Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva) pays out €340 million in general insurance claims in 2025 – up 24% as storms and rising repair costs drive claims surge
Property claims rise 65% following Storms Éowyn and Darragh, motor costs continue to climb, litigation and fraud remain major pressures
- Aviva paid out €340 million in general insurance claims in 2025 – a 24% increase on 2024
- Storm Éowyn and settlements linked to Storm Darragh drive a 65% rise in property payments
- Motor damage claim costs rose 23% in 2025, and are now 39% higher than in 2023
- Injury claims remained broadly in line with 2024, with only 50% of IRB assessments were accepted, keeping litigation levels high
- Rising legal costs are increasingly eroding savings achieved under the Personal Injuries Guidelines
Aviva calls for the creation of a Central Insurance Industry Fraud Hub, to strengthen detection and disrupt organised fraud
Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva) today announced that it paid out €340 million in general insurance claims in 2025 – a 24% increase on the previous year, with property claims rising 65%.
The jump in property claims reflects the severity of Storm Éowyn, which caused widespread damage to homes and businesses across Ireland, as well as the settlement of Storm Darragh claims (from December 2024) during 2025. Aviva noted that while weather-related events were a major factor, broader cost pressures also contributed across key claims categories.
Motor claims
Motor damage payments increased by 23% in 2025. Combined with the 13% increase in 2024, this means repair and write off costs are now 39% higher than in 2023.
Rising costs for vehicle parts, repair labour, paint and on-board technology drive higher repair costs across the market. These pressures are compounded by delays, a shortage of skilled repairers, EV repair complexity and increased collision volumes. Elevated volumes have persisted, and Aviva reports that motor claims notified in early 2026 remain high.
Injury claims
Spending on injury claims remains broadly in line with 2024.
However, litigation levels remain high, with just 50% of Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) assessments accepted in 2025. This means a significant proportion of claimants pursued their cases through the courts, resulting in longer settlement times and higher legal costs.
Aviva noted that, as shown in the National Claims Information Database (NCID), savings delivered under the Personal Injuries Guidelines continue to be eroded by rising legal fees.
Commenting on the figures, Lisa Dennehy, Chief Claims Officer at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC said: “These figures demonstrate our commitment to supporting customers when things go wrong. Our focus is on delivering a fair and timely resolution of claims. Our claims team is supported by a nationwide network of motor repairers and property loss adjusters who provide an excellent service to our customers.
Combatting fraud
Aviva said that insurance fraud continues to add unnecessary costs for honest policyholders and remains a key focus for the business.
The insurer is investing in specialist expertise, enhanced fraud detection technology, and closer collaboration with law enforcement. Aviva welcomed the proactive stance taken by the Courts and An Garda Síochána but highlighted continued challenges around industry wide information sharing.
Lisa Dennehy added: ‘Despite Aviva submitting 100 criminal disclosures to An Garda Síochána in 2025, limitations on data sharing restrict the industry’s ability to identify patterns, detect repeat offenders, and accurately assess the scale of fraud. Relying solely on Gardaí to connect information across multiple insurers does not lead to optimal outcomes, and fraudulent activity remains undetected for longer than necessary’.
Aviva continues to strongly advocate for a Central Insurance Industry Fraud Hub, modelled on the UK’s Insurance Fraud Bureau, to enable real time intelligence sharing between insurers and law enforcement under robust consumer data safeguards.
Insurance reform
We welcome the publication of the General Schemes of the Civil Reform Bill and the Judicial Council (Amendment) Bill - two important reforms at a critical time for personal injury claims in Ireland. Legal costs continue to rise due to delay heavy litigation and procedural inefficiencies, which place unnecessary pressure on consumers and businesses. The Civil Reform Bill’s proposals for pre-action protocols, earlier more efficient disclosure and clearer case management are essential to reducing cost inflation and supporting earlier, lower‑cost resolution. Embedding mediation as a central, expected step at pre action stage could reduce avoidable litigation and deliver faster, lower cost outcomes. It is essential that these reforms include firm obligations, strict enforcement, and meaningful penalties to ensure the benefits of reforms are not eroded by escalating legal costs. Amendments to the Judicial Council framework should help deliver a more predictable and consistently applied injury‑valuation process. Greater consistency will support earlier settlement and reduce unnecessary legal spend
Lisa Dennehy, Chief Claims Officer at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC
Mediation and claims handling
Aviva said it strongly supports Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) mediation and consents at higher rates than the wider market across employer liability, public liability and motor claims. The IRB reports a 55% mediation success rate, with most cases settling within around three months – compared with an average of eleven months through the Assessment route.
‘To continue reducing delays and avoid unnecessary costs, greater uptake of mediation from both claimants and respondents is vital. When both sides engage constructively, claims can be settled faster, more fairly and at significantly lower cost', Dennehy said.
She concluded: 'We continue to pay all genuine claims, support the government’s reform programme and work closely with our service partners to mitigate the cost of inflation and supply chain pressures. Our focus remains clear: providing an excellent service to customers when they need us most’.