Get an online quote for your home insurance today with The AA
Powered by
Guide
Your complete guide to home insurance in Ireland
Whether your want to protect your home or the belongings within it, here’s how to save euros on your home insurance cover.
- Part 1 How home insurance works
- Part 2 Types of home insurance
- Part 3 Home insurance costs
- Part 4 How to get cheaper cover
How to compare home insurance quotes
Compare more than just price. Check the cover, excess, exclusions and total yearly cost before choosing a policy.
Choose the right cover
Decide whether you need buildings insurance, contents insurance, or both. If you rent, you may only need cover for your belongings.
Check your sums insured
Your buildings sum insured should reflect the cost of rebuilding your home, not its market value. Your contents cover should reflect the value of replacing your belongings.
Compare the excess
A higher excess may reduce your premium, but you’ll pay more yourself if you need to make a claim. Choose an amount you could realistically afford.
Review limits and exclusions
Check what’s included as standard and what costs extra, such as accidental damage, personal possessions cover, emergency accommodation or cover for high-value items.
Look at the total annual cost
Monthly payments can be convenient, but paying annually may reduce the total amount you pay over the year.
Which type of home insurance do you need?
The right home insurance depends on whether you own, rent, have a mortgage, or need cover for a second property.
Contents insurance
Protects your belongings within your home. For example the furniture, valuables and furnishings.
Buildings insurance
Cover for the property itself, including the main building, your roof, windows and other permanent fixtures and fittings.
Tenants insurance
Designed for tenants who are renting a property, to protect their possessions from fire, theft or flood.
Holiday home insurance
Insurance for your holiday home. Opt for buildings only insurance, contents only insurance, or get cover for both.
How to get cheaper home insurance
Reduce your monthly bills by comparing rates and choosing the right insurance to protect your home.
Opt out of auto-renew
When your policy is up for renewal, don’t assume loyalty pays. You have the right to opt out of automatic renewal at any time, but you’ll need to cancel auto-renew at least 10 days before your renewal date.
Shop around for a better deal
The best way to save money on your home insurance is to shop around every year. Many insurers offer discounts to entice new customers, so compare quotes from different insurers to see how much you could save by switching.
Pick the right excess
Increasing your excess means you pay a lower monthly premium. If you reduce the excess, you’ll pay a higher sum each month. Be aware that if you increase your excess, you’ll need to contribute more when you make a claim.
Get a multi-policy discount
You could bag a multi policy discount when you buy two types of insurance from the same insurer. For example, if you already have car insurance, you could get up to 15% off the second policy.
Pay upfront
Paying a larger lump sum upfront as opposed to by direct debit each month can reduce the overall cost of your home insurance. You could save up to 15-20% each year.
Latest
Many homeowners unsure about challenging insurance claim decisions
20/04/2026: New research has found that many Irish home insurance customers find the claims process stressful, with some unsure about what to do if they are unhappy with their insurer’s decision.
The survey, carried out by Amárach for loss assessor OMC Claims, found that less than 60% of policyholders were happy with the outcome of their claim. More than half also said they did not feel confident enough to challenge their insurer’s decision.
Homeowners were among the least confident, with just 47% saying they felt assured enough to dispute a claim outcome. The research also found that business premises owners were more likely to challenge a decision, although many still found the process stressful.
The findings come as underinsurance remains a concern for Irish households. Aviva figures from 2024 suggested Irish homeowners could be underinsured by around €39 billion, largely due to rising rebuild costs.
Checking your home insurance policy regularly can help you avoid surprises if you ever need to claim. Make sure your buildings and contents cover is up to date, review any limits or exclusions, and contact your insurer if you’re unsure whether your policy still gives you the right level of protection.
What can affect your home insurance premium?
Your home insurance cost depends on your property, the cover you choose and your claims history.
Home insurance FAQs
Our home insurance FAQs cover getting quotes, comparing policies, choosing the right cover and finding better value home insurance in Ireland.
Can you switch home insurance before renewal?
You can usually switch home insurance before your renewal date, but you should check your current policy for cancellation fees or conditions.
If your policy is due to renew soon, compare quotes before accepting your renewal offer so you can see whether there’s a better value option available.
Should you choose buildings insurance, contents insurance or both?
If you own your home, you may want buildings and contents insurance. Buildings insurance protects the structure of your home, while contents insurance protects your belongings.
If you rent, you may only need contents or tenants insurance, as your landlord is usually responsible for insuring the building.
What details do you need to get a home insurance quote?
You’ll usually need details about your home, including the property type, age, location, rebuild cost, security features and claims history.
You may also need to estimate the value of your contents and declare any high-value items, such as jewellery, laptops or expensive electronics.
Is the cheapest home insurance always the best option?
Not always. A cheaper home insurance quote may have a higher excess, lower cover limits or fewer benefits.
Before choosing a policy, check what’s included, what’s excluded and how much you would need to pay yourself if you made a claim.
Why we partnered with the AA
Experts in the field
Offering car insurance for over 40 years, and roadside rescue for over 100 years.
Tried and trusted
Excellence rating in online reviews including Google and TrustPilot.
Exceptional value
Benefits at no extra cost, like Christmas & Wedding Gifts Cover and much more.
Exclusive perks
Online discounts, benefits and customer rewards as standard.