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The majority of cases brought to the board last year related to alleged motor injuries. Alamy Stock Photo

People who claimed to the injuries compensation board last year got an average of €19,480 each

Awards ranged from over €600,000 to just under €70.

THERE WAS A 3% increase in insurance claims at the Injuries Resolution Board last year, according to the latest annual report.

The board was set up to mitigate insurance claims so that claimants avoid paying a growing court fees. It assessed 20,837 cases last year, a 3% increase compared to 2023.

Overall claims have fallen by a third since it was established in 2004 and said has saved claimants over €75m in legal fees since it began.

A total of €168m was paid out from the board to claimants last year, for an average award value of €19,480. The vast majority of cases related to alleged motor injuries.

While there has been no change to public liability insurance in the last year, there has been a 4% increase in motor insurance. There has also been a 5% decrease in employer insurance, the board said.

Awards ranged from over €600,000 to just under €70.

It comes as ministers are currently assessing whether to increase insurance pay-outs by 17%, following a recommendation by the Judicial Council.

One reform group has today said the government “cannot increase” insurance pay-outs as it would risk a surge in customer premiums, one reform group has said.

The Central Bank last week said motor insurance premiums have increased by 8% from May 2024 to May 2025.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan told The Journal that he believed more discussion was needed on the issue in order to understand how to follow judicial recommendations while also maintaining progress on insurance reform.

The Alliance for Insurance Reform has today urged ministers to avoid increasing awards with premiums, particularly motor insurance, are on the rise. It said that companies seem to “prioritise profits over policyholders”.

Alliance member Ivan Cooper said: “There is no justification for liability premiums for businesses, sports, community and voluntary groups to be increasing, and yet they continue to do so.” 

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    Mute John Moylan
    Favourite John Moylan
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    Jul 9th 2025, 9:08 AM

    I already got asked for a big increase: up from €356 in 2024 to €622 in 2025. No change in me, circumstances or car. Full NCB etc. Price walking it’s called, and it’s illegal under legislation since 2022.
    Absolutely no justification for it.
    Got 11 quotes and settled on one for € 386.

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    Mute Julio's Evil Twin
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    Jul 9th 2025, 10:21 AM

    @John Moylan: ditto… €325 to €700 increase over 7yrs with BoI RSA.
    May I ask what company you settled with?..
    Thanks John.

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    Mute Lance Taylor
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    Jul 9th 2025, 12:53 PM

    @John Moylan: well done for fighting it John they are trying to scam u a and they shoudl be prosecuted

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jul 9th 2025, 9:20 AM

    Axa reported a profit of €128 million, Aviva €73m, Allianz €55m, all net profit, all up on previous years.

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    Mute Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson
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    Jul 9th 2025, 3:33 PM

    @Thesaltyurchin: and the Government does what? Nothing as usual.

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    Mute Bat Boy
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    Jul 9th 2025, 7:53 PM

    @Thesaltyurchin: AXA made 111M of that profit from its asset management, not insurance. The insurance business made 17M last year and a loss 2 years before.

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    Mute Uí Braonáin
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:25 PM

    @Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson: Of course the government did nothing as this is a win for them considering they only act on the interests of businesses.

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    Mute Lance Taylor
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:36 AM

    I am now expecting a big increase in my car insurance renewal after reading this.

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    Mute Tom O' Donnell
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    Jul 9th 2025, 10:00 AM

    And if the claim is shown to be bull by Supermacs, there’s no consequence

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    Mute The Firestarter
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    Jul 9th 2025, 11:01 AM

    And I have little or no doubt that there was sweet FA wrong with them. However if that wasn’t bad enough, the legal bigwigs are currently looking for an increase which is before the Dail, and expected to get approved.

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    Mute Simon hall
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:54 PM

    They need to start throwing out claims. Two incidents my family had, my mother (75+) slipped on a steep slopes exit in a local shop. Everyone knew it was slippy, it was a bad fall. Her response to the store was to put an non slip surface on it, she said if it’s not done over the next couple of weeks, she’d sue. They fixed it. In her opinion was, make the store aware, accidents happen, store just needed to action it to prevent future accidents.

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    Mute Simon hall
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    Jul 9th 2025, 8:54 PM

    @Simon hall: Second, my nephew cut his hand in a play area in a gym, it needed a couple of paper stitches. My brother tried to find how he did it, the staff were worried he’d sue. He said he had not intention to do so, just wanted to identify the issue. He never found the issue, was annoyed the staff didn’t allow him to find the offending sharp edge. Didn’t sue, his view, kids get scrapes and bruises, normal life…. As life should be. Let’s stop this compo culture

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    Mute Bat Boy
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    Jul 9th 2025, 7:55 PM

    This is why insurance is so expensive in Ireland – Many if not most of the cases where people get pay outs in Ireland would not make it to settlement in most other European countries.

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