Kelly Builders loses claim against UK insurers over fire damage

A construction company’s insurance policy did not cover a workplace accident in which fire damaged a building at the National University of Ireland Maynooth, the High Court has ruled.

Kelly Builders (Rosemount) Ltd sued UK-registered HCC Underwriting Agency Ltd seeking specific performance of its insurance policy contract covering accidents during construction work.

The underwriter claimed the builders had not complied with the terms of insurance by ensuring there was a suitable fully charged fire extinguisher available to a roofing sub-contractor employed to repair the roof.