1. Home
  2. Acts
  3. 1989
  4. Click on title below to return to Act

Updated to 23 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 506 of 2025)

Insurance Act 1989
No. 3 of 1989

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
Ss. 1-43 20 March 1989 Insurance Act 1989 (Parts I, II, III and V) (Commencement) Order 1989 (S.I. No. 50 of 1989) art. 2
Ss. 44-48 1 October 1990 Insurance Act 1989 (Part IV) (Commencement) Order 1990 (S.I. No. 136 of 1990) art. 2
S. 49(2) 1 January 1998 Insurance Act 1989 (Section 49(3)) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 465 of 1997)
S. 49(3)-(6) 1 October 1990 Insurance Act 1989 (Part IV) (Commencement) Order 1990 (S.I. No. 136 of 1990) art. 2
Ss. 50-57 1 October 1990 Insurance Act 1989 (Part IV) (Commencement) Order 1990 (S.I. No. 136 of 1990) art. 2
Ss. 58-61 20 March 1989 Insurance Act 1989 (Parts I, II, III and V) (Commencement) Order 1989 (S.I. No. 50 of 1989) art. 2
First Sch. 20 March 1989 Insurance Act 1989 (Parts I, II, III and V) (Commencement) Order 1989 (S.I. No. 50 of 1989) art. 2
Second Sch. 20 March 1989 Insurance Act 1989 (Parts I, II, III and V) (Commencement) Order 1989 (S.I. No. 50 of 1989) art. 2

