Getting a car insurance quote in Ireland can be time-consuming, with various providers offering a range of standard motor insurance policies and optional add-ons.

But it doesn’t have to be complicated. Compare Insurance is here to provide you with the best car insurance quotes in seconds, so that you get the best deal available with zero stress.

What Factors Affect the Price of Car Insurance?

Your age and driving experience will affect how much you pay for car insurance in Ireland. This is all because of risk; motor insurance providers make a judgement call on how likely it is that you will make a claim. Simply put – the higher the risk, the higher the premium. And because younger and less experienced drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident, they usually pay more for insurance.

Your claims record and driving history will be considered by your insurance company when assessing risk. If you have made a claim for compensation in the past, this suggests to insurers that you may claim again in the future. Accidents where you were at fault, driving convictions and penalty points will also be taken into consideration when calculating risk and ultimately the price of your premium.

Where you live will influence the cost of insurance because some areas are more prone to theft and accidents than others. Typically, drivers in urban areas such as Dublin and Cork city pay more for motor cover than those in more rural areas.

This can affect the quote you receive because not all cars carry equal risk. More modern and larger cars are generally safer than older, smaller vehicles. Newer models  also typically have better safety features such as alarms and passengers are less likely to be seriously injured. Modified cars and classic cars may require special insurance.

The distance you drive each year is another significant factor that insurers will look at when calculating your insurance premium. Simply put, drivers who clock up more miles on the road are more likely to experience something going wrong or being involved in an accident, raising the cost of your premium. Special cover is available for motorists who need to drive for business purposes.

Making a claim not only affects how insurers see your risk profile, it may also mean that you lose some or all of your No Claims Bonus, which is a discount which builds up over time to reward those who have not made a claim, which benefits insurers, discourages fraud, and promotes safer driving.

The level of cover (i.e. Third Party Only; Third Party, Fire and Theft; or Comprehensive) is another thing that will affect cost. Third Party Only, which only covers other road users, is cheaper than Fully Comprehensive insurance which covers you in more situations. Adding optional extras also increases the amount you pay for insurance. 

This is the amount that you pay if you make a claim. Higher excesses will lower your insurance premium as it means that insurance providers will have to pay out less if you decide to claim.

Car Insurance Providers in Ireland

AXA - Home Insurance
aviva
Allianz - Home Insurance
FBD - Home Insurance
AIG - Home Insurance

 (BoxClever)

(formerly Liberty Insurance)

123 insurance provider

Main Benefits of Car Insurance

There are many benefits of having a car insurance policy in Ireland, including:

  • Legal reasons – You’re legally required to have insurance to drive on Irish roads and you could be prosecuted if you’re found to be driving without it.

  • Financial protection – If you’re involved in an accident, you have peace of mind that you won’t have to break the bank for repair costs or medical expenses

  • Fire and Theft – Depending on the level of cover you choose, you can be protected for fire damage and if your vehicle is stolen.

  • Access to specific extras – If you have very specific needs, there are dozens of additional features that can be added to your insurance premium, such as travel cover.

Comprehensive Cover

Comprehensive cover, sometimes called fully comprehensive car insurance, will cover damage to your vehicle or another driver’s, fire, theft, and injuries to your person or third parties.

Third Party, Fire & Theft

This is the middle ground between comprehensive and Third Party Only. As well as covering damage and injuries to other road users, it also protects your vehicle against fire damage or theft.

Third Party Only

Third Party Only (TPO) cover is the minimum that you need to drive on Irish roads under the Road Traffic Act. This only protects other road users in the event of an accident where you are at fault for damage to their vehicle or injuries.

Additional Features

As well as choosing your level of cover when getting a quote for car insurance, you will also have to decide if you want to include anything specific in your policy. These features can increase your cover, but may come in handy if a problem arises. Among the most popular forms of additional insurance cover are:

With roadside or breakdown assistance, you will rest assured that if you break down while on the road, you will be financially compensated for any charges that you face as a result.

This is sometimes included in comprehensive insurance. This will provide you with a temporary car which you can drive while your vehicle is being repaired.

Windscreen repair is among the most common claims in Ireland, with windshield chips and cracks being commonplace. 

This covers you for medical expenses if you experience an accident and suffer injuries.

Other drivers can be added to your insurance policy, which can be cheaper than insuring two drivers separately and is necessary if two drivers use the same vehicle.

If you don’t want to lose your No Claims Bonus, this can protect your discount even if you decide to make a claim.

Why Compare Car Insurance Quotes?

Comparing car insurance quotes can save you a significant amount of money each year. With many insurers offering similar policies at different prices, it’s crucial that you aren’t paying over the odds for motor insurance cover. 

Finding competitive premiums is easier than ever, and you can also adjust your cover levels and compare excess amounts to find a quote that suits your financial situation. 

As well as this, adding optional extras increases the amount you pay for your insurance premium, but each provider charges slightly different amounts. Adding and subtracting these additional features is also recommended to ensure you receive the best value.

Finally, you should compare insurance quotes based on the amount of excess that you want to include. Increasing your excess can lower the cost of car insurance, but make sure that this doesn’t potentially put you in financial difficulty if you have to make a claim. Ensure you can afford the excess when comparing quotes.

Get a Car Insurance Quote Today

Getting a car insurance quote is easier than ever with Compare Insurance. We compare all of the options available to you and list the best value options based on your specific requirements. 

Every car insurance quote that we list is from a regulated insurance provider in Ireland, so you can rest easy that you’ll be fully protected if something goes wrong on the road.