Optional Covers & Benefits for Car Insurance
Extras That Match How You Drive*
Get QuoteWhat are Car Insurance extras?
Car Insurance extras, also called optional covers or add-ons, are additional benefits you can add to your car insurance policy for an extra cost. They give you additional protection beyond what is included as standard. It is not necessary to purchase any optional extras in order to purchase a car insurance policy. With An Post Insurance, optional extras include No Claims Discount Protection, Step-Back NCD Protection, Keycare cover, open driving, and personal accident cover. You can select the extras that suit your needs when getting a quote, subject to acceptance criteria and availability, and the cost is added to your premium.
Do I need extra cover on my Car Insurance?
It depends on your circumstances. Here is a quick guide to help you decide:
- No Claims Discount Protection: Worth considering if you have built up several years of no claims. A single claim without protection could reset your discount to zero, significantly increasing your premium at renewal. The cost of adding NCD Protection is based on your premium, not on the number of claim-free years you have built up.
- Step-Back NCD Protection: A more affordable alternative to full protection. Your discount reduces after a claim rather than disappearing entirely. Some insurers may offer Step-Back NCD Protection as standard.
- Keycare: Worth it if your car uses a modern electronic key, key fob, or proximity sensor. Replacing these can cost €150–€500. Keycare costs €19.76/year (including government levy).1
- Open Driving: Useful if other people regularly need to drive your car. Allows drivers with a full licence to drive your car, subject to age and licence requirements that vary by insurer (typically between 25 and 71). Subject to acceptance criteria.
- Personal Accident Cover: Provides a lump sum payment if you or your passengers are seriously injured or killed in a road traffic accident. Available with Allianz only where the NCB Protection package is purchased; available as a separate optional extra with AIG (€12), Aviva (€12), and FBD (€25).
These optional extras are not necessary to purchase in order to purchase a car insurance policy with An Post Insurance.
1) Keycare is administered by Keycare Assistance Limited and underwritten by MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Compania Internacional De Seguros Y Reaseguros, S.A., trading as MAWDY.
How much do Car Insurance extras cost?
The cost of optional extras varies depending on the extra and your insurer. As a guide:
| Extra | Cost | Details |
| No Claims Bonus Protection | Varies by insurer | The cost is based on your premium. Subject to eligibility. |
| Step-Back NCD Protection | Varies by insurer | Typically lower cost than full NCD protection. |
| Keycare | €19.76/year or €1.65/month (incl. govt levy) | Cover for lost, stolen, or broken car keys. |
| Open Driving | Varies by insurer | Allow other drivers to use your car. Subject to acceptance criteria. |
| Personal Accident Cover (AIG/Aviva) | €12 per policy | Lump sum for serious injury.* |
| Driver Accident Protection (FBD) | €25 per policy | Lump sum for serious injury.* |
| Personal Accident Cover (Allianz) | Included with NCB Protection package | Lump sum for serious injury. Not available separately. |
It is not necessary to purchase any optional extras in order to purchase a car insurance policy.
*For more information, click the + icon to expand each option in the ‘Tailor Your Car Insurance Policy’ section below.
Tailor Your Car Insurance Policy
We've partnered with a range of providers so you can choose the car insurance policy and extra benefits that work best for you. You can even upgrade your policy by purchasing any of the following optional extras2, for added peace of mind. If you'd like some help, get in touch on 0818 22 22 22.
2) These options are subject to an additional charge; it is not necessary to purchase these upgrades in order to purchase the policy.
This optional additional cover allows you to keep part of your no claims discount if you need to make a claim. We will reduce your No Claims Discount in line with the following scale:
AIG policies
- 55% to 30%,
- 50% to 30%,
- 40% to 20% or
- 30% to 10%
Aviva policies
- 50% to 20%,
- 40% to 10% or
- 30% or less to nil
FBD policies
- 75% to 55%,
- 70% to 55%,
- 65% to 55% or
- 55% to nil
- 35% to nil
Allianz policies
| Years of No Claims Bonus (NCB) at your last renewal | Years of NCB at your next renewal if you've had One Claim | Years of NCB at your next renewal if you've had One Claim |
| 0-3 | Nil | Nil |
| 4 | 1 | Nil |
| 5 or more | 2 | Nil |
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Car Insurance policy.
