Written answers

Tuesday, 9 April 2024

Department of Finance

Insurance Industry

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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274. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will examine the system by which genuine claims for compensation for damage to vehicles due to pot holes on our public roads are being declined by a company (details supplied) without any recourse to appeal by the vehicle owner and the dismissive attitude of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13651/24]

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal and policy framework governing financial regulation. As the Deputy will appreciate, I am unable to comment on individual cases, nor can I intervene in disputes that individuals may have with an insurance provider, including in the one specified.

In situations where a person is not satisfied with the service of an insurance provider, it is advisable that that person make a complaint to the firm's internal complaint resolution process. The Central Bank of Ireland’s Consumer Protection Code requires that if after 40 days the complaint has not been resolved to the customer’s satisfaction, the regulated entity must inform the consumer that they may refer their complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO).

The FSPO is a statutory official who acts as an independent arbiter of disputes which consumers may have with their insurance company or other financial service provider. The FSPO can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01-567-7000. Investigations by the FSPO are free of charge to the complainant.

Finally, it may interest the Deputy to know that Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurance providers in this country, operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be accessed at: feedback@insuranceireland.eu.

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