Most Irish loss assessors charge a percentage of the recovered settlement on a no-win, no-fee basis. The standard rate is 8% to 10% plus VAT. Some firms quote on different structures (fixed fee, hourly, hybrid) for specific claim types. Here is how the maths works in practice and what to look for in any fee agreement.
The standard percentage model
The most common fee structure in Irish loss assessing:
- A percentage of the total recovered settlement
- Usually 8% (sometimes 10%) plus VAT
- Payable only when the settlement is recovered
- Free initial consultation and case assessment
The fee is a percentage of the total settlement, not the uplift over the insurer’s first offer. On a 50,000 euro settlement at 8% plus VAT, the fee would be roughly 4,920 euro.
Why no-win, no-fee works
The structure aligns the loss assessor’s interests with the policyholder’s. We get paid only when the policyholder gets paid. We have no incentive to take on cases that will not produce a meaningful recovery; we have every incentive to maximise settlements where we do engage.
For policyholders, no-win-no-fee removes the financial risk of professional engagement. The downside scenario is that no settlement is recovered, in which case there is no fee.
What about claims where the insurer would have paid anyway
This is a fair question. The argument for assessor engagement on claims that would have settled regardless rests on the size of the uplift over the insurer’s first offer. If the loss assessor’s involvement adds 10,000 euro to a settlement that would otherwise have been 30,000, the policyholder ends up at 36,800 (40,000 less the 8% plus VAT fee on the new total). That is 6,800 euro better off than the do-nothing scenario.
If the loss assessor’s involvement does not produce an uplift (the insurer’s first offer was fair), the value is zero and you would have been better off not engaging. The free initial review exists to identify which scenario you are in before you commit.
Other fee structures
For specific claim types, other structures sometimes make sense:
- Fixed fee. For straightforward claims with a known scope, particularly commercial accounts.
- Hourly. Rare in Ireland; sometimes used for advisory work that does not lead to a claim.
- Hybrid. A small fixed fee plus a percentage of any uplift achieved.
The percentage no-win-no-fee model dominates because it works fairly across the typical range of Irish home and commercial claims.
What to check in any fee agreement
Before signing:
- Percentage rate. 8% is standard; significantly more deserves explanation.
- VAT treatment. Irish VAT (currently 23%) applies; confirm whether the quoted rate is inclusive or exclusive.
- Calculation basis. Percentage of total settlement, or of uplift over the insurer’s first offer? The two produce very different fees.
- Payment timing. When the settlement is paid, not before.
- Cancellation rights. Reasonable; should match Central Bank consumer protection rules.
- Conflict of interest disclosures. The firm should not be acting for the insurer or the loss adjuster on the same claim.
Regulatory framework
Loss assessors in Ireland are regulated by the Central Bank under the Investment Intermediaries Act and related codes. Look for the firm’s Central Bank certificate number on its website and stationery. We are certificate number C41330.
When to call a loss assessor
The free initial review is the right starting point. It commits you to nothing, gives you an honest read on whether the claim is worth engaging, and tells you the fee in advance. Contact us to arrange one.
The summary
8% plus VAT, no-win-no-fee, payable only when the settlement is paid. The free initial review tells you whether the engagement is worth it. No surprises.
Written by the team at N.J. Carroll & Associates, insurance loss assessors and quantity surveyors, established 1988.
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