FBD Insurance plc (F.B.D. Insurance Public Limited Company)
FBD Insurance
FBD Insurance is a motor casco insurance for the Ireland market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
Where the insured car is subject to a hire, lease or finance agreement (including hire purchase), FBD pays any claim settlement to the owner named in the agreement, after which FBD has no further liability for the loss or damage.
Geographic scope
Republic of Ireland
Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, other EU member states, and other countries meeting EU motor insurance directive minimum requirements, plus sea transit between covered ports. Driving of other cars cover and car breakdown assistance are subject to narrower territorial limits described in key conditions.
Unique selling points
- Windscreen and window glass claims through FBD's approved supplier carry no excess and do not affect the no-claim discount.
- Car hire cover extends up to 25 days per claim (versus a standard cap) when the policyholder uses FBD's approved repairer network.
- New car replacement with a car of the same make and model if the insured car is written off above 60% of list price or stolen and not recovered within four weeks, within its first 12 months/50,000 km.
- Damage caused by an identified uninsured vehicle is covered with no impact on the no-claim discount, subject to reporting conditions.
- Claims service and car breakdown assistance are both available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Coverage limits
Own damage cover (market value settlement)
Covered
Comprehensive cover pays for accidental loss of or damage to the insured car. FBD may repair, reinstate or replace the car (or any part, accessory or spare part) or pay a cash amount. Settlement is based on the market value of the car as determined by a motor assessor appointed at FBD's expense, taking into account make, model, specification, age and mileage; modifications not part of the standard specification are excluded unless factory-fitted or otherwise agreed.
Total loss / theft not recovered settlement
Covered
Where the insured car is a total loss (damaged beyond repair or deemed uneconomical to repair) or is stolen and not recovered, the maximum FBD will pay is the market value of the car immediately prior to the loss or damage, less any residual salvage value. FBD is entitled to take possession of and dispose of the car during the claim.
Repair cover for partial loss/damage
Covered
For repairable accidental damage, FBD will arrange repair through its network of recommended repairers. If the policyholder prefers not to use a recommended repairer, FBD pays only up to the equivalent cost of using its recommended repairer, as determined by its motor assessor. A reduced excess applies on private car policies if the approved repairer network is used.
Theft and attempted theft cover
Covered
Comprehensive cover includes loss of or damage to the insured car from theft or attempted theft (also included, at a lower level, under Third Party, Fire and Theft cover). Theft and attempted theft claims carry no excess and do not reduce the no-claim discount. Settlement follows the total loss/market value basis if the car is not recovered.
Windscreen and window glass cover
€223
Included as standard with Comprehensive cover (or purchasable as an optional extra on Third Party, Fire and Theft policies). Covers accidental breakage, cracking or chipping of windscreen or window glass with no policy excess and no impact on the no-claim discount, provided FBD's approved supplier is used. If the approved supplier is not used, cover is capped at €223 per claim for replacement, or €30 in total for repair of chips/cracks regardless of number.
Fire and related perils (partial natural perils cover)
Covered
Fire, self-ignition, lightning and explosion are covered perils under Section 2 (both Comprehensive and Third Party, Fire and Theft cover). However, General exclusion 3 excludes any claim, loss or damage caused by earthquake, riot or civil commotion.
Malicious damage cover
Covered
Malicious damage to the insured car is treated as a covered event under Comprehensive accidental damage cover; the policyholder must report any malicious or deliberate damage to An Garda Síochána within 24 hours, in the same way as theft or attempted theft.
Car breakdown assistance
Covered
Included as standard with Comprehensive cover, provided separately by MAWDY (formerly branded MAPFRE ASSISTANCE Agency Ireland in earlier policy editions). Gives 24-hour emergency assistance for breakdown, accident, fire, theft, attempted theft, malicious damage, punctures, or lost/stolen/locked-in keys. Includes one hour's free labour at the roadside/home/workplace, towing to the nearest capable garage, and if the journey cannot be completed, onward public transport, a replacement car for up to 48 hours, or one night's overnight accommodation (up to €35 per person / €175 total). If the car is stolen and not recovered within 24 hours, an emergency replacement car is provided for up to 5 days or until recovery. Cover applies in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands; for journeys in England, Scotland or Wales the replacement car cost is capped at £100 sterling and towing to the departure port at £250 sterling.
Car hire expenses / replacement vehicle
€300
Included only with Comprehensive cover. FBD pays the reasonable cost of hiring a car following a valid claim for loss or damage, up to €40 per day and no more than €300 for any one claim. On private car policies, cover extends up to 25 days per claim if the approved repairer network is chosen. Separately, under the Car breakdown assistance benefit, MAWDY may provide a replacement car for up to 48 hours after a breakdown, or up to 5 days (or until recovery) if the car is stolen and not recovered within 24 hours.
Personal accident / driver accident cover
€5,000 – €20,000
Section 3 – Personal accident is included as standard with Comprehensive cover: death €5,000; total/permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes €2,500; loss of one or more limbs €2,500; combined sight and limb loss €2,500 — capped overall at €5,000 in any one period of insurance. Endorsement 84 'Driver accident cover' can be added as an optional benefit (recorded in the schedule) providing higher benefits: death €20,000; sight/limb loss €10,000; hospital expenses up to €350 per week; medical and physiotherapy expenses up to €1,000.
