car insurance
made easy
for independent in
formation
How to contact us...
Phone In
consumer help-line,
lo-call 1890 77 77 77
Log In
www.itsyourmoney.ie
consumerinfo@financialregulator.ie
Drop In
Information Centre,
6-8 College Green, Dublin 2
About us
We are an independent watchdog
set up by the Government to:
regulate firms that provide financial
services; and
help you make informed decisions
about your personal finances.
We do not sell anything. We give
you free, independent information
in plain English and help answer
your questions.
ContentsIntroduction
3
Do I have to get car insurance?
3
Types of car insurance
4
Third-party cover
4
Third-party fire and theft cover
4
Comprehensive cover
4
Costs
7
The ‘excess’
9
No-claims discount
9
Insuring a second car
11
Will I lose my no-claims discount if I stop driving for a while?
11
1
Shopping around for cover
12
What can I do if I am refused cover?
13
What can I do if I think I am being charged too much?
13
Questions to ask
14
Dos and don’ts
15
Shopping around for car insurance
16
2
Introduction
This guide gives you information on how car insurance
works and what is likely to be covered by a typical
private car insurance policy. It gives general information
only so you should check your own policy for full details
of your cover.
Do I have to get car insurance?
If you have a car, by law you must have at least third-
party cover. This covers any injury or loss suffered by
other people as a result of negligence by you or someone
driving your car. It is a criminal offence to drive in a public
place without third-party insurance, or to allow your car
to be used by somebody else without this minimum level
of cover.
You can buy car insurance that gives you just the legal
minimum third-party cover. However, depending on
your circumstances and on the age and value of your
car, you may want to extend your cover to include
the costs of repair or replacement if your car is stolen,
damaged or destroyed.
The first step is to consider wh