Amendments and other effects

How Affected Affecting Provision
Saver for regs., orders, notices & codes of conduct made under 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 36 & sch. 3, par. 11(1), (3), (4)
Insurance undertaking under Act not specified for purposes of s. 16(1) of the Data Protection Act 1988 S.I. No. 657 of 2007, regs. 1 (2), 4 (c). See also reg. 4 (h) in relation to data processor
S. 2 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
  21/2004, ss. 1(2), 33, sch. 3 pt. 6 par. 1
S. 2, meaning appl. 39/2000, ss. 1(2), 8(5)
S. 2(1), defs. am. S.I. No. 485 of 2015, regs. 1(2), (3), 314(1), 318
  23/2010. ss. 2, 15(14), sch. 2 pt. 14 par. 7
  42/2000, ss. 1(4)(a), (5), 3
S. 3(2), subsec. substit. 42/2000, ss. 1(4)(a), (5), 4
S. 3(2B) am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 3(2C) rep. 26/2013, ss. 2, 4(1), sch. 1 pt. 1 item 1
S. 3(2D) am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 3(5) am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 6, s. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
Ss. 4, 5 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 7, s. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 8, s. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 10, s. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 11 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 11 (1) (b) am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 11 (2) am. 21/2004, ss. 1(2), 33. sch. 3 pt. 6 par. 2
S. 12 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 14 (2) am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 14(3) application restricted  S.I. No. 384 of 2017, reg. 3(a)
S. 14(3) inserted S.I. No. 384 of 2017, reg. 3(a)
S. 15 (3) am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 15(9) inserted S.I. No. 384 of 2017, reg. 3(a)
S. 15(9) application restricted S.I. No. 384 of 2017, reg. 3(b)
S. 16 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 17 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
Ss. 17, 18 appl. 2/2003, ss. 1(3), 11(1) (b) (ii)
S. 17 (1) (2) (4) am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 18 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 18 (3), subsec. substit. 21/2004, ss. 1(2), 33, sch. 3 pt. 6 par. 3
S. 18 (5) - (9), subsecs. substit. 21/2004, ss. 1(2), 10(2), sch 1 pt. 2 par. 1
S. 19 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 20 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 20, s. 21/2004, ss. 1(2), 33, sch. 3 pt. 6 par. 4
S. 21 am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 21(5) inserted S.I. No. 485 of 2015, regs. 1(2), (3), 314(2), 318
S. 22 am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 22 (1), subsec. substit. 42/2000, ss. 1 (4) (a) (5), 5
S. 22(1)(b) form prescribed S.I. No. 473 of 2000, regs. 1(2), 3
  S.I. No. 437 of 1999, regs. 1(2), 2, schedule
S. 22 (1E), subsec. substit. 21/2004, ss. 1 (2), 33, sch. 3 pt. 6 par. 5
S. 22(4) subsec. ins. S.I. No. 380 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 85
S. 22(4) substituted S.I. No. 485 of 2015, regs. 1(2), (3), 314(3), 318
S. 22A applied S.I. No. 380 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 4(6).
S. 22A, new s. 42/2000, ss. 1 (4) (a) (5), 5
S. 22A, s. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 23 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 23(3), subsec. ins. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 24 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 24(4) inserted S.I. No. 485 of 2015, regs. 1(2), (3), 314(4), 318
S. 25(3), subsec. del. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 30 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 31, meaning of insurer and policy constr. S.I. No. 142 of 1991, reg. 22(3)
S. 31 rep. 26/2011, s. 8
S. 31 (2) (4 ) (5) (7) rep. 21/2004, ss. 1(2), 10 (2), sch. 1 pt. 2, par. 2
S. 31 (3) (5) (7) del. 21/2004, ss. 1(2), 33, sch. 3 pt. 6, par 6
S. 32 rep. S.I. No. 168 of 2003, reg. 10(5)
S. 33 del. 14/2009, s. 19, sch. 2 pt. 4
S. 34 am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 34(5) inserted S.I. No. 485 of 2015, regs. 1(2), (3), 314(5), 318
S. 35 am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 35(1)(d) amended S.I. No. 457 of 1997, regs. 1(2), 5(a)
S. 35(1)(e) inserted S.I. No. 457 of 1997, regs. 1(2), 5(b)
S. 36 restricted 6/2008, ss. 2(2), 22(3)
S. 36 (3) am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 37, s. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 37(6) relevant offence under Act 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1(2)
S. 38, s. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 39 (1) (2) am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 41(1) relevant offence under Act 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1(2)
S. 42 am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 43 am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
Pt. 3A, (ss. 43A - 43G), new pt. ins. 42/2000, ss. 1 (4) (a) (5), 7
S. 43A(1) am. 37/2015, ss. 1(5), 18(1), 21
S. 43B saver for regs. made under 37/2015, ss. 1(5), 18(3), 21
S. 43B am. 37/2015, ss. 1(5), 18(2)(a), 21
  12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 43B form prescribed S.I. No. 15 of 2001, regs. 2, 6 & schs. 1, 3, 4
S. 43B(a) substit. 37/2015, ss. 1(5), 18(2)(b), 21
S. 43B(b) substit. 37/2015, ss. 1(5), 18(2)(c), 21
S. 43B(c), (d) ins. 37/2015, ss. 1(5), 18(2)(d), 21
S. 43D am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 43D (3) applied S.I. No. 74 of 2007, regs. 2, 11
S. 43E am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 43E , saving for. 42/2000, ss. 1(4)(a) (5), 23(c)
S. 43F am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 43FF am. 12/2003, ss. 1(2), 35(1), sch. 1 pt. 8
Pt. 4 (ss. 44-57) rep. 42/2000, ss. 1(4)(a) (b) (5), 8
Pt. 4 appl. 46/1998, s.2
Pt. 4, power by reg. to provide for cert. matters in respect of requirements to be bonded under pt. 4 of Insurance Act, 1987. 11/1995, ss. 1 (2), 51(5)(e)
S. 44 (3), subsec. ins. 37/1998, ss. 1 (2), 49
S. 46 (1) (b), par. substit. 37/1998, ss. 1 (2), 50
S. 47, rep. (in pt.). 37/1998, ss. 1 (2), 7, sch. 1
S. 47 (1) (2) (a) (b) (3) appl. S.I. No. 191 of 1990, regs. 1, 3(3)
S. 47(1), (2)(a), (2)(b), (3) applied S.I. No. 191 of 1990, regs. 1, 3(3)
S. 49 (1) (aa), par. ins. 37/1998, ss. 1 (2), 51
S. 58 am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 58 (3) am. 21/2004, ss. 1 (2), 33, sch. 3 pt. 6 par. 7 (a)
S. 58 (4) del. 21/2004, ss. 1 (2), 33, sch. 3 pt. 6 par. 7 (b)
S. 58 (6) (7), subsecs. substit. 21/2004, ss. 1 (2), 10 (2), sch. 1 pt. 2 par. 3
S. 59 repealed with saver 40/2012, ss. 2(1), 70, sch. 2 pt. 1 item 2
S. 59, s. 42/2000, ss. 1 (4) (a) (5), 9
S. 59, s. with transit. provns. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8, 36, sch. 3 par. 12
S. 59, ctnc. of authorised officers. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 36, sch. 3 par. 12
S. 59(1) am. 23/2010, ss. 2, 15(10), sch. 2 pt. 10 item 1
S. 59(4) ins. 23/2010, ss. 2, 15(10), sch. 2 pt. 10 item 2
S. 60 repealed with saver 40/2012, ss. 2(1), 70, sch. 2 pt. 1 item 2
S. 60, s. 42/2000, ss. 1 (4) (a) (5), 10
S. 60 (1) (c) am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 60 (7) am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 61 am. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
S. 62, s. 12/2003, ss. 1 (2), 35 (1), sch. 1 pt. 8
Sch. 2, sch. substit 42/2000, ss. 1 (4) (a) (5), 11, sch. 1
Sch. 3, new sch. ins. 42/2000, ss. 1 (4) (a) (5), 12, sch. 2

