Athenry News & Views Winter 2025

Athenry News & Views

On a night of unprecedented force, Storm Eowyn on the 24th January 2025, tore through Ireland with average wind speeds of 97 mph and gusts reaching up to 135 mph. It was, by all accounts, the most destructive storm to hit the country in decades. In its wake, the devastation was immense: Over 768,000 homes and businesses across Ireland were left without power, some for several weeks. In Northern Ireland, another 240,000 were plunged into darkness. Tragically, three people lost their lives. Experts have noted that the death toll could have been far higher had Eowyn struck during daylight hours — a time when many would have ventured outside to protect property or assist neighbours, unknowingly putting themselves in grave danger. Because the storm passed overnight, countless lives were spared. Yet, its impact lingered for months, and in some ways, continues to shape recovery efforts even now. Forests Flattened, Barriers Lost Ireland’s forestry — from state-owned woodlands to private holdings — suffered catastrophic damage. What were once considered natural wind barriers are now gone, leaving the landscape and future forestry operations far more exposed to the elements. Insurance Fallout: Counting the Cost The insurance industry reported approximately 33,000 claims arising from Eowyn, with total costs exceeding €300 million. For comparison: The 2010 freeze cost insurers around €300 million. The 2009 floods totalled €240 million. Yet beyond these numbers lie untold personal losses. Thousands suffered damage not covered by insurance, prompting the government to process 66,000 claims under the Humanitarian Aid Scheme. How Insurers Stepped Up Given the sheer scale of claims, many insurers adapted quickly. They raised their “desktop claim” threshold to €30,000, allowing settlements without requiring Storm Eowyn worst since Debbie in 1961

By Sean Cleary

loss adjusters to visit every property. This streamlined approach was a lifeline — provided claimants understood how to prepare their claims. However, as one adjuster noted, “many people simply didn’t know what to send in.” The result? Incomplete or inaccurate figures Claims for uninsured items Omissions of legitimate losses Builder estimates that failed to account for contents, accommodation, or business interruption This wasn’t a fault of the builders, but of the process itself. Insurers often request “just send in your builder’s estimate,” but that rarely tells the full story of what’s needed to rebuild a life. Behind the Scenes: How Claims Are Reviewed Even when handled remotely, loss adjusters typically assess: Whether cover is valid and any exclusions apply Whether the claim was reported in time If the property is adequately insured (based on maps, images, and valuations) If damage involves shared structures or boundaries Whether temporary repairs were completed If claimed figures are realistic and consistent with visible damage The Hidden Trap: Underinsurance One of the most common — and costly — issues is underinsurance.

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