About Property Damage Loss Assessors

What Property Damage Loss Assessors do

Qualified and Experienced in helping people when they need it most

James Armitage BSc MRICS MSCSI CIP

James Armitage is the principal of James Armitage & Associates Ltd t/a Property Damage Loss Assessors. James is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with extensive knowledge of building and construction costs, providing clients with the benefit of more than 20 years industry experience and insight.

The following are some of James’s further credentials:

Member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors and registered Quantity Surveyor (MSCSI)

Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)

Member of the Insurance Institute of Ireland (CIP) Certified Insurance Practitioner

Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACIArb)

Member of the Chartered Institute of Loss Assessors

Registered Public Loss Assessor Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland – Reg No C432996

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FAQs

Got a question? We’re here to help.

What is a Loss Assessor?

A loss assessor is a specialist who understands every procedure involved in negotiating insurance claims and will act for you – the policy holder. A loss assessor will look after all the necessary and often complicated claims paperwork, ensuring that you receive your full entitlement. A loss assessor will use their knowledge to negotiate their claim, taking the stress and hassle away from you during this stressful time.
Why should I instruct a Loss Assessor to act in my interests?

Because your insurers will (or already have) instructed a Loss Adjuster to act on their behalf. Loss Adjusters may tell you that they are impartial or independent; however, they are employed by your Insurance Company to act in their best financial interest. NOT Yours.
At what stage of my claim should I instruct a Loss Assessor?

Ideally at the commencement of your claim which is precisely the time when your insurers will instruct a Loss Adjuster to act on their behalf, NOT yours.
What will you charge me?

We handle claims on a no win no fee basis. There is no charge for the initial survey and inspection. In the unlikely event that no claim arises then no fee will be charged. Our standard fee is 10% plus VAT of the value of settlement. Our fees are completely performance based ensuring we always work our hardest for you.

The difference we make in what you receive more than offsets the cost of our fees.

Payment to us is due upon receipt of initial monies received from the insurance company.
What is the smallest claim that a Loss Assessor will deal with?

There is no minimum claim however any claim representing a value under €1,000 & it simply would not be worth the policy holders while engaging our services & paying us a fee.
How long will my claim take to settle?

There is no specific time-frame. The majority of claims are settled within 6-8 weeks, but the more complicated claims can take longer. We do not require payment until you receive your initial settlement payment. This means we have a strong incentive to achieve the best claim settlement in the shortest possible time.
If my claim is already reported is it too late to hire Property Damage Loss Assessors?

It is never too late to involve Property Damage Loss Assessors. However, it is best to allow us to represent you from the beginning because what you say or do at this stage may have serious implications for the ultimate outcome. We prefer to handle the full claim process from the beginning which is when we can be most effective.
Are you nationwide?

We act for claims all over Ireland.
I am not insured – can you still help me?

We have had clients that for one reason or another did not have insurance. However, if we can demonstrate that the third party has been negligent, then we can pursue a claim on your behalf.