Key conditions
Driver age and experience limit
A higher excess applies to valid accidental damage claims where the insured car is driven by a learner permit or provisional licence holder, or by a driver under 25. The no-claim discount scale runs from 20% after one claims-free year to a maximum of 50% after five claims-free years. Endorsement 19 extends cover to any permitted driver aged between 25 and 71 who holds or has held a full driving licence.
Repair network requirements
A reduced excess applies on private car policies where the policyholder chooses FBD's approved repairer network for a claim. Wider windscreen and window glass cover (no excess, no impact on no-claim discount) also applies only when FBD's approved glass supplier is used; otherwise cover is capped at €223/€30.
Territorial scope
Standard cover applies in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, other EU member states, and other countries meeting EU motor insurance directive requirements, plus sea transit between covered ports. Third party driving of other cars and comprehensive cover for a temporarily borrowed car apply only while driving in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Car breakdown assistance applies only in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
Anti-theft requirements
The insured car must be kept in a roadworthy condition, fitted with correctly working lights, mirrors and braking systems, fitted with tyres meeting the minimum legal tread depth, and must never be left unattended or unlocked with the keys inside or any window or sunroof open.
Claim notification deadline
The policyholder must notify FBD within 48 hours of becoming aware of any accident or event that could lead to a claim, and must report theft, attempted theft, vandalism or other malicious/deliberate acts to An Garda Síochána (or the relevant local police authority) within 24 hours.
Deductible rules
An excess applies to most accidental damage claims as recorded in the schedule; no excess applies to claims for fire, self-ignition, lightning, explosion, theft or attempted theft, or under the windscreen and window glass benefit. A reduced excess applies when the approved repairer network is used, and policyholders can opt for a flexible excess to adjust their premium.
Where to buy
Policy specifics
Windscreen and window glass cover
Windscreen & window glass repairs standard with comprehensive insurance using approved supplier, excludes sunroof, glass roofs & mirror glass
SourceCar breakdown assistance
Round-the-clock driveway and roadside assistance following a mechanical breakdown or accident in Ireland and the UK, including one hour free labour at roadside, home or place of work
SourceCourtesy car
Courtesy car provided for up to 7 days while the insured car is being repaired by FBD's recommended repairer, or up to 10 days for total loss or stolen and not recovered; typically up to 1.2 litre subject to availability
SourceDriver accident protection
Covers death, specified injuries and medical expenses following an accident in the car for the driver and any insured driver
SourceUninsured driver protection
Protection against claims involving uninsured drivers, included as standard with comprehensive insurance
SourceThird party driving of other cars
Third party cover to drive someone else's car on the island of Ireland, subject to age (25-71) and full licence requirements
SourceComprehensive driving of other cars
Optional extra for comprehensive cover to drive other cars on the island of Ireland, available if Third Party Driving is standard and customer has 5-year no claim discount
SourceCar hire expenses
Included only with Comprehensive cover: up to €40/day, max €300 per claim; extends to 25 days on private car policies if the approved repairer network is used.
SourceDamage to your car by an uninsured vehicle
If the insured driver is not at fault and the other identified vehicle is uninsured, damage to the insured car is covered under Section 2 without affecting the no-claim discount, provided the policyholder reports to An Garda Síochána within 24 hours, supplies the uninsured vehicle's details, pays any excess, and notifies the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland.
SourceComprehensive cover for a car which is temporarily borrowed
Not provided on all policies; available only where the policy schedule shows Comprehensive cover and the extension is recorded in Section 5 of the certificate. Covers own-damage to a temporarily borrowed private car (not owned by the policyholder, spouse or partner; not a hire/rental/hire-purchase car; not modified beyond standard specification; registered and taxed privately in Ireland), subject to numerous conditions. Maximum payable is €75,000 or the car's market value at the time of loss, whichever is less.
SourceNew car replacement
FBD will, at the policyholder's request, replace the insured car with a new car of the same make and model if, within 12 months of first registration and with under 50,000 km on the odometer, the car sustains damage exceeding 60% of the manufacturer's list price, or is stolen and not recovered within four weeks.
SourceApproved repairer network
Repairs must be carried out by FBD's approved/recommended repairers to maintain certain benefits such as courtesy car entitlement
SourceNo claims discount
Discount recognized by FBD based on consecutive years without claims; maximum 5-year NCD for enhanced benefits like comprehensive driving of other cars
SourceStep-back no claims discount protection
Optional protection allowing windscreen/glass claims without loss of no claims discount
SourceTerritorial limits
Minimum cover extends to EU territories; third party driving other cars applies to island of Ireland only; breakdown assistance covers Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Isle of Man and Channel Islands
SourceAge and licence restrictions
Third party driving of other cars requires driver to be aged 25-71 with full licence
SourceRoadworthiness requirement
Vehicle must be maintained in roadworthy condition in accordance with policy general conditions
SourceClaims notification timing
Insured must notify FBD as soon as aware of any event which could lead to a claim, before making repairs
Source