Types of car insurance in Ireland
There are three main types of car insurance in Ireland: third party, third party fire and theft, and comprehensive. Here’s what each one covers and how to choose the right protection for your car and budget.
At a glance Car insurance cover
Third Party Only
Covers injury or damage you cause to other people, but not loss of or damage to your own car. It’s the minimum legal requirement.
Third Party, Fire & Theft
Includes third-party cover and protects your car if it’s stolen or damaged by fire. Accidental damage to your own car isn’t covered.
Comprehensive
Includes third-party, fire and theft cover, plus accidental damage to your own car, even if an accident is your fault.
There are three main types of car insurance, and each one gives you a different level of protection. More cover can cost more, but comprehensive insurance isn’t always the most expensive, so it’s worth comparing all three.
What is third-party car insurance?
Third-party cover is the minimum level of car insurance you need to drive legally on Ireland’s roads.
If you cause an accident, it covers injury to other people, including your passengers, and damage to their vehicles or property.
What’s covered
What’s not covered
Is third-party insurance enough?
Third-party insurance could be enough if you have an older, lower-value car and could afford to repair or replace it yourself.
Just remember that it won’t cover your car if it’s damaged, stolen or destroyed by fire. It isn’t always the cheapest option either, so compare all three levels before choosing.
What is third-party, fire and theft insurance?
Third-party, fire and theft includes everything covered by third-party insurance, with added protection if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.
What’s covered
What’s not covered
Is third-party, fire and theft right for you?
If you want cover in case your car is stolen or damaged by fire, but could afford to repair or replace it after an accident, this could be a good middle ground.
It won’t always be cheaper than comprehensive insurance, though, so compare both before deciding.
What is comprehensive car insurance?
Comprehensive car insurance offers the broadest of the three main levels of cover.
As well as covering injury or damage caused to other people, it normally protects your car against fire, theft, vandalism and accidental damage.
If you cause an accident, you can usually claim for damage to your own car, subject to the policy terms and excess.
Despite offering wider protection, comprehensive insurance isn’t always the most expensive option, so compare all three levels of cover before choosing.
What’s covered
What’s not always included
Is comprehensive insurance always more expensive?
No, comprehensive insurance gives you more protection, but it can sometimes cost the same as, or less than, third-party cover.
Compare all three levels using the same driver and car details, rather than assuming less cover will mean a lower price.
Is comprehensive insurance worth it?
If you have a brand-new or valuable car, drive it every day or rely on it for work, comprehensive insurance could give you extra peace of mind. Just make sure your policy covers commuting or business use if you need it.
If your car is older and worth less, and you could afford to repair or replace it yourself, third-party or third-party, fire and theft cover may give you enough protection.
Think about what you would have to pay yourself after an accident, theft or fire, then compare the price, excess and benefits of each option.
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Optional extra cover benefits
Some extra benefits come as standard with a comprehensive policy, but you’ll have to pay more for others, so it’s worth comparing details before choosing a policy.
The cost of benefits also varies between insurers, so always shop around to get quotes from different insurers before buying.
The sort of extra benefits on offer are:
- Replacement car
- Replacement locks or key rescue
- Breakdown rescue cover
- Windscreen cover
- European travel
- Excess free claims
- Legal expenses cover
- Protected no claims discount
What else affects your quote price?
The type of cover you choose is only one part of the price. Insurers will also consider:
- your age and driving experience
- your car, mileage and how you use it
- where you live and keep the car
- your claims history, penalty points and no-claims bonus
Find out more about the factors that affect your car insurance quote.
Should you buy the cheapest cover?
We rely on our cars for life’s essentials like getting to work, shopping and taking children to school, so before you buy, consider:
- your lifestyle, driving habits and risk of theft
- the value of your car and whether you could afford to replace it
- any cover required by your finance agreement
- the excess, exclusions, extras and price
Choose the level of insurance that meets your needs within a budget you can afford.
Other types of car insurance in Ireland
These aren’t separate levels of cover. They’re policies or features designed for particular drivers, cars or circumstances.
EV insurance
Electric cars use the same three main levels of cover, but some policies may also protect the battery, charging cable or home charger and provide help if you run out of charge.
Check exactly what’s included, as EV benefits and limits vary between insurers.
Learner-driver insurance
If you take lessons in an instructor’s car, you’ll normally be covered by their insurance. To practise in somebody else’s car, you’ll need to be added as a named driver, while a car of your own will need insurance in your name.
Find out more in our learner-driver insurance guide.
Young-driver insurance
Young drivers can choose from the same three levels of cover, although age and driving experience can make insurance more expensive.
Our young-driver insurance guide explains how prices are worked out and how to cut costs.
Black-box insurance
Black-box insurance uses a device or app to monitor how and when you drive.
Safe driving could earn you a discount, but savings aren’t guaranteed. Check the mileage limits, driving rules and possible charges before signing up.
Classic-car insurance
Classic-car insurance is designed for older or collectible vehicles, often with limited mileage and agreed-value options.
Eligibility, age limits and permitted use vary, so check that the policy suits your car and how you drive it.
Multi-car insurance
Multi-car insurance lets a household insure or link several cars with the same insurer.
You may get a discount, but it won’t always be cheaper. Compare the total multi-car price with separate quotes for each vehicle.
Temporary car insurance
Standalone short-term personal car insurance isn’t widely available in Ireland, but you may be able to arrange temporary cover through an existing annual policy.
For example, you could be added to somebody else’s policy as a named driver or temporarily transfer your own cover to another car. Read our complete guide to car insurance for more options.
Check out our complete guide to car insurance for everything you need to know about covering your vehicle.
Tips for choosing the right level of cover
Before you buy car insurance, think about your needs, weigh up the pros and cons of each type and decide how much you can afford.
If you’re still not sure which insurance to buy, consider these questions:
Car insurance types FAQs
Does comprehensive cover include flood damage?
Comprehensive insurance may cover flood or water damage, but it depends on the policy and how the damage happened.
Check your policy before claiming. Your insurer may refuse or reduce a claim if you knowingly drive into deep floodwater or fail to take reasonable care of the car.
Does comprehensive insurance cover passengers for personal injury?
Passengers injured in an accident are normally covered as third parties, whether the car has third-party or comprehensive insurance.
Personal accident cover for you as the driver is separate and may be included as standard, offered as an extra or unavailable.
Can you drive another car with comprehensive insurance?
Only if your certificate of insurance specifically includes driving-other-cars cover. It isn’t automatically included with every comprehensive policy.
This cover is usually third party only and may have age, ownership and vehicle restrictions, so check before driving another car.
What is a no-claims bonus?
A no-claims bonus is a discount you may earn for each year you hold insurance in your own name without making a claim.
The discount, maximum number of years and effect of a claim vary between insurers, so there is no standard percentage table.
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