Fire damage claims in Ireland: how much does an independent loss assessor charge?

The work behind a fire claim fee

Fire claims are labour-intensive. Beyond the visible structural damage, smoke and soot travel through ceilings, ducts and wardrobes, and water used by the fire brigade adds a second layer of loss. A loss assessor acting for the homeowner or business typically secures the site, reviews the policy, commissions or prepares a schedule of reinstatement works, builds a room-by-room contents inventory, and negotiates both with the insurer's loss adjuster.

There are also less visible tasks: arranging or checking alternative accommodation, dealing with the insurer's request for fire brigade or Garda reports where relevant, coordinating with a surveyor or engineer on structural safety, and following the claim through to the final payment, sometimes many months later.

• Policy review: buildings, contents, alternative accommodation, debris removal
• Schedule of works and costing of reinstatement
• Contents and stock inventory with replacement values
• Negotiation with the insurer's adjuster on scope and price
• Interim payments and final settlement follow-up

Indicative percentage bands for fire claims

Fees for public loss assessors in Ireland are not set by law or by an official body; each firm sets its own terms. The table on this page shows an indicative order of magnitude observed on the Irish market, not an official scale. It is degressive: smaller fires carry a higher percentage because the fixed effort of inspection, documentation and negotiation is similar whatever the size of the loss.

Many Irish assessors quote a single headline rate, often around ten percent for household fire claims, and negotiate downwards on larger commercial losses. Treat any table, including this one, as a starting point for discussion rather than a price list.

Indicative amounts, to be checked with each expert.

Which figure is the percentage applied to?

This is the single most important question. A percentage may be applied to the total amount paid by the insurer, to the amount paid excluding any sums already offered before the assessor was appointed, or only to the improvement achieved. On a fire claim where the insurer has already paid emergency funds or alternative accommodation costs, ask whether those payments are included in the base.

Some contracts also include the value of work carried out directly by the insurer's nominated contractor. If the insurer manages the rebuild itself, the assessor's fee may still be calculated on that value, so clarify this point in writing.

Minimum fees, VAT and outlays

Minimum fees are common on small fire claims, such as a kitchen fire limited to one room. They are not unfair in themselves, but they should be stated clearly in euro. Fees are generally quoted exclusive of VAT, which is then added at the standard Irish rate; for a household claimant who cannot reclaim VAT, that adds meaningfully to the real cost.

Outlays can include engineer's reports, specialist contents valuers for antiques or jewellery, cleaning and restoration assessments, and legal advice if the claim is contested. A good engagement letter states which of these are included and which are billed separately.

Professional fees cover in Irish home and business policies

Most Irish buildings policies include cover for professional fees, such as architects, surveyors and consulting engineers, required to reinstate the property. This usually forms part of the buildings sum insured. However, it generally covers the cost of designing and supervising repairs, not the fee of a loss assessor negotiating with the insurer, and many policies expressly exclude claim preparation costs.

Commercial policies sometimes contain a broader claims preparation clause, with a monetary limit. Check the schedule and the definitions section, and if in doubt ask the broker in writing whether any part of the assessor's fee would be reimbursed.

How the fee scales with the size of the fire

A small fire, perhaps a chip pan or electrical fault confined to a kitchen, may produce a claim of €15,000 to €30,000. At this level, the percentage is at its highest and a minimum fee may apply; some homeowners choose to handle the claim themselves with guidance.

A serious house fire leaving the home uninhabitable often generates claims of €150,000 to €400,000 once rebuild, contents and months of alternative accommodation are included. Here the percentage is lower, but the fee in euro is significant. Large commercial or agricultural fires, such as a farm shed with machinery and fodder or a warehouse with stock, are generally priced on a negotiated basis.

Example: family home fire in Leinster

Suppose the final settlement for a semi-detached house comprises €210,000 for reinstatement, €45,000 for contents and €18,000 for alternative accommodation, a total of €273,000. At an indicative 6 %, the fee would be €16,380 plus VAT. If the contract excludes alternative accommodation from the base, the fee falls to €15,300 plus VAT. If instead the assessor charges 10 % only on the uplift above an initial offer of €220,000, the fee would be €5,300 plus VAT.

This example is purely illustrative; it does not predict any particular settlement or fee.

Choosing an assessor without being rushed

Being approached at the scene of a fire is common. You are not obliged to sign anything immediately, and a reputable firm will leave written terms for you to consider. Confirm that the firm is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland, ask for references from similar fire claims and request a sample engagement letter.

Compare proposals on more than price: experience with fire and smoke claims, access to surveyors and contents specialists, responsiveness, and clarity about who will actually handle your file. Be wary of anyone who promises a specific settlement figure or suggests inflating the claim; that can endanger the whole indemnity.

• Ask for terms in writing and take time to read them
• Verify authorisation and professional indemnity cover
• Compare the fee base, not just the rate
• Check how the mandate can be terminated and what is owed
• Keep the insurer informed that you have appointed an assessor

A fire claim fee is fair when the base, the rate and the extras are all clear before work begins. expertdassure.com advises taking a day to compare written proposals, even in the aftermath of a fire.