Combined Insurance Ireland

Combined home insurance covers both the structure of your property and the belongings inside it under one policy.

It is the most common choice for homeowners in Ireland because it keeps everything with one insurer and can make the claims process more straightforward, should you ever need to claim on your policy.

Repairing the structure of a home and replacing everything inside it would be a major expense. Therefore, many homeowners purchase combined building and contents cover to protect both.

What Is Combined Home Insurance?

A combined policy includes two types of cover but they do not protect the same things.

The building cover protects the physical structure – walls, roof, windows, doors and permanent fixtures such as a fitted kitchen and bathroom fittings.

The contents cover protects your belongings in the home i.e. your furniture, clothes, electronics, and valuables such as jewellery and bicycles.

It is possible to purchase two separate policies to protect the buildings and contents of your home separately but, generally, cover for both is provided by a combined home insurance policy.

What Does Combined Cover Include?

A combined buildings and contents policy covers the cost of repairing or replacing your property (either your house or what is inside it) caused by insured events such as fire, storm, escape of water and theft.

A combined home insurance policy covers both structural damage or rebuilding of your property and loss or damage of your belongings inside the house.

What Does a Combined Policy Typically Include?

A typical combined policy will include common aspects of coverage; which normally would include structural damage (damage to the building itself); loss or damage to your contents; personal liability and costs of alternative accommodation if your home can’t be lived in because of an insured event.

Some providers may also offer additional cover; such as home emergency service or legal expense insurance. What’s included – and the limits – usually vary between insurers. Take your time and review and compare the policy in detail.

Why Should You Combine Contents And Buildings Insurance?

It is usually significantly cheaper to combine both forms of cover in one package, and you will also benefit if you have a no claims discount.

It is easier to manage one policy as there is less room for confusion about which things are covered on which policy. 

For example, flooring can be contentious when it comes to claims as some insurers consider flooring part of the building and some deem it to be a home content. If your floors are damaged in a water leak, for example, all of the damage will be protected by one policy.

The claims process is simplified when you combine both types of cover and if your home is damaged in an insured event, such as a fire or break in, you will not face paying two excesses for two policies, increasing your out of pocket expenses at a stressful time.

Cost Of Combining Buildings And Contents Insurance

In Ireland in 2026, the average cost for a combined home insurance policy is approx. €430 to €550 per year, although there are considerable variations depending on your home and its location.

If you were to purchase two separate policies, you would be likely to pay 15% to 20% more in total.

Insurers will also offer a no claims bonus or discount if you are claims free on a previous home insurance policy.

Insurance companies favour ‘bundling’ policies, which is reflected in the lower price for a combined policy, but you can also get a further multi policy discount if you ‘bundle’ a car and home policy or home and holiday home policy, for example.

How Much Home Insurance Do I Need?

Underinsurance occurs when the sum insured in the policy is not enough to cover damage to your home or the value of its contents. 

With cost of living increases and high costs of labour and materials in 2026, it is really important to ensure that the sum insured reflects the true costs involved.

The buildings cover in your policy is based on the rebuild cost of repairing or rebuilding your home’s structure after an insured event. This is different to the market value of your home and will depend on the size and construction of your home.

The contents cover in a combined home insurance policy should be sufficient to replace your home’s contents if they were lost or destroyed. 

Some insurers set contents cover as a percentage of buildings cover by default. It’s worth reviewing this to make sure it reflects the true value of your belongings.

Combine Buildings And Contents Insurance FAQ

It may make sense, but also depends on cancellation terms and timing, so it’s important to have new cover in place before you cancel your old policies and also beware cancellation charges that you may face if you switch before your annual renewal.

If you have not made a claim and you have paid for a full year of insurance, you may be entitled to a pro rata refund from your old insurer.

You could save 15% to 20% of the cost of two separate policies, and you will also save in the event of a claim as you will not have to pay two excess charges out of pocket.

If you are a homeowner, even if you have fully repaid your mortgage and won your property outright, you should still have combined home insurance in place to protect you.

If you are a tenant, you will not need combined home insurance as your landlord is legally responsible for insuring the building in which you live.

If you own an apartment, the ‘buildings cover’ element of your apartment may be included in a management insurance policy that you contribute to through an annual maintenance or management fee, but ensure this is the case before you assume you are protected.

No. If you are a homeowner and you have purchased your home with a mortgage, your lender is legally obliged to ensure that you have buildings cover in place to protect their investment.

There is no legal obligation to have contents insurance but it is highly recommended as your belongings have a high monetary value and would be costly to replace.

If your home is unoccupied for any reason, such as an extended holiday or an elderly resident staying in a nursing home, then you would need to inform your insurer and possibly arrange specialised unoccupied home insurance.

Yes, on several counts. Major renovations or structural changes should be disclosed to your insurer, as additional cover may be required.

Yes, all policies contain exclusions, including wear and tear and gradual damage related to the property such as its age and structures. Certain policies may not suit period or off-standard homes, e.g. timber framed homes.

Always check your policy documents to understand what is and isn’t covered.