Terms of Business

Important Notice for Zurich Customers

Zurich Insurance Europe AG (Zurich), previously called Zurich Insurance plc, is a non-life insurance company and is part of the Zurich Insurance Group. Registered in Frankfurt, Germany (registration number pending) with its registered seat at Platz der Einheit 2, 60327, Frankfurt A.M. Registered in Ireland as a branch (registration number pending) with registered branch office at Zurich House, Frascati Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, A94X9Y3. Zurich Insurance Europe AG is authorised by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) in Germany and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. Registered in Ireland for Value Added Tax (VAT), registration no. IE9F55841D. Zurich is a member of Insurance Ireland and subscribes to its voluntary code of conduct. Zurich is subject to a number of Codes of Conduct published by the Central Bank of Ireland including the Consumer Protection Code and the Minimum Competency Code and these can be found on its website at www.centralbank.ie.

    ^ Back to top

Quotation Period

Quotes are valid for a period of 30 days.

    ^ Back to top

Cooling-off Period - Right of Withdrawal

As a consumer you have the right to withdraw from any Zurich policy within 14 days of the latest of the date of inception of cover, or the date which you receive your Policy Schedule, without penalty and without any reason. The right of withdrawal may be exercised by notice in writing to Zurich, quoting your policy number. In relation to motor vehicle insurance a notice of cancellation is not properly given unless the relevant certificates of insurance and insurance disc have been surrendered to Zurich. Should the right be exercised, Zurich will charge a pro-rata premium for the period you are on cover. Please note that this right of withdrawal does not apply when renewing a policy.

^ Back to top

Main Characteristics of the Policy

The main characteristics of your (the consumer’s) insurance policy is, as explained to you and as set out in your Policy Terms and Conditions which you have been given and which is available on request from Zurich.

^ Back to top

Period of Insurance

Subject to cancellation, the period of insurance in respect of any policy held with Zurich will be the period specified by Zurich as such in the Policy Schedule and/or Renewal Notice.

^ Back to top

What will happen if I want to cancel my policy?

You (the Consumer) can cancel your policy at any time by writing to us. We will cancel the policy on the date we receive your request in writing. In the case of motor insurance, we will cancel your policy from the date we receive the relevant certificate and disc of motor insurance. Please note that if you should cancel your policy a cancellation fee of €25 will apply for home insurance, €75 for motor insurance and €75 for farm protection insurance.

^ Back to top

Will I receive a refund after I cancel my policy?

Provided that no incident giving rise to a claim has occurred in the current period of insurance, you will be entitled to a proportionate return of the premium for the unexpired period of insurance. Where it applies, we will deduct an administration charge from any return of premium.

^ Back to top

Payment options

An instalment payment facility may be available. Please contact Zurich or your Broker for further details.

^ Back to top

What happens if I miss a payment?

If you pay your premium by instalments, we may cancel the policy if you miss a payment. We will write to you, allowing 21 days to make the payments, before the policy is cancelled.

^ Back to top

What happens if I make a claim?

In the event you need to make a claim for loss or damage, please let us know immediately by calling our 24/7 emergency helpline on 01 609 1436 or 0818 208 408. Terms and conditions may apply and these will be fully explained to you by your claims handler.

Please note that an excess may apply to your claim, an excess is the first part of the claim for which you are liable to pay. For further details please check your policy document or contact your claims handler.

Our priority is to provide financial support to customers throughout the claim process to ensure any repair/reinstatement work is completed as quickly as possible. In the event of a property claim, where we elect to settle a claim on a cash basis, we may release a proportion of the estimated cost of repair/reinstatement prior to completion of the work.

Don’t forget to keep your receipts for any repair/reinstatement work as you will need to validate these costs. The balance of the cost, otherwise known as a "retention amount", will be given to you on receipt of the appropriate documentation that validates the costs incurred by you for the repair/reinstatement work (e.g. VAT invoices).

    ^ Back to top

Conflict of Interest

Zurich has procedures in place to avoid conflicts of interest and, when they cannot be avoided, we will fully disclose the potential conflict and ensure that customers are treated fairly.

    ^ Back to top

Complaints Procedures

At Zurich, we care about our customers and believe in building long-term relationships by providing quality products combined with a high standard of service.

If it should happen that you have cause for complaint, either in relation to your policy or any aspect regarding the standard of our service, please see the steps outlined below:

  • If you have arranged your policy with Zurich through af Broker, you should firstly direct your complaint to the Broker with whom you arranged your policy.
  • If you deal with us directly, you should contact the Customer Services Co-ordinator, Zurich Insurance, PO Box 78, Wexford. Telephone (01) 667 0666.

If the complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should write to the Chief Executive Officer at the aforementioned address, or alternatively you may wish to contact:

  • Insurance Ireland, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, DO1 E7E8. Telephone: (01) 676 1820
  • Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 567 7000. Email: info@fspo.ie. Website: www.fspo.ie
  • The Central Bank of Ireland, PO Box 559, Dame Street, Dublin 2. Lo -Call: 1890 77 77 77

Your right to take legal action is not affected by following any of the above procedures.

    ^ Back to top

Governing Law

The laws of Ireland will apply to your policy and the Irish courts will have jurisdiction to hear any disputes regarding your policy, unless otherwise stated on your proposal form or in your policy terms and conditions.

    ^ Back to top

Language

Your Zurich policy and all communications in respect of the policy will be in English.

Please consult your policy document, and/or Schedule for full Policy Terms and Conditions which you have been given and which is available on request from Zurich. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Zurich on 01 667 0666 or 1850 44 77 99. Please note Zurich may record phone calls for training and security purposes and to ensure the highest level of customer service.

    ^ Back to top

Premium Alterations

If an alteration to the Policy results in an additional premium due to the Insurer or a refund premium due to the Insured, we will only charge or refund such premium provided the amount involved is greater than or equal to €10. The following fees may be incurred if you are making changes to your insurance:

  • Temporary Additional Drivers - €25.50 minimum administration fee
  • Temporary Substitution - €25.50 administration fee if the temporary car is not like for like
  • Duplicate Documents – no charge

    ^ Back to top

Explanatory Note

All references made to Zurich refer to Zurich Insurance Europe AG. A consumer is a natural person acting for purposes outside his / her trade, business or profession.

    ^ Back to top

Data protection

This notice gives a brief summary of what Zurich, may do with your personal information. The information that you provide ('data') will be used for the administration of your policy and/or any claims made on the policy within the Zurich Insurance Group and our partners inside and outside the European Economic Area. We may share with our agents and service providers, members of the Zurich Insurance Group, other insurers and their agents, and with any intermediary acting for you. Data is at all times treated as confidential and the appropriate measures are taken to ensure it is secure. Zurich is subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Acts 1988-2003 and will hold your data in accordance with our data protection and privacy policy together with all applicable data protection laws and principles.

Effective Date: 6th July 2017

    ^ Back to top