Insurers will not agree to a new scheme to assist those impacted by flooding until the Government gets significant flood defences built.

A River Shannon taskforce and an extra €10m to cover the clean-up cost are among more than 12 measures agreed by the Government to deal with the flooding crisis.

The weather and ensuing floods in recent weeks has reminded us of the chaos caused by damage to homes and the importance of being prepared and covered for the worst, writes Gráinne McGuinness

The exams set for Leaving Cert economics students included many references to current affairs and topical issues, like Irish Water, mortgage lending restrictions and rent controls.

Think your penalty points have been wiped after three years? Think again.

Watchdog Insurance Ireland has received more than 2,200 calls from the public to its fraud hotline since the start of 2012.

Last February’s storms knocked winded insurance companies to the tune of €110m, according to latest calculations.

A good knowledge of current affairs would have been of benefit to students taking Leaving Certificate economics yesterday.

The woodwork exams taken yesterday afternoon went down well with Junior Certificate students who spoke to Noel Scott.

Many parts of the country are counting the cost of weeks of stormy weather, but Met Éireann has said the worst is over.

Elderly people who do not live “gold-plated” lifestyles and who suffered a raft of other budget cuts are to be among the worst hit by the slashing of health insurance tax relief — with bills likely to increase by hundreds of euro.

Homeowners have been urged to check their policies and advise their insurers if they intend leaving their homes unoccupied for more than 45 days.

Cork families hit by flood damage for the third time in four years are almost certain to see their insurance costs hiked again — and could be barred from insurance coverage completely.

Insurance companies areunlikely to take legal action against the ESB for the floods which devastated Cork city in 2009.

Almost 60,000 credit card driving licences are now in use since the system went live at the start of the year.

Changes to insurance rules come into force today which will make it more expensive for women drivers.

Three former insurance insiders have launched a scathing attack on the industry over its treatment of flood victims.

Rumblings of insurance companies playing hardball with householders and businesses affected by the recent floods are beginning to emerge just a few short weeks after the event.

Rumblings of insurance companies playing hardball with householders and businesses affected by the recent floods are beginning to emerge just a few short weeks after the event.

Uninsured business-owners in Cork are appealing for help this morning following widespread flooding in the county yesterday.

Drivers, especially ‘boy racers’, who modify their cars, should notify their insurance companies.

THE Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) yesterday announced the estimated total insured cost of last October’s floods at €127 million.

Some €127m worth of insurance claims have been registered as a result of last October's floods in the east of the country.

HOMEOWNERS looking to renew their home insurance should brace themselves for rises in premiums of up to 15% by the end of the year, the Irish Brokers Association warned yesterday.

Insurance industry representatives said today that they are disappointed with a European ruling on gender, and may appeal.

INSURERS are restricting the number of homes they are offering flood cover to as the industry paid out in Europe €1 billion in the last 14 months on weather-related incidents.

Authorities warned tonight of flooding risks in coastal areas with high tides, gales and heavy rain forecast this weekend.

THE Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) has insisted the industry is not responsible for the delays faced by policy holders who have yet to be compensated for flood damage caused eight months ago.

A CHARITY has warned the Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland that firms are taking advantage of hundreds of people as a direct result of the November floods crisis.

INSURANCE companies expect that claims arising from the November floods will cost €244 million.

THE €10 million humanitarian flood relief package unveiled by the Government was under attack last night for being too meagre.

HOMEOWNERS living in areas subject to subsidence and flooding could find they are unable to get house insurance as companies refuse to offer cover.

THE country’s largest insurance company dealt with a staggering 1,042 claims yesterday as its call lines were inundated by flood victims.

SALES of life protection products have risen by as much as 20% in the first three months of this year as the recession encourages people to put money aside for a rainy day.

A new report released today by the Department of Transport shows that car insurance prices have fallen by 19% between 2002 and 2005.

THE insurance industry will continue to pay for claims brought against unaccompanied learner drivers, even though they are breaking the law.

PRIVATE developers are being urged to provide a multi-storey car park in tourist haven Killarney which has a shortage of parking spaces, especially in the high season.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy has set his sights on Tiger Woods' course record in the Irish Close at the European Club.

IRISH motor insurance companies may soon refuse to pay compensation to passengers who are injured while travelling in vehicles driven by drunk drivers.

Rory McIlroy took the Irish Amateur Close Championship yesterday evening in Westport when he defeated Eddie McCormack three-and-two in the final.

Teenage prodigy Rory McIlroy is through to the semi-finals of the Irish Amateur Close Championship.

Irish Amateur Close Championship at Westport Golf Club

The Irish Insurance Federation said today that false motor insurance claims have accounted for 67% of cases reported to its anti-fraud hotline.