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Renewing your car insurance

How do you renew your car insurance in Ireland?

When renewing your car insurance in Ireland, your insurer must send you a renewal notice and your no-claims discount certificate at least 20 working days before your policy ends. This page explains what must appear in your renewal documents, how to compare quotes and what to check before deciding whether to stay with your insurer or switch. It also outlines your cooling‑off rights, how switching works and the steps to take if you want to change provider.

Always review your renewal premium, check for any changes in cover and use the Car insurance shopping around checklist to get the best deal.

What must be included in your renewal documents?

Your policy renewal document must include quotes for each type of policy the insurer offers, for example:

  • Third party
  • Third party, fire and theft
  • Comprehensive

Some insurers do not offer third party only. In this case, they do not have to provide a quote for third party only. You will need your NCB if you want to move to a different insurance company. At this stage, the terms of the policy (including restrictions and limitations) should be provided, along with your NCB. If it is a renewal, any changes to the policy terms, including restrictions and limitations, should also be provided.

What information must appear with your renewal premium?

On the same page that shows your renewal premium price, your insurer must state:

  • The premiums paid for the policy in the previous five years
  • A list of any claims, including third party claims paid by the insurer to you or to a third party, in the previous five years
  • If there was a mid-term adjustment during the previous policy year, the insurer must also include:
  • An annualised premium figure for the previous policy year (excluding fees or charges applied for that adjustment)
  • A statement that the annualised premium shown may not be what was actually paid in the previous policy year due to for example changes in cover.
    Top tips

    Consumers are not required to give any additional information to the insurance company at renewal time unless the insurance company has specifically asked for it.

     

    If immediate cover is required, the detailed information set out above may be provided to you in writing immediately after the insurance cover has been provided.

     

    If you pay by direct debit, your current insurance company will usually renew your policy for another year if you do not cancel your current policy with them before it ends.

     

    Policies and quotes can vary significantly between insurance companies, so it is important to shop around – you can use our Car insurance shopping around checklist. 

    When is the best time to switch?

    The ideal time to switch insurance companies is when you are renewing your annual policy. Always shop around and compare quotes before you renew.

    Shop around

    After getting several quotes, do not be afraid to bargain with insurance companies – including your current provider – to get the best price.

    What if you change your mind after switching?

    You have a 14-day cooling-off period after switching to a new insurance company.

    • During this time, you can cancel your policy and get a full refund, less the amount it cost for the days you were covered and any administration charges.
    • Your insurer must include administration charges in their terms of business, which they should give you before you buy a policy.

    Can you switch during your policy?

    Yes, it is possible to switch insurance companies during your policy. However, your insurance company will usually charge a penalty fee. Check your policy’s terms and conditions to find out the cost of switching, then decide if it is worth switching before your renewal date.

    What do you need to do to switch insurance company?

    1. Notify your insurance company in writing that you are cancelling your policy if your policy is still in place.
    2. If you are paying by direct debit, contact your insurance company in writing to cancel the direct debit and send a copy of the letter to your bank. You may also be able to cancel a direct debit through online banking.
    3. Get a copy of your no claims bonus from your previous insurance company and send it to your new company.
    4. Send your new insurance company a copy of your current driving licence.
    5. Some insurance companies will require a copy of the Vehicle Licensing Certificate (pre-2004 VLC)/Vehicle Registration Certificate (post-2004 VRC) to prove ownership and the National Car Test (NCT) certificate to prove roadworthiness.

    If your insurance company cancels your car insurance policy, they must give you 7-14 days’ notice. The insurer also must:

    • Repay the full balance of premium for the unexpired term
    • Provide the reason for cancellation
    • Not impose any financial cost on the consumer where a contract is cancelled

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