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 in any period of insurance, anywhere in the world.
Yes, items in your shed or garage are covered if you have included them in the Contents Sum Insured figure in your private house and outbuildings. However, the domestic outbuilding must be fitted with suitable key-operated locks and any keys must be removed and placed out of sight inside your house or apartment
A limit of €3,000 applies to contents in outbuildings, such as a shed or garage.
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 or call 0818 33 33 33 and we will be happy to resolve any issues.
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.
Your contents cover will automatically increase by 10% for the month of December and 30 days before and after the wedding of an immediate family 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.
Our Cover
Accidental Damage Cover is an optional benefit available for an additional premium on home insurance plans which extends cover to include accidental events, giving rise to a loss, e.g. a large spillage on the carpet, if someone puts their foot through the ceiling.
It is not necessary to purchase this optional extra in order to purchase a Home Insurance policy.
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. Home Emergency Assistance provides cover for up to €260 per-incident and it is limited to 3 claims per policy year.
This cover is underwritten by MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Compania Internacional De Seguros Y Reaseguros, S.A., trading as MAPFRE ASSISTANCE Agency Ireland.
Suitable, key-operated, manufacturer-approved locks are locks capable of locking the door from the inside and only unlockable from the outside by key; Deadbolts are also fine. provided they are accessible and can be opened in event of a fire.
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.
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.
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.
EN50131 Standard is a regulation, which was introduced to establish a minimum standard for the installation of burglar alarms in the home. If your burglar alarm has been fitted by an authorised contractor to EN50131 Standard (old IS199) you should have been given a certificate to verify this at installation. The installer should hold a Private Security Authority licence.
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 click here.
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. For information on calculating the reinstatement value of your house click here.
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.
If you are looking to cover a Ride-on-Lawnmower, Caravan, Home Office or Childminding up to two children this can be done over the phone with us – please call us on 0818 22 22 22.
An Post Insurance Landlord's Contents Insurance is a specially designed contents insurance cover for landlords who are letting an apartment.
Cover includes;
- Public and Personal liability up to €1,300,000 cover for your legal liability for damages and costs following injury or disease to any person or loss or damage to property
- Leaking or overflowing of water from within any plumbing, heating or drainage system or fixed domestic appliance
- Trace and Access up to €1,000 to find the sources of any oil or water leak causing damage
- Glass Breakage of ceramic hobs or glass over doors up to €650
- Door Lock Replacement if your keys are stolen, we will replace your locks, up to a maximum of €400
- Fire Brigade Charges up to €1,500
Tenant's Contents Insurance is specially designed for tenants renting houses or apartments to cover their possessions against damage or theft and liability protection in case someone is injured in their rented home.
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. Cover for up to €260 per incident, limited to 3 claims per policy year. (This cover is underwritten by MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Compania Internacional De Seguros Y Reaseguros, S.A., trading as MAPFRE ASSISTANCE Agency Ireland).
- Door lock replacement: If your keys are stolen, we will replace your locks, up to a maximum of €400.
- Fire brigade charges: Call out charges are covered up to €1,500.
- Frozen food: Cover for loss or damage up to €650.
- Credit/debit cards cover: Cover for lost or stolen credit or debit cards if you become legally liable for costs up to €650 or for cash up to €400.
- Protected no claim discount: You can make one claim up to €10,000 in a 3 year period without losing your NCD.
- Public and personal liability: Up to €3,000,000 cover for your legal liability for damages and costs following injury or disease to any person or loss or damage to property
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
Optional Garden cover 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.
Protected No Claims Discount allows you to make one claim up to €10,000 in a three-year period without losing your no claims discount.
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.
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.
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 and enjoy a 12.5% discount. All alarms must be fitted to EN50131 (old IS199) standards and installed by an intruder alarm company approved by the National Standards Authority of Ireland. The installer should hold a P.S.A. (Private Security Authority) licence. 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 using the following options:
- By BillPay at the Post Office - using cash, cheque or debit card
- By www.billpay.ie
- 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.
There are several 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 fitted to EN50131 standards and installed by an NSAI approved intruder alarm company with a PSA license.
- If you have a 'Smartzone home alarm system' installed and maintained by Smartzone.
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
- At the Post Office
When paying monthly, you pay a flat service charge, currently 9%, which will stay the same for the length of the plan.
If you wish to pay online you can do so on our payment portal 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 you need to make a claim on your Home Insurance Policy simply call the claims team on 1800 14 71 47 to register your claim, don't forget to have your Home Insurance Policy number to hand.
