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Claims

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 Accident Helpline on 1850 212 212 who will give you all the necessary support and information you need.

Who repairs my vehicle?

You can choose to have it repaired yourself, or use our Approved Repairer service. If you use our Approved Repairers, one of our garages in our nationwide panel of garages 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 Approved Repairer service.

What is a total loss/write off?

If the cost of repairs exceed the market value of the vehicle then it is likely we will consider it to be beyond economic repair. This is often referred to as a total loss.

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

The current market value of your vehicle. We will also look after the disposal of your vehicle.

How long will it take to sort out my claim?

Our aim is to deal with your claim in the shortest time possible.

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?

You can pursue the other driver's insurer, or we can handle your comprehensive claim and pursue the recovery 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 insurers, please forward it to us and we will respond to it 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 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?

Provided you and any other driver is aged between 24-70 yrs, you can avail of our innovative policy that provides open driving and class 2 business use as standard.

What is the standard policy excess?

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

What about windscreen replacement?

This is automatic with all Setanta Insurance policy types. A limit of EUR 200 applies unless our approved repairer - Allied Irish Windscreens is used.

What type of cover can I buy?

You can choose to cover your car fully comprehensive or third party fire and theft.

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

All you have to do is to contact your broker or call our Accident Line on 1850 212 212 and together we can deal with your claim over the telephone.

How do I get a quote?

Setanta Insurance deals exclusively though brokers. You can get a quote by contacting one of our authorised insurance brokers. See “Find a Broker” for details.

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?

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.

I'm getting a second vehicle can I use my no claims bonus twice?

Yes. With Setanta Insurance, the no claims discount can be “mirrored” onto a second vehicle.

As a named driver, can I drive someone else's car with their permission?

No. Only the policyholder can drive other cars provided that the certificate of insurance states the policyholder may drive other cars. The cover provided by this extension is always third party only

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.

I am currently insured to drive a company car through my employer. Do these claim free years contribute to a no claim discount?

Yes, if you had full time use of 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 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 your former employers insurer stating that no accidents or claims were recorded in the last 3 years against you while on their policy.

Van

What type of cover can I buy?

You can choose to cover your vehicle fully comprehensive or third party fire and theft.

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

All you have to do is to contact your broker or call our Accident Line on 1850 212 212 and together we can deal with your claim over the telephone.

How do I get a quote?

We deal exclusively though brokers. You can only get a quote by contacting one of our authorised insurance brokers. See “Find a Broker” to locate your nearest Setanta Insurance broker.

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.

I'm getting a second vehicle can I use my no claims bonus twice?

Yes. With Setanta Insurance, the no claims discount can be “mirrored” onto a second vehicle.

As a named driver, can I drive someone else's van with their permission?

No. Only the policyholder can drive other vans up to 4 tonne provided that the certificate of insurance states the policyholder may drive other vehicles. The cover provided by this extension is always third party only

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.

I am currently insured to drive a company van through my employer. 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 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 your former employers insurer stating that no accidents or claims were recorded in the last 3 years against you while on their policy.

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

Yes. Subject to adherence to your van manufacturer's towing restrictions, 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 for free and/or accidental damage, fire and theft cover for a small additional premium.