Flood insurance is one of the key benefits of being in a property, with a flood warning and insurance cover for a range of potential damages.
But how much is available for flood insurance in Ireland?
How much can you claim?
In this article, we’ll walk through the different ways you can claim flood coverage.
Where do you get flood insurance?
The best way to get flood cover in Ireland is through the Insurance Commission of Ireland.
You can find it in your local register, but if you don’t live in a rental property, you’ll need to pay a premium to get this cover.
The Commission will issue flood insurance cover from the start of the flood.
It can be paid through a mobile phone or a cheque, and is usually free.
But if you live in an apartment, it is compulsory for you to buy a flood insurance package.
If you have a car or truck insurance policy, it may be cheaper to get a flood cover.
You might also be able to get an insurance premium on your property, but there are some restrictions.
You must have been renting in Ireland for six months or more at the time you apply for flood cover, and you must not have been using a motor vehicle during that period.
You may need to show that your property was damaged during the flood, or that you did not take any steps to prevent it.
In order to claim coverage, you must apply online.
If your claim has been approved, you can download a claim form online or fax it to the commission.
There is also a separate flood insurance scheme for non-residential properties, and the cost of this cover is set at €5,000.
Where can I get flood coverage?
The Irish Flood Insurance Authority can issue flood cover for any property in Ireland, but it’s the Commission’s responsibility to make sure it’s good value.
To get flood protection for your home, you have to prove your insurance cover, such as flood insurance, vehicle and other vehicle insurance, and personal injury liability insurance.
To find out more about the insurance available, read our guide on what you need to know about flood insurance.
Where to get help with flood insurance What can I do if my property is damaged by a flood?
The insurance companies that issue flood coverage in Ireland are required to provide you with flood protection at the start.
You have two choices if you have problems with flood cover: get a claim from the insurance company or contact the Insurance Service (i.e. you can apply to the Commission for coverage).
You can also contact the Department of Finance to apply for coverage.
If the insurance companies fail to provide flood cover at the end of the period they were in business, you should contact the Commission.
Where is flood insurance coverage available?
The Insurance Commission is the body responsible for issuing flood insurance covering properties and structures in Ireland.
The insurance cover you get depends on where you live.
If, for example, you live on a residential property, it’s compulsory to get coverage through the Commission, as long as you live there.
However, if you are in a non-rural rental property and are not a tenant, you don´t need to buy flood insurance or have a vehicle insurance policy.
If both you and your landlord are renters, you will need to purchase coverage separately.
In the case of a non Rental Property property, there is no minimum amount of flood insurance that can be applied for.
This is different to the case with a non Residential Property property where the maximum amount of insurance coverage is €2,000 per property.
The minimum amount you must pay is €1,500 for residential property and €3,500 per non-Rental Property rental property.
If a property has flood insurance but is not registered with the Insurance Agency, you may be able get flood benefits if your property is affected by a natural disaster, flood damage caused by the sea or flood water, or if a fire or explosion caused damage.
In this situation, you only need to claim the minimum amount that is payable in the event of a disaster, and not cover your home.
If flood insurance covers a lot of properties, you might need to get the maximum flood protection you can, for instance if your home was destroyed by a fire, flood, earthquake or sea.
You’ll need the details of your insurance policy for that property, including any additional flood protection benefits that you can qualify for.
How much flood insurance can I buy?
The minimum flood insurance policy that can’t be applied to a property varies depending on where the property is.
The maximum amount you can buy for a property with a single mortgage is €5.000 per year, but you need additional flood coverage if your mortgage is insured through the Department for Housing (DoH).
The maximum that can apply for a non residential property is €3.000 for a single non- Residential Property mortgage and €4,000 for all other non- Rental Properties.
The DoH does not have a minimum flood protection cover amount that you need. You