year ago. The total cost of property claims for domestic and commercial buildings in the quarter was £1.5billion, up £170million on a year ago. Amid rising claims and payouts linked to adverse weather, the ABI wants to see more investment in flood defences across Britain. Louise Clark, manager of general insurance policy at the ABI, said: 'Insurance remains a critical safety net when disaster strikes. 'But with climate change driving more frequent and severe weather, there must be a greater focus on prevention measures. 'Adequate and sustained investment in flood defences is crucial, and we urge the Government to commit to an investment of at least £1billion a year as part of its upcoming spending review.' She added: 'We also want to see swift action to combat surface flooding, and a clear strategy to build climate-resilient homes in safe, flood-free areas as part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. 'Such forward-thinking measures will not only deliver substantial financial savings in the long-term, but also mitigate the emotional strain that extreme weather events inflict on households.' How to prevent weather-related damage at home Keeping your property well-maintained will help prevent weather-related damage and the need to claim on your insurance. Aviva has four tips to help prevent damage to your property caused by adverse weather. 1. Check your roof Check for loose or missing tiles, crumbling pointing or any other signs of damage. Also check your television aerial and satellite dish are firmly attached. 2. Secure your fence Make sure fence panels are fixed in place and garden gates are in good condition. You don't want panels flying away or gates swinging wildly in the wind as they could cause injury or further damage to property. It is important to note that fences, gates or hedges damaged in a storm are not covered under many home insurance policies. 3. Remove hazardous branches Cut down loose or overhanging branches in your garden, particularly those close to windows or power lines. If a tree is planted in a neighbour's garden but branches overhang your property then you have the right to cut back those branches, though do mention it to them first. 4. Keep gutters clear of moss and leaves You do not have to clean them every day, but if your gutters overflow during a downpour then it is time to give them a good clear out. Once your gutters are clear, make sure they are securely fixed in place and can withstand poor weather. Best mortgage rates and how to find them Mortgage rates have risen substantially over recent years, meaning that those remortgaging or buying a home face higher costs. That makes it even more important to search out the best possible rate for you and get good mortgage advice. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you To help our readers find the best mortgage, This is Money has partnered with the UK's leading fee-free broker L&C. This is Money and L&C's mortgage calculator can let you compare deals to see which ones suit your home's value and level of deposit. You can compare fixed rate lengths, from two-year fixes, to five-year fixes and ten-year fixes. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use This is Money and L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you.
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Claims for weather-related damage to homes and possessions hit record £226m
Insurance claims for weather-related damage to people's homes and possessions totalled a record £226 million between January and April, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The ABI said it is the first time that quarterly claims for weather-related damage have topped £200 million in its data, going back to the start of 2017. Payouts surpassed the previous quarterly record set during the first quarter of 2022 by £67 million. The record payouts follow significant and consistent bad weather, including Storm Eowyn, the ABI said. Bad weather was not just a problem for households, as ABI members also paid out £109 million to businesses for weather-related damage and business interruption – a £7 million increase compared with the first quarter of 2024. Louise Clark, manager of general insurance policy at the ABI, said: ' Insurance remains a critical safety net when disaster strikes. But with climate change driving more frequent and severe weather, there must be a greater focus on prevention measures.' The annual average price of combined building and contents home insurance in the first quarter of 2025 was £393 – £1 lower than the previous quarter but £24 higher than in the first quarter of 2024, as high claim costs continue to have an impact on the price of cover. The average price of buildings-only insurance fell by £1 compared with the previous quarter to £322, but this was still £28 higher compared with the first quarter of 2024. The average price of contents-only insurance in the first quarter of 2025 fell by £8 compared with the previous quarter, to £128. This is also £2 lower than the average price paid in the first quarter of 2024, the ABI said.
