Home Insurance FAQs
We've gathered all the details you need to better understand your home insurance options. Take a look at our FAQs and learn more about how we can help you get the cover you deserve at the price you prefer.
Your Policy or Renewal
If you have taken out the optional cover for jewellery, personal belongings, bicycles and money, we will cover loss or damage within Europe or, for up to 30 days for Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC policies and 60 days worldwide for Allianz p.l.c. policies
To make a change to your Home Insurance Policy, simply call our Customer Service Team in Athlone on 0818 33 33 33. We can assist you in making the necessary amends to your policy, including:
- Adding new higher value items to your policy
- Updating personal information
- Updating payment or bank details
Should you wish to cancel your Home Insurance Policy, you must send written instruction, inclusive of your policy number to An Post Insurance. A cancellation fee may apply. You can simply fill in the cancellation form and return it to us at our freepost address: An Post Insurance, PO Box 1, Freepost, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
If you have misplaced any of your documents please contact our Customer Service Team on 0818 33 33 33 or 090 64 87300, alternatively, you can email [email protected]. Please note a charge may be incurred for reprints of documents.
We are always grateful for any feedback and are dedicated to ensuring our customers are satisfied with the service they receive. Please contact the Customer Service Manager, PO Box 1, Freepost, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, email us on [email protected] or call 0818 33 33 33 and we will be happy to resolve any issues.
Cover for your legal liability for damages & costs following injury, illness or disease to any person or damage to their property up to €3 million.
Every customer is issued with a renewal notice before the end of their current policy. You can renew your Home Insurance Policy using the following options;
To renew your policy online simply visit our payment portal and enter your Quote or Policy Reference Number and your Date of Birth to be directed to your payment link.
If you need to make any changes or speak to one of our representatives you can call 0818 33 33 35.
In order to update your personal details on your Home Insurance Policy simply call one of our agents on 0818 33 33 33 or email [email protected] and one of our agents will get back to you.
In order to add a joint owner to your home insurance policy simply call one of our agents on 0818 33 33 33 or email [email protected] and one of our agents will get back to you.
If you are insured with Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC, your contents cover will automatically increase by 10% for the month of December and for 30 days before and after wedding of household member.
If you are insured with Allianz p.l.c., your contents cover will automatically increase by 10% for the months of December and January and for 1 month before and after wedding of household member.
Yes, your Home Insurance Policy covers loss or damage to your visitors’ personal belongings while temporarily in your home. We will pay up to the limit shown in your schedule and you will not have to pay an excess under this section.
Landlord Insurance is designed for those who rent out a property and need full protection for the building and any contents they provide. It includes cover tenant-related risks* and public liability.
If you’re letting a furnished apartment and only need contents cover, see our Landlord's Contents Insurance.
If you need full cover including the building, see our Landlord's Insurance.
*Please refer to our policy booklets for full cover details and terms and conditions that apply. Discounts, cover limits, and terms and conditions are dependent on your insurer and those applicable to you will be outlined in your policy documents.
Our Cover
Depending on your insurer, accidental damage covers you for accidental damage to your buildings and/or contents in your home at an increased premium. Please refer to your Policy Booklet for further information on Accidental Damage cover.
If you have an emergency in your home, Home Emergency Assistance will provide a repair service to secure your house and help prevent further damage from occurring.
Depending on your insurer, cover is available for up to €300 per incident/4 call-outs per policy year or €260 per incident/3 call-outs per policy year.
If you experience an emergency at home, please telephone 091 501 698 for Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC policies or01 613 3990 (option 3) for Allianz p.l.c policies.
This cover is underwritten by MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Compania Internacional De Seguros Y Reaseguros, S.A., trading as MAWDY.
Please note, an excess is not payable when using Home Emergency Assistance.
Suitable, key-operated, manufacturer-approved locks are locks capable of locking the door from the inside and only unlockable from the outside by key.
Extra cover on our home insurance plans is an optional additional cover available to you for an additional cost on your premium for valuable personal possessions inside or outside of your home. Extra cover is generally requested for valuable possessions such as:
jewellery
personal belongings
bicycles
personal money
If you select extra cover for any items, they are covered inside the home and outside the home within Europe, as well as for up to 30 days worldwide days for Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC policies and 60 days worldwide for Allianz p.l.c. policies.
