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Claims

What should I do in the event of an accident?

 

First Steps:

  

-  First and foremost make sure you and your family / passengers are not injured.  If in doubt call the emergency services on 999 or 112.

- Take down the details of all parties to the incident:

-  Vehicle registrations.

-  Vehicle insurance details (look at the insurance disc in the car window).

-  Contact telephone numbers for all drivers involved.

-  Did anyone witness the accident?  If so take down their contact information also.

-  Provide your details to any party to the incident who requests them.

-  If it is safe to do so take photographs of the scene of the incident (use your mobile phone).

-  Call Setanta Insurance's 24 hour Helpline on 0818 255 255.

 

Don't:

 

-  Accept liability for the accident.

-  Sign any document prepared by any party to the incident.

 

Next Steps: 

 

-  Complete the necessary claim form from our website or alternatively your Broker or the Setanta Insurance Claims Centre will issue one to you in the post.

-  Return the completed form along with a copy of both sides of the drivers licence to your Broker in a timely manner.

-  When asked to do so, present your vehicle to your local Aligned Repairer or have your garage prepare and estimate for the cost of the repairs.  Towing can be arranged if required.

-  You may need to meet with some agents appointed by Setanta Insurance, e.g.

-  Motor engineer

-  Loss adjustor

-  Investigator 

-  The Claims Centre agents will ask you a number of questions relating to the incident and may request the following documentation from you: 

-  A copy of your vehicle Licencing Certificate (previously called the logbook).

-  A copy of your DOE or NCT certificate.

-  A document confirming your VAT status (where applicable).

-  If you have any queries contact your Broker or call our Claims Centre on 0818 255 255.

Do I need to contact the Gardai after an accident involving my vehicle?

If you have been involved in an accident you should report the accident to the Gardai.

What happens if my vehicle is stolen?

You must notify the Gardai immediately then call your Broker or our Claims Centre on 0818 255 255. They will give you all the necessary support and information you need.

Who repairs my vehicle?

You can choose to have your vehicle repaired yourself, or use our Aligned Repairer service. If you use our Aligned Repairers, one of our garages in our nationwide panel will repair your vehicle. These garages have been appointed to provide the highest customer service and quality of repairs for our customers. All repairs carried out are guaranteed for 3 years. See Claims Centre for further details.

What happens if I want to use my own repairer?

No problem, however you will not be entitled to the benefits of our Aligned Repairer service.

What is a total loss/write off?

If the cost of repairs exceed the market value of the vehicle (less the salvage value) then it is likely we will consider it to be beyond economic repair. This is often referred to as a write off.

If your vehicle has sustained significant damage and cannot be put back on the road for safety reasons, this is referred to as a total loss.

If my vehicle is a total loss / write off, what will I receive in settlement?

You will receive the current market value of your vehicle, less the salvage value and any applicable excess. We will also give you the necessary details to enable you to dispose of the vehicle.

How long will it take to sort out my claim?

Our aim is to deal with your claim in the shortest time possible.  You can help speed up the process by completing and returning your claim form and other required documentation in a timely manner.

What is a policy excess?

The policy excess is the amount we ask you to contribute towards the cost of a claim for accidental damage under your comprehensive policy. The standard excess on all Setanta Insurance car and van insurance policies is €250 but may be higher in certain cases.

What happens if the accident was not my fault?

If the accident is not your fault you can pursue the other driver's insurance company.  Alternatively we can handle your comprehensive claim and pursue the recovery from the other driver's insurance company on your behalf to ensure your no claims bonus is not affected.

What happens if the accident was my fault?

We will handle your comprehensive claim and the other driver's claim as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you receive any correspondence from the other driver or their insurance company, please forward it to us and we will respond to them on your behalf.

What if the other driver disputes the accident circumstances?

We will discuss in detail the circumstances of the accident with you or your Broker and we will investigate the accident fully. Disputes will be resolved by negotiation where possible. If we can't resolve a dispute, it is possible that we will need to revert to a dispute resolution procedure or court of law.

Car

What's different about a Setanta Insurance car policy?

All Setanta Insurance car policies offer Class 2 Business Use as standard and an Open Drive option available allowing for drivers aged between 24-75 years (inclusive) who hold a full valid Irish, UK or EU driving licence.

What is the standard policy excess?

The standard accidental damage, fire and theft excess (the part you pay when you have a claim) is €250. This increases on a sliding scale for vehicles with a value in excess of €49,999.

What about windscreen replacement?

This is automatic with all Setanta Insurance policy types. A limit of €200 applies unless one of our aligned repairers is used. 

Our aligned repairers are:

Allglass Windscreens: 1890 25 31 03 or contact them online via their website: www.allglass.ie

Mr Windscreen: 1850 51 23 45 or contact them online via their website: www.mrwindscreen.ie

Both can also be contacted by calling our Claims Centre on 0818 255 255.

What type of cover can I buy?

You can choose to insure your car for Comprehensive or Third Party Fire and Theft cover.

How do I get a quote?

