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, email us on [email protected] 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.
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; 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.
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.
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 €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
- 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 €1,200
- Fire Brigade Charges up to €3,500
Tenants 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 €1,200.
- Fire brigade charges: Call out charges are covered up to €3,500.
- Frozen food: Cover for loss or damage up to €1,000.
- Credit/debit cards cover: Cover for lost or stolen credit or debit cards if you become legally liable for costs up to €2,000 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 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 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 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 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.