Specified extra cover is for items that can be described as valuable personal possessions. You are able to specifically note these items on your home insurance policy under extra cover for jewellery, personal belongings, bicycles and money. Such an item may be a valuable piece of jewellery or an expensive camera.
This optional additional cover is available on your policy for an additional premium and also covers these items in Europe, as well as for up to 30 days worldwide for Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC policies and 60 days worldwide for Allianz p.l.c. policies. .
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Home Insurance policy.
The excess on your Home Insurance Policy refers to the amount payable by you, in the event of a claim. Under this policy, you will be required to pay a standard excess. You have the option to increase the excess, which will reduce your premium. Please refer to your policy documents to find out what excess is applicable to you.
The reinstatement value is the cost of completely rebuilding your house (less the value of the site) including architects and surveyors fees. It is important to note that the reinstatement value is the figure for which your house should be insured, rather than the market value of your home. For more information on calculating the reinstatement value of your house.
You should insure your home for the full reinstatement cost of your house as opposed to the current market value, as the market value may be more or less than the full rebuilding cost of your home. Click the link for information on calculating the reinstatement value of your house.
There are typically two ways you can choose contents cover on an An Post Insurance home insurance policy.
- You can choose contents cover as a percentage of your building cover. For example, if your building is insured for €200,000 and you choose 30% contents cover, then you have cover up to €60,000.
- You can insure the total value of all your contents as a separate sum.
Ride-on-Lawnmowers & Childminding (max 2 children) are standard for owner occupied properties.
Caravans may be added to Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC owner occupied policies only. Please call us on 0818 22 22 22.
Home office: Please call us on 0818 22 22 22.
Cover includes;
Home emergency assistance: If you have an emergency in your home, we will provide a repair service to secure your home and help prevent further damage from occurring.
Depending on your insurer, cover is available for up to €300 per incident/ 4 call-outs per policy year or €260 per incident/3 call-outs per policy year.
This cover is underwritten by MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Compania Internacional De Seguros Y Reaseguros, S.A., trading as MAWDY.
Public and personal liability to others: Cover for your legal liability for damages & costs following injury, illness or disease to any person or damage to their property up to €3 million.
Replace door locks: If your keys are stolen, we will replace your door locks. Depending on your insurer cover is available for up to €1,200 or a maximum of your contents sum insured.
Frozen food: Cover for loss or damage to food in your freezer. Depending on your insurer cover is available for up to €1,000 or €750.
Fire brigade charges: Cover for call-out charges covered in relation to an insured event. Depending on your insurer cover is available for up to €3,500 or €3,000.
When you buy a house you may need Buildings and Contents Insurance Cover. An Post Insurance Buildings and Contents Insurance will cover your house structure, permanent fixtures in your home, and items such as septic tanks, patios and driveways within the boundary of your home.
Family Legal Protection is an optional extra that offers help and advice with the most common legal problems. It will pay up to €65,000 to cover the legal costs that you may incur for claims made under the policy. You have access to a 24 Hour Helpline which will provide help and advice on any personal legal matter from a team of legal experts.
Available as an optional extra on your Home Insurance policy, at a cost of just €15 per policy. It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Home Insurance policy.
Family Legal Protection is underwritten by ARAG Legal Protection Limited
If you are insured by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC you can avail of Optional Garden cover. This covers for loss or damage caused by an insured event (other than accidental damage) to garden furniture, ornaments and playground toys designed and constructed for permanent outdoor use, which are in the open and within the boundary of your home
There are three sums insured available €1,000; €2,000 or €3,000.
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Home Insurance policy.
If insured by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC Our Credit/Debit Card cover means if you or any family member living permanently with you become legally liable for costs following the loss of your credit or debit cards, we will pay these costs up to the amount shown in your schedule. This cover applies in Europe and for 30 days in any period of insurance anywhere in the world.
If you are insured with Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC, Jury Service Benefit means we will pay the daily benefit shown in your schedule for each day or part of a day that you or your partner go to court for jury service. Up to €40 per day, max €650.
A claim under this section will not affect your no-claim bonus and you will not have to pay an excess under this section.
Yes, fire brigade call out charges in relation to an insured event is covered up to €3,500 or €3,000 depending on your insurer.
Payments
Yes, taking certain measures to improve your home security can help reduce the cost of your Home Insurance. Additionally, you will also be able to reduce the risk of a break-in.
