Compare Car Insurance in Ireland

Compare the top car insurance providers in Ireland — see cover, features and typical rates side by side.

Live offers

19 live offers compared from 17 providers, from €280 /year. Updated daily.

Carol Nash Motorbike IE Carol Nash Ireland

€280 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: From €280/year
No-Claims Discount: Up to 70%
Key Feature: Dedicated bike insurer

Alive Car Insurance Alive Insurance

€310 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: €310/yr
No-Claims Discount: 50% after 5 yrs
Key Feature: Cashback loyalty

FBD Car Insurance FBD Insurance

€320 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: €320/yr
No-Claims Discount: 50% after 5 yrs
Key Feature: Farm + car bundle

Cornmarket Car Cornmarket

€330 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: €330/yr
No-Claims Discount: 50% after 5 yrs
Key Feature: Public sector rates

GAN Direct Car GAN Direct

€340 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: €340/yr
No-Claims Discount: 50% after 5 yrs
Key Feature: Online only discount

Chill Car Insurance Chill Insurance

€350 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: €350/yr
No-Claims Discount: 50% after 5 yrs
Key Feature: Panel of 14 insurers

Arachas Car Broker Arachas

€350 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: €350/yr
No-Claims Discount: 50% after 5 yrs
Key Feature: Broker panel compare

AXA Car Insurance IE AXA

€350 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: From €350/yr
No-Claims Discount: Up to 50% NCD
Key Feature: AXA — competitive pricing; 24/7 roadside recovery

Chill Motorbike Insurance IE Chill Insurance

€350 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: From €350/year
No-Claims Discount: Up to 65%
Key Feature: Motorbike specialist broker

Intact Car Insurance Intact Insurance

€360 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: €360/yr
No-Claims Discount: 50% after 5 yrs
Key Feature: Telematics option

Zurich Car Insurance Zurich Car Insurance

€370 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: €370/yr
No-Claims Discount: 50% after 5 yrs
Key Feature: Agreed value option

RSA Car Insurance RSA Insurance

€380 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: €380/yr
No-Claims Discount: 50% after 5 yrs
Key Feature: Protected NCD

Aviva Car Insurance IE Aviva

€380 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: From €380/yr
No-Claims Discount: Up to 50% NCD
Key Feature: Aviva — Irish brand; free RAC breakdown cover add-on

AA Car Insurance IE AA Ireland

€390 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: From €390/yr
No-Claims Discount: Up to 50% NCD
Key Feature: AA — Ireland's leading motoring brand; breakdown included

Allianz Car Insurance IE Allianz

€400 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: From €400/yr
No-Claims Discount: Up to 50% NCD
Key Feature: Allianz — courtesy car included; Allianz global backing

Chill Van Insurance Chill Insurance

€420 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: €420/yr
No-Claims Discount: 50% after 5 yrs
Key Feature: Panel of 10 insurers

Liberty Car Insurance IE Liberty Insurance

€420 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: From €420/yr
No-Claims Discount: Up to 50% NCD
Key Feature: Liberty Mutual group; 24/7 claims line

123.ie Car Insurance 123.ie

€420 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: From €420/year
No-Claims Discount: Up to 60%
Key Feature: Online discount available

AIG Car Insurance IE AIG

€450 /year

Cover Type: Comprehensive
From Annual: From €450/year
No-Claims Discount: Up to 65%
Key Feature: Quick claims settlement

What is car insurance in Ireland?

Car insurance is a legal requirement to drive on Irish roads, with third-party cover the minimum standard. Third-party only covers injury and damage you cause to others; third-party, fire and theft adds cover for your car being stolen or burnt; and comprehensive also covers damage to your own vehicle. Insurers price on driver risk, vehicle, claims history and where you live, and no-claims discounts reward safe driving.

How the Irish market works

Motor cover is sold directly by insurers and through brokers such as Chill, Cornmarket and Arachas that compare several underwriters. Insurers active in Ireland include RSA, Intact, Zurich, FBD, Liberty and GAN Direct. The Personal Injuries Guidelines set award levels for claims, the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland compensates victims of uninsured drivers, and Insurance Ireland runs a declined-cases process for drivers who struggle to obtain cover.

