Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Finance in relation to persons in the same area using the same insurance company for home insurance, including flood coverage, the reason, following a flooding incident one family's policy is renewed and the other family's policy is not renewed; the independent source or agency available to investigate and adjudicate on this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43710/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The decision about whether to renew cover in any insurance situation is a commercial matter for insurance companies, which is considered on a case by case basis, as this allows the insurance company to properly assess the risk they are accepting. In my role as Minister for Finance I have no function or influence in this matter. In this regard, it should also be noted that there can be different levels of risk within the same area depending on where a house is located and this may be a factor in deciding whether a policy is renewed or not. Other factors which may influence such a decision include the design of the house and the number and nature of claims previously made.

The persons in question have the option of referring this matter to the Financial Services Ombudsman at www.financialombudsman.ie for investigation and adjudication.