Here are some things you can do to beat the burglars:
Safeguard your home with an approved burglar alarm for a possible discount on your premium. All alarms must be installed and maintained in working order and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and requirements. The alarm system must be activated when nobody is in the home. Discounts are applied consecutively and are subject to a minimum premium - available here.
Make it a habit to check that you have locked doors and windows when you leave the house.
Use locks on your windows and never leave the keys in the locks.
Another good habit to get into is to leave a light on when you go out at night. If you’re going on holiday, use timer plugs on a few lights around the house.
Never leave a spare key in what you think might be a convenient hiding place, such as under the doormat or in a flowerpot – thieves know where to look.
Don’t leave your side gates, sheds or garages open or unlocked. Keep your ladders under lock and key, along with any tools that could be used to break into your home.
If you’re going away, don’t leave parcels on your doorstep for too long, or leave mail sticking out of your letterbox. Ask a reliable neighbour to keep an eye on things for you.
Never let valuables be seen from the windows and don’t label your house keys in case you lose them and the wrong person finds them.
Security lighting can help ward off intruders at night. If streetlights are not working on your road, report them to the council.
If you live in an apartment, never ‘buzz’ someone in on behalf of your neighbours if you don’t know who they are. Make sure nobody comes in the main front door behind you either.
If someone says they need to gain entry, to read your meter, for example, check their photo identification card first.
Put a spy hole into your front door and have a door chain fitted.
If there’s a Neighbourhood Watch scheme operating in your area, join it.
With our premium payment plan, you can pay your premium over 10 monthly instalments. You can pay your instalments by Direct Debit from your Bank Account. In this instance, you must pay your first instalment over the phone or by cheque, money order, credit card or debit card. You can then pay your remaining instalments automatically by Direct Debit from your bank account.
Please note: a deposit of 20% is required for the first instalment and a service fee of up to 10% applies.
There are a few ways you can reduce your Home Insurance Premium, depending on the type of policy you have, including:
Increasing your voluntary excess to either €500, €750 or €1000
Safeguarding your home with an approved burglar alarm. The alarm must be installed and maintained in working order and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and requirements. It must be activated when nobody is in the home.
If you are paying by Direct Debit and you do not wish to renew you must contact An Post Insurance at least 10 days prior to your renewal date to ensure we do not present your direct debit to your bank for payment.
If you wish to pay your Home Insurance Premium you can choose the payment method that suits you best. You can choose to pay your premium by:
Monthly direct debit payments
Debit/credit card
One4all gift cards
When paying monthly, you pay a flat service charge, currently 10%, which will stay the same for the length of the plan.
If you wish to pay or renew online you can do so on our Existing Customer page or if you prefer to speak to an Agent you can call 0818 33 33 35.
Claims & Emergencies
It is a requirement to have supporting documentation relating to the claim. For example:
- original purchase receipts,
- instruction manuals,
- guarantees
- replacement estimates.
If your Home Insurance Policy is with Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC and you need to make a claim simply call the claims team on 1800 14 71 47.
If your Home Insurance Policy is with Allianz p.l.c. and you need to make a claim simply call the claims team on 01 6133990.
If your Home Insurance Policy is with Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC and you experience an emergency at home you should call 091 545 909 or if you are calling from outside of Ireland telephone +353 91 501698.
If your Home Insurance Policy is with Allianz p.l.c. you should call 01 6133990 or if you are calling from outside of Ireland telephone +353 1 6133990.
We will provide a repair service to secure your home and help prevent further damage from occurring.
Depending on your insurer, cover is available for up to €300 per incident/ 4 call-outs per policy year or €260 per incident/3 call-outs per policy year.
This cover is underwritten by MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Compania Internacional De Seguros Y Reaseguros, S.A., trading as MAWDY.
If the keys to your home are stolen, during a break-in at your home or an assault on a member of your household, you should call the Property Claims service on 1800 14 71 47 for Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC and 01 6133990 for Allianz p.l.c. to register your claim, don't forget to have your Home Insurance policy number to hand.
If the keys to your home are lost, rendering your property insecure, you should call the Home Emergency Assistance helpline.
If your Home Insurance Policy is with Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC call 091 545 909 .
If your Home Insurance Policy is with Allianz p.l.c. you should call 01 6133990.