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 vehicle 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.
CTA: If you are a member of the public, find answers to frequently asked questions about making a property damage claim.
Top 3 Common Questions
Set out below are answers to the top three most common questions about making a vehicle related 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.
Find answers to more property damage claim frequently asked questions here.
If you have been involved in an accident with a vehicle that is indemnified by the State, you will need to initiate and submit a claim through the State Claims Agency. The vehicle damage claim process is as follows:
- Where possible, get an estimated cost for the damage to your vehicle 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 motor assessor 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 motor-related property damage claim form (i.e. damage to cars, vans and other vehicles), you will need the following:
- Date of incident
- Incident location
- Brief incident circumstances
- Your vehicle details (make and model, registration number)
- Your name, address, contact details
- Your insurance details (including company and policy number)
- Estimated cost of damage to your vehicle (if known)
- State vehicle details (make and model, registration number)
- State vehicle driver’s details (name, contact details, State location e.g. Garda station, military barracks, ambulance base location, Irish Prison Service location)
Making a property damage claim to the State Claims Agency
Learn about how to initiate a property damage claim against a State authority covered by State indemnity through the State Claims Agency.