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 5 Insurance Act 1989 (Reinsurance) (Form of Notice) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 473 of 2000)
  Insurance Act 1989 (Reinsurance) (Form of Notification) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 437 of 1999)
  Insurance Act 1989 (Section 49(3)) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 465 of 1997)
  Insurance (Bonding of Intermediaries) Regulations 1990 (S.I. No. 191 of 1990)
S. 6 Insurance (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 126 of 2000)
S. 7 Insurance (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 126 of 2000)
  Insurance (Fees) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 128 of 1995)
  Insurance (Fees) Order 1990 (S.I. No. 149 of 1990)
S. 22 Insurance Act 1989 (Reinsurance) (Form of Notification) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 437 of 1999)
S. 22(1) Insurance Act 1989 (Reinsurance) (Form of Notice) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 473 of 2000)
S. 22A(10) Insurance Act 1989 (Regulation of Reinsurance) (Commencement) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 520 of 2008)
S. 43B Life Assurance (Provision of Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 161 of 2002)
  Life Assurance (Provision of Information) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 15 of 2001)
S. 43D Non-Life Insurance (Provision of Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 436 of 2021)
  Non-Life Insurance (Provision of Information) (Renewal of Policy of Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 577 of 2018)
  Life Assurance (Provision of Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 392 of 2017)
  Non-Life Insurance (Provision of Information) (Renewal of Policy of Insurance) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 74 of 2007)
  Motor Insurance (Provision of Information) (Renewal of Policy of Insurance) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 389 of 2002)
  Life Assurance (Provision of Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 161 of 2002)
  Life Assurance (Provision of Information) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 15 of 2001)
S. 43E Life Assurance (Provision of Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 392 of 2017)
  Life Assurance (Provision of Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 161 of 2002)
  Life Assurance (Provision of Information) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 15 of 2001)
S. 43F Non-Life Insurance (Provision of Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 436 of 2021)
  Non-Life Insurance (Provision of Information) (Renewal of Policy of Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 577 of 2018)
  Non-Life Insurance (Provision of Information) (Renewal of Policy of Insurance) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 74 of 2007)
  Motor Insurance (Provision of Information) (Renewal of Policy of Insurance) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 389 of 2002)
S. 47 Insurance (Bonding of Intermediaries) Regulations 1990 (S.I. No. 191 of 1990)
S. 49 Insurance Act 1989 (Section 49(3)) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 465 of 1997)