For an extra premium, this optional additional cover allows you to protect your No Claims Discount in the event of a claim. Each insurer offers a different protected No Claims Discount:
AIG Policies
For an extra premium, this optional additional cover allows you to have up to two unlimited claims in a three-year period, without losing your No Claims Discount. (We will not take account of windscreen damage or fire or theft claims. If you have a third claim in this period your no claims discount will be reduced as follows:
- 55%/50% back to 30%
- 40% back to 20%
- 30% back to 10%
- 20%/10% back to 0%
Aviva Policies
For an extra premium, this optional additional cover allows you to have up to two unlimited claims in a three-year period, without losing your No Claims Discount. (We will not take account of windscreen damage or fire or theft claims.)
FBD Policies
For an extra premium, this optional additional cover allows you to make up to two unlimited claims in a three-year period, without losing your No Claims Discount. (We will not take account of windscreen damage or fire or theft claims.). If you have a third claim in this period, your no claim discount will be reduced as follows:
- 75% back to 55%
- 70% back to 55%
- 65% back to 55%
- 55% back to 0%
- 35% back to 0%
Allianz Policies:
If an optional No claims bonus Protection package is selected, this allows you to make one unlimited third-party or Accidental Damage claim in any three year renewal period without losing your no-claims discount. Where a second unlimited claim occurs in a three year renewal period the No Claim Discount will step back by three years. Claims paid in respect of Windscreen Breakage, Fire, or Theft will be paid without impact on No Claims Discount.
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Car Insurance policy.
This is an optional personal accident cover available to customers of AIG at a cost of €12. If applicable to your policy, we will pay the following benefits to Insured Persons for the events described:
- Death €26,000
- Total and permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes €26,000
- Loss of one or more limbs €26,000
- For each complete day you or they spend as an inpatient in hospital for up to 20 days €130 per day subject to a maximum of €2,600
We will pay benefits to any person insured who is injured:
- While in, getting into or getting out of a private car
- While in, getting into or getting out of any train, bus, taxi, aircraft, boat, ship or hovercraft, but only as a fare-paying passenger, or
- While as a pedestrian involving any road vehicle, train or aircraft.
The injury must be the only cause of death, loss of sight in one or both eyes or loss of a limb of the person insured.
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Car Insurance policy.
This is an optional personal accident cover available to customers of Aviva at a cost of €12. If applicable to your policy, we will pay the following benefits to Insured Persons for the events described:
- Death €26,000
- Total and permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes €26,000
- Loss of one or more limbs €26,000
- For each complete day you or they spend as an inpatient in hospital for up to 20 days €130 per day
We will pay benefits to any person insured who is injured:
- While in, getting into or getting out of a private car
- While in, getting into or getting out of any train, bus, taxi, aircraft, boat, ship or hovercraft, but only as a fare-paying passenger, or
- While as a pedestrian involving any road vehicle, train or aircraft.
The injury must be the only cause of death, loss of sight in one or both eyes or loss of a limb of the person insured.
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Car Insurance policy.
This is an optional personal accident cover available to customers of FBD at a cost of €25. If applicable to your policy, we will pay one of the following benefits if you or any insured driver is accidentally injured as a result of an accident while driving the insured car which within three months after the date of the accident results in
- Death €30,000
- Total and permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes €15,000
- Loss of one or more limbs €15,000
- Hospital expenses incurred after an accident, for which there is a claim under the policy up to €350 a week and €3,000 in total
- Medical & physiotherapy expenses up to €1,000
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Car Insurance policy.
Covers you to drive another private vehicle in Ireland for loss or damage, providing the vehicle does not belong to you, subject to terms and conditions*
FBD - Comprehensive Driving of Other Cars covers you to drive another private car in Ireland for loss, damage or glass breakage, providing the car does not belong to you. The maximum amount payable is €50,000 and the car must have an engine size of no more than 2500cc. This cover is available as an optional extra at a cost of €25. Driving of other cars does not extend to hire or rental cars, vans, car-vans, jeeps with no rear seats, vans altered to carry passengers, or vehicles belonging to a partner or spouse.
