ACS Claims has been representing both residential and commercial customers who have suffered damage to their property for almost eight years now.  

Originally set up in Belcoo NI they now have a sister company based in Cavan which serves the ROI market.  

With a two-man team of Malcolm Crawford and Ciaran Maguire, the business was founded in 2016 by Malcolm. 

“I founded the company having previously worked for some of Ireland’s leading insurers as a Regional Claims Manager and recognised the need for a claims advocate representing policyholders in the border areas,” Malcolm said when quizzed on his business.  

“We are one of the few loss assessing companies in the island of Ireland that’s authorised and regulated to represent both UK and Irish Policyholders. We are authorised and regulated by both the FCA in the UK and the Central Bank Of Ireland. 

“What made me start was seeing that there was a need for a claims advocate in the border region. You wouldn’t go to court without a solicitor so you shouldn’t go through the claims process without professional advice. 

"I’d have had experience dealing with claims management companies further down the country and noticed a gap in the market to do it locally. Look, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to have my own business and work for myself and grow a business.” 

Malcolm studied a business degree at John Moore’s University in Liverpool before completing further studies and exams in insurance to give him a Certified Diploma in Loss Adjusting. 

He built vast experience working in insurance in sales, claims and broking to help familiarise himself with covers and wordings and initiated his entrepreneurial instinct with ACS Claims.

Malcolm was joined by Ciaran in 2022 with the latter a qualified construction engineer with 20 years of experience in the construction sector. 

Ciaran has further enhanced the business with his technical expertise in buildings and has also recently completed his insurance exams.

"The main types of claims ACS Claims look after are Escape of Water, Flood, Fire Damage, Oil Escape, Storm, Impact, and Accidental Damage to name but a few,” Malcolm added.

“Escape of water would be the main type of claim we deal with. This could be anything from a leak under the floor of a property from plumbing pipework, a leaking appliance or a shower to a burst tank in an attic.

"We would also deal with a large amount of domestic fires annually where you need to consider not only visible damage to structures and contents but also the secondary damage caused by smoke.

"Oil leaks are a common issue we encounter and it’s imperative that all damages are assessed correctly, and that a correct remediation plan is put in place.

"We have teamed up with some of Ireland’s leading restoration companies and specialists to ensure that all damages whether it be from water, fire, oil or others are all assessed and documented correctly.”

When asked about the challenges facing the insurance industry at present, Malcolm said: “The main issue we face on a daily basis is underinsurance where insurers will take a percentage deduction of your claim if you haven’t insured your property for the right amount.

"With the increase in building rates over the last number of years a lot of people haven’t reviewed their level of cover. An example of underinsurance is when you insure your home for £200,000 but the rebuild is actually £400,000 insurers will deduct your claim settlement amount by 50%.

"This can have a huge financial impact on clients when they have a claim where think they will be covered in full.

"Alongside underinsurance, there are, more than ever, policy conditions and endorsements applied to policies, especially in the commercial sector.

"Going to the right broker will help as they can advise on these prior to taking out cover."

The two lads come across some surprising scenarios in their work. “We’ve encountered damage caused by rodents where they’ve chewed through a pipe which has caused houses to flood,” he continued.

"There’d be occasions where we’ve had to go up to an attic to assess damage and having to crawl through a tight space not knowing what you’ll be met with can be daunting."

With ambitions to grow the business further with the appointment of another member to the team, the hunger for claims hasn’t dwindled for the business as it continues to service clients countrywide from the tip of Donegal as far down as Wexford.

Almost eight years in, Malcolm’s desire to help claimants hasn’t budged an inch and singled that out as the satisfying part of the job.

“The most rewarding part is being there for the client from the outset following a loss giving them the comfort that their interests are being looked at," Malcolm explained.

"Dealing with insurance companies can be stressful so we take that burden from them.

“For example, someone who has just had a fire which has destroyed their property and personal belongings are still in shock when we first meet them, having an expert on your side to properly assess and report all damages to insurers is imperative to ensure the best settlements.

"We are there to help relieve stress throughout this ordeal giving people the confidence that their interests are being protected whilst they work on putting their home or business back together.’’