If 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. We will provide a repair service to secure your home and help prevent further damage from occurring. Cover for up to €260 per incident, limited to 3 claims per policy year.
This cover is underwritten by MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Compania Internacional De Seguros Y Reaseguros, S.A., trading as MAPFRE ASSISTANCE Agency Ireland.
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 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 on 091 545 909.
Differential Pricing
We’re human about insurance, and sometimes that means making important information easier to understand for our customers. The Central Bank of Ireland recently conducted a review into Car and Home Insurance pricing across the Irish market, and as a result, they introduced a series of measures to strengthen the consumer protection framework. We’ve put together a simple summary of these steps to help you understand how you’ll be affected when they’re introduced on the 1st July 2022.
- What is ‘price walking’ – and why is it banned?
The Central Bank is banning a practice known as ‘price walking’. This means that from 1st July 2022, when you renew your car or home insurance for the second time or more, your insurance provider can no longer charge you more than someone who is renewing for the first time and has a similar risk profile and cost of service to you. - Will reviews of pricing policies and processes change?
These new measures mean that providers of car and home insurance will have to review their pricing policies and processes annually to maintain a focus on pricing practices and the impact these practices may have on customers. This should also ensure adherence to new pricing provisions and the fair treatment of consumers. - How will the automatic renewal process work?
If your car or home insurance policy renews automatically by direct debit, that won’t change. However, now you will now be given additional information to help you make more informed decisions when renewing your insurance.
For more information on the new regulations, take a look at the Central Bank of Ireland’s website, available here.
The premium you have been offered for your policy is set by the Insurer of your Policy (which will be clearly set out in any correspondence we send to you regarding your Policy). An Post Insurance also applies certain fees, which again will be clearly set out and are included in our Terms of Business. Your premium may increase (or indeed, decrease) based on the Insurer’s updated view of relevant factors affecting your risk, including claims costs, rising inflation and the ban on price walking resulting from the Differential Pricing Regulations.
The premium you have been offered for your policy is set by the Insurer of your Policy (which will be clearly set out in any correspondence we send to you regarding your Policy). An Post Insurance also applies certain fees, which again will be clearly set out and are included in our Terms of Business. Your premium may increase (or indeed, decrease) based on the Insurer’s updated view of relevant factors affecting your risk, including claims costs, rising inflation and the ban on price walking resulting from the Differential Pricing Regulations. For you, the latest view for your risk has resulted in a premium reduction.
Any premiums we have offered you previously were correct and based on the Insurer’s view of the risk at that point in time. As such, there is no refund due for previous insurance periods.
It’s important to read the offer in detail – put the kettle on and take some time to go through your renewal documentation. This outlines your own personal details, your premium, your cover and sums insured as well as highlighting the benefits included on your policy. We recommend that at every renewal you review all cover on your policy to make sure it’s suitable for your needs. You should check your buildings sums insured to ensure they reflect today’s rebuilding costs and any additional cover options you have chosen or may require. The following website can help you check current estimated rebuilding costs: please click here.
Your renewal documentation also includes details of your renewal payment options. If you currently pay your premium by direct debit, your policy will renew automatically unless you contact us at least 10 days before your renewal date to advise us that you do not wish your policy to renew automatically.
You should keep your insurance arrangements under review as there may be other alternatives in the market that could provide savings for you for similar cover. More information in relation to getting insurance quotes is available on the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission website here.
Our experienced Renewals team is on hand to help you go through your options. Contact us at 0818 33 33 35 to discuss the best price available for your policy renewal, or to make any changes to your policy at renewal. We’re here to provide the cover and care you need.
We understand that life is busy, and there’s lots to do, but it’s important to take the time you need to go through your paperwork. We encourage you to review your renewal documentation in detail. It outlines your own personal details, your premium, and the cover and benefits included on your policy. We recommend that at every renewal you review all cover on your policy to ensure it’s suitable for your needs, including any additional cover options you have chosen or may require.
Your renewal documentation also includes details of your renewal payment options. If you currently pay your premium by direct debit, your policy will renew automatically unless you contact us at least 10 days before your renewal date to advise us that you do not wish your policy to renew automatically.
You should keep your insurance arrangements under review as there may be other alternatives in the market that could provide savings for you for similar cover. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission website (available here) is a great resource for further information on getting insurance quotes.
Cars can be complicated, but car insurance doesn’t have to be: to discuss the best price available for your policy renewal, or if you would like to make any changes to your policy at renewal, get in touch with our friendly Renewals team on 0818 33 33 35. We’re here to help.