Benefits

Legal compliance — valid cover meets the mandatory requirement to drive in Ireland.

No-claims discount — years without a claim earn substantial premium reductions.

Comprehensive protection — covers damage to your own car as well as third parties.

Optional extras — breakdown assistance, windscreen and courtesy-car cover can be added.

How to choose

Decide the cover level you need, as comprehensive is not always dearer than third-party for many drivers. Compare quotes across brokers and direct insurers, check the excess and any young-driver or named-driver loadings, and protect your no-claims discount if offered. Provide accurate mileage and usage, consider telematics for younger drivers, and review add-ons like breakdown cover against buying them separately.

Leading providers in Ireland

RSA, Intact, Zurich, FBD, Liberty and GAN Direct are among the main motor underwriters, while Chill, Cornmarket and Arachas broker across multiple insurers. FBD has a strong presence with rural and farming customers. Because pricing varies sharply by driver profile and vehicle, comparing several insurers and brokers is the most reliable way to find the best premium.

What it costs

Annual premiums commonly range from around €280 to €450 or more, depending on the driver's age and experience, vehicle, location, claims history and cover level. Young and newly licensed drivers pay significantly more, while a long no-claims record and a modest car reduce the premium. Paying annually rather than by monthly instalments usually lowers the total cost.

Protections and regulation

The Central Bank of Ireland regulates motor insurers and brokers under the Consumer Protection Code. The Personal Injuries Guidelines and the Injuries Resolution Board shape claims and awards, the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland compensates victims of uninsured or untraced drivers, and Insurance Ireland operates a declined-cases agreement. The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman handles unresolved complaints.

Common questions

Is comprehensive more expensive? — Not always; for many drivers comprehensive is similar to or cheaper than third-party cover.

What if I cannot get insured? — Insurance Ireland's declined-cases process helps drivers who have been refused by several insurers.

How is my premium set? — By your age, experience, vehicle, address, claims record, cover level and no-claims discount.

The cheapest Car Insurance in Ireland is €280 /year from Carol Nash Ireland.

Car Insurance in Ireland — FAQ

What is the cheapest car insurance in Ireland?

Giraffy tracks 5 car insurance products across Carol Nash Ireland,Alive Insurance,FBD Insurance,Cornmarket,GAN Direct insurers in Ireland. The lowest tracked price is €280 /year. Your individual premium depends on your vehicle, driving history, and location — comparing quotes regularly is the most effective way to cut costs.

What is the difference between third-party and comprehensive car insurance?

Third-party cover is the minimum legal requirement in most markets — it pays for damage you cause to other vehicles and people but not your own car. Comprehensive cover includes damage to your own vehicle regardless of fault — and is often only marginally more expensive than third-party cover.

What factors affect my car insurance premium?

Key factors include: age and driving experience, claims history and no-claims bonus, vehicle make, model, and engine size, annual mileage, where you park overnight, postcode, and whether you add named drivers. Younger drivers typically pay more due to statistically higher accident rates.

What is an excess and how does it affect my premium?

The excess is the amount you contribute towards a claim before the insurer pays the rest. There's usually a compulsory excess (set by the insurer) and a voluntary excess (you choose). Raising your voluntary excess lowers your premium — but make sure you could comfortably pay it if you needed to claim.

What is a no-claims bonus (NCB) and how does it work?

An NCB (or no-claims discount) rewards claim-free years with lower premiums — typically 10–15% discount per year, up to around 60–70% after 5+ years. You can protect your NCB with an add-on that allows 1–2 at-fault claims without losing your discount. Check if your NCB is transferable when switching insurers.

Does adding named or additional drivers affect my car insurance premium?

Adding an experienced driver with a clean record can sometimes reduce premiums. However, adding a young or inexperienced driver almost always increases costs. 'Fronting' — where a parent is listed as the main driver to reduce a young driver's premium — is illegal and can void a policy.

Can I get car insurance as a temporary or short-term policy?

Yes — temporary car insurance is available from specialist providers for short periods. It's useful for driving a car you don't own, sharing driving on a long trip, or covering a car you're selling. These policies don't affect the main policy holder's no-claims bonus.