Home Insurance in Ireland: Contents and Buildings Guide

Home insurance isn't legally required in Ireland the way car insurance is, but if you have a mortgage your lender will require buildings insurance, and it's strongly recommended for renters and homeowners alike. Here's what it costs, what it covers, and how to find the best deal.

What is the difference between buildings and contents insurance?

Buildings insurance covers the physical structure of your home — walls, roof, windows, and fixed fittings like kitchens and bathrooms — against damage from fire, storms, flooding, and similar events, and covers the cost of rebuilding if the property is destroyed. Contents insurance covers your belongings inside the home — furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances — against theft, fire, and accidental damage, depending on your policy level. If you own your home, you'll typically need both. If you're renting, your landlord is generally responsible for buildings insurance, but contents insurance for your own possessions is worth considering, since it's rarely included automatically in a rental agreement.

How much does home insurance cost in Ireland?

As of 2025, the average home insurance premium in Ireland is broadly in the region of €430 a year, though this varies significantly by location, property type, age, and level of cover. In Dublin and surrounding commuter counties, premiums often run higher, commonly between €455 and €865 a year, reflecting higher property values and rebuild costs. Rural properties, older homes, or those with a history of flooding or subsidence can also see higher premiums, while newer, well-secured homes (with alarms, monitored security, and modern wiring) often qualify for lower rates. Overall, expect a realistic range of roughly €160 on the low end up to €700+ for higher-value or higher-risk properties.

What factors affect your premium?

Insurers price home policies based on several factors: the rebuild cost of your property (not its market sale price — these can differ significantly), your location and local flood/crime risk, the age and construction type of the building, the value of contents you want covered, your claims history, and security features like alarms and locks. If you're a newcomer without an Irish insurance or claims history, you may not qualify for the full "no claims discount" that long-term residents build up over years, which can mean a somewhat higher first-year premium — it's worth asking insurers directly whether they'll recognise a no-claims history from your home country.

How do you find the best deal?

Comparison sites such as Bonkers.ie and Chill.ie let you compare quotes from multiple insurers at once, which is generally the fastest way to see the range of pricing for your specific property. It's worth getting quotes from at least three to four providers, since pricing can vary substantially for the same property and cover level between insurers. Also check whether your bank offers a home insurance discount if you hold your mortgage or current account with them, and review your policy every year at renewal rather than automatically accepting a renewal quote, since loyalty is rarely rewarded with the best price in the Irish insurance market — switching can often save a meaningful amount.

What should you check before buying a policy?

Before choosing a policy, check: the rebuild cost calculation (the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland offers a free online rebuild cost calculator, useful for making sure you're neither over- nor under-insured), the excess (the amount you pay toward any claim), whether accidental damage is included or an optional extra, single-item limits on contents cover (jewellery, electronics and bicycles often have caps unless specifically listed), and whether cover includes "away from home" protection for belongings like laptops or phones you carry outside the house. Under-insuring your rebuild cost is a common and costly mistake, since insurers can reduce a payout proportionally if your declared rebuild value turns out to be too low.

Frequently Asked Questions