Flood claims in Ireland: understanding independent loss assessor fees

Why flood files cost what they cost

A flood claim looks simple, water came in and damaged the ground floor, but the valuation is rarely straightforward. Floodwater is usually contaminated, so plaster, floor coverings, kitchen units and insulation may need removal rather than drying. Moisture readings must be taken over weeks to prove when a building is dry enough to reinstate, and the scope of strip-out is a frequent source of disagreement with the insurer's adjuster.

The fee rewards the assessor for recording water lines and moisture levels, challenging an over-narrow scope of works, valuing damaged contents and stock, monitoring the drying contractor and pressing for interim payments so that alternative accommodation or temporary trading can continue.

Indicative fee bands in euro

There is no statutory or official fee scale for public loss assessors in Ireland. The table on this page gives an indicative order of magnitude observed in the market, not an official scale, and each firm sets its own terms. The percentage typically decreases as the claim becomes larger.

Indicative amounts, to be checked with each expert.

First check: is flood actually covered?

Before discussing fees, confirm that your policy includes flood. In parts of Ireland with a history of flooding, some households and businesses have had flood cover excluded or subject to a large excess. Where public flood defences have been completed, insurers may be more willing to offer cover, and it is worth asking your insurer or broker whether that applies to your area.

If flood is excluded, an assessor's percentage fee has little to work on, and a reputable firm will tell you so. If cover exists but the excess is high, a small flood claim may produce a net payment too low to justify a percentage-based fee.

Ways fees are structured

Most Irish assessors charge a percentage of the final settlement, collected when the insurer pays. On flood claims, the definition of the base deserves extra attention: is it the gross amount before the flood excess or the net amount actually received? Does it include payments made directly to the drying company? Are emergency or interim payments already made before the assessor's appointment excluded?

Alternatives include a fixed fee for a defined scope, useful for a contained claim affecting one room, or a percentage applied only to the uplift above the insurer's first offer. A minimum fee often applies on small files. Fees are normally expressed exclusive of VAT, added at the standard Irish rate.

• Percentage of total settlement, gross or net of excess
• Percentage of the additional amount secured
• Fixed fee for a narrowly defined claim
• Minimum fee in euro for small losses
• Separate charges for moisture surveys or specialist reports

Extras to discuss up front

Independent moisture mapping, environmental testing for contamination, structural engineer reports after a basement or foundation is affected, and specialist valuation of stock or machinery can all be billed in addition to the main fee. Ask whether these are included, passed on at cost, or likely to be recovered from the insurer as part of the claim.

Policy cover for professional fees

Irish buildings policies generally cover professional fees for architects, surveyors or engineers needed to reinstate the property, within the sum insured. That clause rarely extends to a loss assessor's fee for negotiating with the insurer, and some policies exclude claim preparation costs expressly. Commercial policies may include a claims preparation extension with a limit, which can help a business recover part of the cost of documenting stock and business interruption losses after a flood.

Ask your broker to confirm in writing whether any such cover applies before relying on it.

Small, medium and large flood claims

A small flood, for example water through a back door affecting a utility room, might produce a claim of €8,000 to €20,000. After the excess and a minimum fee, the net benefit of appointing an assessor may be modest, and handling the claim directly can make sense.

A typical household flood affecting the whole ground floor frequently reaches €50,000 to €120,000 once strip-out, drying, reinstatement, contents and alternative accommodation are counted. This is where assessors most often add value on scope. Commercial flood claims, involving stock, machinery and lost trading, are usually priced by negotiation, with lower percentages and sometimes a fee cap.

Worked example: ground-floor flood in a riverside town

A family home is flooded to a depth of half a metre. The final settlement is €96,000 gross, with a flood excess of €5,000, so €91,000 is paid. At an indicative 8.5 % on the gross figure, the fee is €8,160 plus VAT. On the net figure, it is €7,735 plus VAT. If the contract instead charges 12 % on the uplift above a first offer of €70,000 net, the fee is €2,520 plus VAT.

These numbers are illustrative and do not represent a quote or a likely outcome for any specific claim.

Making a decision after a widespread flood

After a major flood event, demand for assessors spikes and some firms stretch their capacity. Ask who will handle your file personally and how often they will visit. Verify that the firm is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland and request a written engagement letter you can keep.

Be cautious of door-to-door offers that promise a fixed payout or push you to sign immediately. A sound proposal explains the fee base, the rate, the extras, the termination terms and when payment is due, and leaves you free to compare.

Flood fees make sense only once cover, excess and fee base are clear. expertdassure.com recommends checking all three before appointing anyone, even when the water has barely receded.