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INSURANCE IRELAND HAS advised that motor insurance cover operates AS NORMAL today and is not impacted by the weather conditions.

The clarification comes after a post on Facebook and Twitter was doing the rounds stating that car insurance is void if the motorist drives during a red weather alert.

This post is not correct.

This FALSE post has been doing the rounds on social media.

In a statement, Insurance Ireland said:

Damage to cars caused by the storm is covered by comprehensive motor insurance policies.Third party fire and theft policies cover motorists for damage to other cars in the event of an accident, injury to other people, or damage to your car in the event of a fire or theft.

The group which represents the insurance industry in Ireland has advised motorists to heed the warnings in place from the authorities and avoid all non-essential travel.

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Due to warnings of possible property damage caused by Storm Ophelia, the group said home insurance policyholders should be aware of the following information:

• Household buildings and contents insurance policies will cover damage caused by storms.

• Insurers will usually pay for the cost of temporary repairs, so please keep receipts.

• Insurers will also usually pay for the cost of alternative accommodation, if the home becomes uninhabitable.

• Householders should check the full extent of their policies and contact their insurer or broker after the event.

The Irish Claims Consultants Association, which represents public loss assessors in Ireland, has advised policy holders to take photos of the damage for their insurance provider.

All major insurance companies will have additional staff to man helplines and take notifications of claims, with loss adjusters being deployed to assess damage, said the association.

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