Key takeaway
As a renter, your landlord's insurance doesn't cover your belongings. Here's why you need contents insurance, what it covers, and what it typically costs.
Does your landlord's insurance cover you?
No. Your landlord typically has buildings insurance, which covers the physical structure of the property — the walls, roof, and fixtures. It does not cover your personal belongings: your laptop, clothes, furniture, TV, or any other possessions. If your apartment floods, is burgled, or catches fire, your landlord's insurance will pay for the building repairs but nothing for your stuff.
What home contents insurance covers
A standard contents policy for renters typically covers:
- Theft or attempted theft
- Fire and smoke damage
- Water damage (burst pipes, accidental flooding)
- Storm and flood damage
- Accidental damage (optional add-on with most policies)
- Personal liability (if you accidentally injure someone in your home)
What it typically costs
Contents insurance for a rented property in Ireland typically costs €150–€350 per year, depending on the value of your contents and the level of cover. This works out to €12–€30 per month — a small price for peace of mind. High-value items (jewellery, expensive electronics, bicycles) may need to be listed separately as "specified items" for full cover.
How to get cover
Use comparison sites like bonkers.ie or insuremyhouse.ie to compare quotes. When applying, you'll need to estimate the total replacement value of your contents — think about what it would cost to replace everything you own if you had to start from scratch. Most people underestimate this figure.
Tips
- Check if your contents policy includes "new for old" replacement — this pays the full cost of a new replacement, not just the depreciated value of your old item
- Ask about cover away from home — some policies cover phones and laptops when you take them out
- Annual payment is cheaper than monthly
General guidance only. Always verify with official sources — gov.ie, citizensinformation.ie, hse.ie.