Insurance Ireland clarifies how home and motor insurance is affected by Ophelia

It had been claimed that some motor insurance companies do not offer cover on vehicles driven while a status red warning is in effect.

Insurance Ireland has issued a statement seeking to clarify how motor and home insurance policies are affected by weather conditions such as the ones brought on by Storm Ophelia on Monday. The statement, released on Monday, followed claims that some motor insurance companies do not offer cover on vehicles driven while a status red warning is in effect, as it is in Ireland until Tuesday morning. https://twitter.com/RetailExIreland/status/919668084130107392 https://twitter.com/insurance_irl/status/919855805540851713 The statement clarifies that motor insurance cover applies as normal on Monday and provided information that home insurance policyholders should be aware of in light of the conditions. You can read the statement in full below.

Motor Insurance

Insurance Ireland advises motorists to heed the warnings in place from the authorities and avoid all non-essential travel. Motor insurance cover applies as normal today. This is not impacted by the weather conditions. Damage to cars caused by the storm is covered by comprehensive motor insurance policies. Third party fire and theft policies cover motorists for damage to other cars in the event of an accident, injury to other people, or damage to your car in the event of a fire or theft.

Home Insurance

Home insurance policyholders should be aware of the following information:

• Household buildings and contents insurance policies will cover damage caused by storms.
• Insurers will usually pay for the cost of temporary repairs, so please keep receipts.
• Insurers will also usually pay for the cost of alternative accommodation, if the home becomes uninhabitable.
• Householders should check the full extent of their policies and contact their insurer or broker after the event.