From time to time, members of the public may need to make a property damage claim against a State authority covered by State indemnity where their property, such as buildings, content or other personal property, is damaged by a delegated State authorities during the course of their work.
The State Claims Agency is responsible for managing property damage claims against delegated State authorities under the General Indemnity Scheme.
The General Indemnity Scheme provides indemnity to third parties (e.g. members of the public) for damage to their property, where a State authority has been negligent. This includes physical damage to or loss of material property including buildings, contents, vehicles and/or personal property.
Top 3 Common Questions
Set out below are answers to the top three most common questions about making a property damage claim against a State authority delegated to the General Indemnity Scheme.
State authorities delegated to the General Indemnity Scheme are covered, including An Garda Siochána, HSE/the National Ambulance Service, the Defence Forces, Irish Prison Service. View a full list of General Indemnity Scheme State authorities.
If your property has been damaged by a State authority that is indemnified by the State, you will need to initiate and submit a claim through the State Claims Agency. The property damage claim process is as follows:
- Where possible, get an estimated cost for repairing/replacing the property that has been damaged
- Select and complete the relevant property damage forms available here
- Submit the form to the State Claims Agency
Following notification of your claim, the State Claims Agency will investigate the background and circumstances giving rise to the claim and make a determination on liability. The State Claims Agency may instruct an independent expert to examine the damage. The length of the process will differ depending on the specific circumstances and details of the claim and may also be impacted by external factors beyond the State Claims Agency’s control. Please allow time for review and/or processing of the claim.
If the State Claims Agency accepts liability on behalf of the State authority, it will engage with you to resolve the claim.
If the State Claims Agency establishes that liability is disputed, it will advise you accordingly and will formally deny liability in respect of your claim.
To complete the non-motor property damage claim form (i.e. damage to house, building, contents, personal property), you will need the following:
- Date of incident
- Name of property owner
- Your contact details
- Address of the property
- Brief incident circumstances
- State party’s details (name, contact details, State location e.g. Garda station, military barracks, ambulance base location, Irish Prison Service location)
- Estimated cost of damage to your property (if known)
Property Damage Claims - Frequently Asked Questions
If you are a member of the public, find answers to frequently asked questions about making a property damage claim.