Setanta Insurance deals exclusively through a countrywide network of Brokers. You can get a quote by contacting one of these authorised insurance agents.

See the Find a Broker section on our website for details of a Broker in your local area.

If I have an accident, how do I make a claim?

All you have to do is to contact your Broker or call our Claims Centre on 0818 255 255 and together we can deal with your claim over the telephone.

I've been a named driver on someone else's policy for a few years - does that entitle me to a no claims discount if I take out my own policy?

Yes, a driver named on someone else's policy will be credited with the appropriate introductory no claims discount, according to the number of full claim-free years they are named as a driver. For example, if the driver is named for 3 years and 6 months, they shall receive an introductory no claims discount of 3 years.

In what instance does Setanta Insurance allow a mirrored No Claims Bonus?

This is available for Insured Only and Insured & Spouse/Partner policies where a year-for-year mirrored introductory discount up to a maximum of 60% (5 years) may be allowed where the policyholder (who is also the registered owner) has earned a bonus on either a private car or commercial vehicle policy. Proof of this must be provided and only claims free years can be considered for the benefit of the mirrored bonus.

N.B: A mirrored bonus can only be allowed if any spouse/partner on the policy currently has a full valid Irish, UK, or EU Driving Licence. Mirrored Bonuses are not allowed from previously mirrored policies. Open Driving is not available where any part of a Bonus is Mirrored or Introductory. 

As a Setanta Insurance private car policyholder can I drive someone else's car with their permission?

Yes, you can drive other cars provided you have the owner's permission.  The cover provided by this extension is always Third Party only and does not apply to named drivers on the policy or policies held in a company name.  Please check the policy booklet for exclusions that may apply to this cover.

Can I use my car abroad?

Yes, we give you full policy cover within the EU during any insurance period. If you require an international green card, we will supply you with one free of charge. Please let your Broker have at least one week's notice in advance of your journey.

What should I do if I am involved in a accident abroad?

In the event you are involved in an accident whilst driving your vehicle outside of Ireland, you should contact our European Claims Handling Partner AVUS on 00431 5054363. AVUS will direct you to an approved agent office in the local area.

I am currently insured to drive a company car on my employer's fleet policy. Do these claim free years contribute to a no claim discount?

Yes, if you had full time use of a company vehicle and are retiring or coming off the company fleet policy, you will be credited with the appropriate no claims bonus, according to the number of years you were named, subject to a maximum credit equal to 5 years claim-free driving. To do this, you need to obtain two letters - one from your previous employer stating you had full time use of a company vehicle, and one from the insurer of the fleet policy stating that no accidents or claims were recorded in the last 5 years against you whilst the policy was in force.

Van

What type of cover can I buy?

You can choose to insure your vehicle for Comprehensive or Third Party Fire and Theft cover.

How do I get a quote?

Setanta Insurance deals exclusively through a countrywide network of Brokers. You can get a quote by contacting one of these authorised insurance agents.

See the Find a Broker section on our website for details of a Broker in your local area.

If I have an accident, how do I make a claim?

All you have to do is to contact your Broker or call our Claims Centre on 0818 255 255 and together we can deal with your claim over the telephone.

I've been a named driver on someone else's policy for a few years - does that entitle me to a no claims discount if I start my own policy?

Yes, a driver named on someone else's policy will be credited with the appropriate introductory no claims discount, according to the number of full claim-free years they are named as a driver. For example, if the driver is named for 3 years and 6 months, they shall receive an introductory no claims discount of 3 years.

As a Setanta Insurance commercial vehicle policy holder, can I drive someone else's van with their permission?

Yes, you can drive other vans up to a maximum of 4 tonnes carry capacity provided you have the owners permission.  The cover provided by this extension is always third party only and does not apply to named drivers on your policy or policies held in a company name.  Please check the policy booklet for exclusions that may apply to this cover.

Can I use my van abroad?

Yes, we give you full policy cover within the EU during any insurance period. If you require an international green card, we will supply you with one free of charge. Please let your Broker have at least one week's notice in advance of your journey.

What should I do if I have an accident?

In the event you are involved in an accident whilst driving your vehicle outside Ireland, you should contact our European Claims Handling Partner AVUS on 00431 5054363.  AVUS will direct you to an appointed agent office in the local area.  

I am currently insured to drive a company van through my employer's fleet policy. Do these claim free years contribute to a no claim discount?

Yes, if you had full time use of a company vehicle and are retiring or coming off the company fleet policy, you will be credited with the appropriate no claims bonus, according to the number of years you were named, subject to a maximum credit equal to 3 years claim-free driving. To do this, you need to obtain two letters - one from your previous employer stating you had full time use of a company vehicle, and one from the Insurer of the compaby fleet polcy stating that no accidents or claims were recorded in the last 3 years against you whilst the policy was in force.

I have a trailer. Can I add this to my van policy?

Yes. Subject to the vehicle's manufacturing restrictions and adherence to RTA laws, a trailer is automatically covered for attached third party liability cover under your policy. This cover can be extended to include detached third party liability at no extra charge and/or accidental damage, fire and theft cover for a small additional premium.