Insurance During Red Alert: The Truth
Written 6 days ago by Angel Croitor
After Ophelia had battered our shores and howled through our streets there rose the question of insurance and what you are and aren’t covered for during a red alert. We spoke to Mark Gallagher, of Gray Cuniffe Flaherty Insurance, about just that and to clear up any of the rumours you’ve seen across social media.
“The power of social media and people just accepting that what they see is automatically correct.”
Mark informs us that logically red alerts can be issued for different types of extreme weather events. Ophelia happened to be a storm but they can also be issued for extreme colds and heat waves. He says that a hurricane is unlike any other issue you may have with insurance during any alert.
The only thing Mark says we have to be careful of is that if you had to take the car during the red alert is that you obey the instructions set out by the emergency services at that particular point. If there happens to be enough warning given about a particular road that was flooded and there is adequate signs showing so and you persist to drive down that road you may not be entitled to anything whatsoever.
In general terms Mark tells us that full cover on your car would apply during a red alert.
To answer the question of events such as these being claimed as ‘acts of god’ by the insurance company Mark says that anybody could argue it isn’t really an Act Of God if everybody had warning of the coming weather event. Ophelia didn’t hit us out of the blue and catch our meteorologists off guard.
“The clarification from Insurance Ireland, they were quick out on the blocks, on Sunday night to basically say whats doing the rounds on social media is not correct – you are quite entitled to use your car and that full cover would apply in that circumstance.”
Of course – terms and conditions apply and what type of insurance you may have on your car or home insurance.
“Ultimately the adjuster will be acting on behalf of the insurance company and will be looking obviously to reduce the amount paid out to the minimum amount possible.”
In Mark’s experience the best way to assure that your claim is as clear and as quick as possible is by recording the damage. You need to have still photography (phone or other) and video to be able to provide to the ones who will assess the damage on your property.
The worst thing you could possibly do is to try and fix the damage yourself as that will only delay and possibly remove any possibility of a claim in your favour. But there is an exception – you have the right to carry out any immediate works that are necessary to stop further damage taking place such as a temporary patch to stop a hole in the roof leaking and further damaging your home.