AIG - Loss or damage to another person’s insured private car (up to 3000cc) while you temporarily drive in Ireland only. Cover applies up to a maximum of €50,000 or the value of the vehicle, whichever is less and cannot be used to drive a car belonging to a partner/spouse or Employer. The car must be in roadworthy condition, registered in the Republic of Ireland, taxed privately and not older than 15 years. Please make sure to review the full endorsement applying to this cover which is contained in your quote/renewal pack. Driving of other cars does not extend to hire or rental cars, vans, car-vans, jeeps with no rear seats or vans altered to carry passengers.
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Car Insurance policy.
*Third Party Driving of other cars’ must be applicable & policy cover must be fully Comprehensive in order for ‘Comprehensive Driving of other cars' to be available.
For full terms & conditions applying to this cover, please review our underwriter's policy booklet.
Great value cover for your lost, stolen or broken car keys. Keycare cover can save you the replacement cost of your keys and what's more, it's only €19.76 for the year – that’s just €1.66 per month. We will replace your keys if they are lost or stolen, up to €1,500 per annum and we will replace broken keys up to €100 per annum. For full details on our Keycare cover please view our Keycare webpage.
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Car Insurance policy.
Keycare is administered by Keycare Assistance Limited and underwritten by MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Compania Internacional De Seguros Y Reaseguros, S.A., trading as MAWDY.
Allianz Personal Accident cover is included where the additional No Claims Bonus protection package has been purchased.
We will pay the following Personal accident benefits for the driver and occupants of your car:
- Death: €15,000
- Total & Permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes: €15,000
- Loss of limb at or above the wrist or ankle: €15,000
- Permanent total disablement: €15,000
- Temporary total disablement: €60 per week for up to 50 weeks (excludes the first 14 days)
- Medical, surgical, and hospital fees and cost of necessary medical appliances related to the injury: €200 per week for up to 10 weeks
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Car Insurance policy.
Covers other drivers with a Full EU or UK Licence to drive your car with your permission. Certain age, occupation and other restrictions apply which depend on your underwriter.
AIG & Aviva Policies: Cover is provided for any person free from accidents, claims, disqualifications, endorsements and convictions, aged from 25 to 70 years holding a full EU or UK driving licence - The driver cannot have any penalty points unless they are named on the policy.
FBD Policies: Cover is provided for any person free from accidents, claims, disqualifications, endorsements and convictions, aged from 25 to 71 years holding a full Irish, UK or EU driving licence. Up to 6 Penalty Points are allowed provided they are not court awarded.
Allianz Policies: Optional extra available subject to terms and conditions. Those driving under the Open Driving must be free from accidents, claims, disqualifications, endorsements and convictions, aged between 30 to 70, and holding a full clean Irish, UK or EU driving licence. No more than 6 penalty points or 2 fixed charge notices.
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Car Insurance policy.
We value your feedback
The staff that looked after my renewal were all excellent. I was changing my car a few days before renewal and they took care of everything. They helped me with my payment (I was stressed at the time) and were so patient. Overall, very happy with the service. Janette 1st - Mar - 2026
Car Insurance Extras FAQs
In most cases, optional extras need to be added at the time of getting your quote or at renewal. Open Driving can be added mid-term. Contact An Post Insurance on 0818 22 22 22 if you would like to add extras to an existing policy.
No, optional extras are additional benefits you can choose to add. They are not necessary to purchase a Car Insurance Policy with An Post Insurance.
Motor Legal Protection* is included as standard with all An Post Insurance Car Insurance Policies. The cost is included in your premium breakdown. You do not need to add it separately. Not available on BoxClever* Telematics policies.
*Motor Legal Protection covers legal expenses up to €130,000. The cost is included in your premium breakdown. Underwritten by ARAG Legal Protection Limited. Not available on BoxClever Telematics policies.
** BoxClever Car Insurance features and benefits differ from standard car insurance. Visit our BoxClever Telematic Car Insurance page for details.
No Claims Discount Protection is the most commonly added extra, as it protects the premium discount that drivers have built up over years of claims-free driving. If you make a claim for accidental damage without protection, your discount could be significantly reduced or removed at renewal, increasing your premium the following year. Note that windscreen, fire, and theft claims do not affect your No Claims Discount regardless of whether you have protection in place.
Your optional extras are listed in your policy schedule, which is included in your policy documentation. If you are unsure, call An Post Insurance on 0818 22 22 22 and a team member can confirm your cover.
