Home Insurance

Home insurance cover for homeowners in Ireland

Your home is one of your most valuable assets, which is why having suitable home insurance cover is so important. From storm damage and fire to theft and accidental damage, unexpected incidents can happen when you least expect them.

Home insurance is designed to help protect both your property's structure and the possessions inside it. Depending on your needs, you may choose buildings insurance, contents insurance, or a combined buildings and contents policy that provides broader protection.

At Howden Insurance Ireland, we can help you compare options and arrange house insurance cover that suits your circumstances, whether you own a house, bungalow, apartment or investment property.

Subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits, home insurance can provide cover for a range of insured events. Before purchasing a policy, customers should review the policy documentation carefully, including key exclusions, conditions, excesses and limits of cover.

Benefits of working with Howden:

• We're committed to helping customers arrange suitable insurance cover efficiently.

• Personalised guidance backed by local expertise

• Chat to your local broker, within your community

• Insurance cover tailored to your needs

• We're there for you when something goes wrong

What does home insurance cover?

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: what does home insurance cover? While cover varies between insurers, most policies are designed to provide protection against a range of unexpected risks that could otherwise result in significant financial costs. A typical home insurance policy may include protection for:

• Fire and smoke damage

• Storm damage

• Flooding

• Escape of water

• Theft and attempted theft

• Vandalism

• Falling trees and branches

• Subsidence where specified

• Accidental damage options

• Alternative accommodation following a major claim

The level of home insurance cover available will depend on the policy selected and whether you choose buildings insurance, contents insurance or both.

Understanding buildings and contents insurance

Many homeowners choose combined buildings and contents insurance because it provides protection for both the structure of the property and its contents. Understanding the difference between the two can help you make informed decisions when arranging cover.

Buildings insurance

Buildings insurance protects the physical structure of your home. This typically includes:

• Walls

• Roof

• Floor

• Ceilings

• Doors and windows

• Garages

• Outbuildings where specified

• Permanent fixtures

• Fitted kitchens

• Bathroom suites

In simple terms, buildings insurance protects the parts of your home that would normally remain in place if you turned the property upside down.

Contents insurance

Contents insurance protects the possessions you own and keep within the home. Examples include:

• Furniture

• Clothing

• Televisions

• Laptops

• Kitchen appliances

• Soft furnishings

• Jewellery

• Personal belongings

If you moved house, the items you would take with you are generally considered contents.

Buildings and contents cover

Many homeowners choose combined buildings and contents cover because it offers broader protection under one policy. This can simplify policy management and help ensure both your property and possessions are protected against covered risks.

Understanding rebuild cost and market value

A common mistake made by homeowners is confusing rebuild cost with market value. The market value of a property reflects the amount it may sell for on the open market. This figure can be influenced by factors such as location, local amenities and property demand.

On the other hand, the rebuild cost reflects the estimated cost of rebuilding the property from scratch if it were completely destroyed. When arranging buildings insurance, the rebuild cost is often the more important figure because it helps determine the amount of cover required. Underestimating rebuild costs could result in underinsurance, while significantly overestimating them may mean paying more than necessary.

Do I need to have home insurance?

A commonly asked question is: do I need to have home insurance? There is generally no legal requirement for homeowners in Ireland to have home insurance. However, mortgage lenders often require buildings insurance as a condition of lending. Even where insurance is not mandatory, many homeowners choose to arrange cover because of the potential costs associated with:

• Fire damage

• Flood damage

• Theft

• Storm damage

• Property damage

• Liability claims

Without insurance, these costs would generally need to be paid personally. For most homeowners, the peace of mind provided by insurance outweighs the potential financial risks of going without cover.

What affects the cost of home insurance?

Several factors can influence the cost of your home insurance premium. Insurers commonly consider:

• Property location

• Property type

• Rebuild cost

• Security measures

• Claims history

• Property age

• Occupancy status

• Cover limits selected

• Optional extras added

The level of cover required will also affect the premium payable. While some policies may be subject to a minimum premium, the overall cost will usually reflect the specific risks associated with the property being insured.

7 ways to help reduce your home insurance premium

While insurers use their own underwriting criteria, there are several practical steps homeowners can take that may help reduce costs. Consider:

1. Installing approved alarms

2. Improving door and window security

3. Maintaining your property regularly

4. Reviewing cover annually

5. Updating rebuild cost assessments

6. Avoiding underinsurance

7. Combining buildings and contents insurance where suitable

Good property maintenance can help reduce risks while also protecting the long-term condition of your home. It’s important to note though, these actions may be considered positively by some insurers, although premium reductions cannot be guaranteed.

How to get a home insurance quote

Whether you're purchasing a new property, moving home or reviewing existing arrangements, having suitable insurance in place can help protect what matters most.

At Howden Insurance Ireland, we can help you compare available home insurance options and explore policies that may meet your requirements. Speak to our team today to discuss your requirements and find home insurance cover that suits your needs.

We provide cover for the following home insurance types:

• Unoccupied properties

• Holiday homes

• Non-standard properties

• High value homes

• Listed buildings/Period homes

• Multiple properties

• Owner-occupied

• Landlord properties

• Contents only for rented properties

• Homes with small offices attached

• Duplex apartments

All home insurance benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.

Note: This is a marketing article from Howden. The information in this guide is accurate at time of publication. This content is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. If you have any questions about making a claim or want to understand how home insurance could work better for you, call us on 0818 024 106 and we'll be happy to help.