Anyone who’s tried to find a better deal on car insurance in Ireland already knows the drill: fill in a few fields, cross your fingers, and hope the quote comes back lower than last year. But with discounts like up to 75% no claims discount from An Post Insurance and 15% online savings from Aviva, the real trick is knowing which route—direct insurer or comparison site—actually saves you the most.

4 related posts

Maximum No Claims Discount: 75% (An Post, FBD) ·
Online Discount Available: Up to 15% (Aviva) or 10% (FBD, AIG) ·
Number of Insurers Compared: Up to 20+ (GMIB) or 14 (Chill) ·
Potential Savings Claimed: Up to €300 (RedClick) or €100 (An Post) ·
Minimum Coverage Required: Third-party (legal requirement)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Aviva offers a 15% online discount and up to 50% savings with 5 years claims-free (Aviva Ireland)
  • Chill compares prices from 14 leading insurers and gives €40 off (Chill Insurance)
  • RedClick offers a maximum €300 online discount on new private car policies (RedClick)
  • AIG car insurance starts from €280 with up to 65% NCD (AIG Ireland)
2What’s unclear
  • Which single provider is cheapest across all driver profiles – quotes vary widely
  • Whether comparison sites consistently beat direct insurer deals once all discounts are applied
  • The exact average car insurance premium in Ireland from an official national source
3Timeline signal
  • Quotes are typically valid for 30 days
  • Online discounts and introductory offers change frequently – check current rates
4What’s next
  • Compare quotes from at least three different sources (direct + comparison site)
  • Apply your no claims bonus and any eligibility discounts before finalising
The upshot

Irish drivers who shop around can save hundreds of euro—but the best deal depends on combining the right discount stack with the right platform.

Key facts at a glance
Metric Detail
Maximum No Claims Discount 75% (AXA, An Post, FBD)
Online Discount Up to 15% (Aviva) or 10% (AXA, FBD, AIG)
Number of Insurers Compared Up to 20+ (GMIB) or 14 (Chill)
Potential Savings Up to €300 (RedClick) or €40 (Chill) or €100 (An Post)
Insurance Requirement Third-party minimum (legal requirement)

How can I get a car insurance quote in Ireland?

Getting a quote is straightforward: most insurers and comparison sites let you fill in your details online and get a price in minutes. Aviva Ireland (Aviva, Ireland’s largest insurer) and FBD (FBD, an Irish-owned provider) both offer instant online quotes. Broker tools like Quote Devil (Quote Devil, a comparison broker) say the process takes just minutes. Phone and in-person options are also available, but online quotes typically unlock exclusive discounts.

  • Online methods: Fill in personal, vehicle, and driving history on the insurer’s website or a comparison site.
  • Phone: Call the insurer or broker directly – useful if your situation is complex (e.g. foreign licence).
  • In-person: Visit a local broker office, though less common for standard policies.

The implication: online is the fastest route and often the cheapest because of built-in discounts.

Which companies offer the cheapest car insurance quotes in Ireland?

Pricing varies dramatically by driver profile, but a 2024 comparison by Money Guide Ireland (Money Guide Ireland, an Irish personal finance site) found that 123.ie came out cheapest at €279, followed by Liberty Insurance at €383, Aviva at €434, Zurich at €498, and AXA at €585 – a gap of over €300 between cheapest and most expensive. The same comparison took less than an hour and saved more than €200 on the renewal price.

Beyond that survey, several direct insurers advertise aggressive discounts:

  • Aviva: 15% online discount, up to 50% off with 5 years no claims, and up to 19% extra for zero penalty points (Aviva Ireland).
  • FBD: 10% online discount and up to 75% no claims discount (FBD Insurance).
  • AIG: 10% online saving, quotes from €280, and up to 65% no claims discount (AIG Ireland).
  • An Post Insurance: Up to €100 off and 75% no claims discount (An Post Insurance).
  • RedClick: Maximum €300 online discount on new private car policies, subject to minimum premium (RedClick).
  • Chill: €40 online discount, compares 14 insurers (Chill Insurance).

What this means: the cheapest quote depends on your claims history, penalty points, and whether you qualify for the big no-claims discounts. The Money Guide Ireland survey shows that switching can cut your premium by hundreds.

Bottom line: Irish drivers should compare at least three sources. Driver with high NCD: direct insurer (Aviva, FBD) likely best. Driver with average NCD: comparison site (Chill, GMIB) may reveal hidden deals.

What is the best car insurance quote in Ireland?

“Best” depends on your priorities: price, coverage, or customer service. Aviva Ireland’s website says customers can save up to 50% online with 5 years claims-free, while AIG starts at €280. For many drivers, the cheapest option from a reputable insurer is the best – but coverage limits matter.

  • Criteria for ‘best’: Compare total annual premium, excess amounts, and what’s covered (comprehensive vs third-party).
  • Customer reviews: Check independent review sites, though sample sizes vary.
  • Coverage options: Some insurers include breakdown assistance, legal cover, or no claims protection.

Why this matters: the cheapest quote might exclude extras you need. A €40 difference may be worth it for better cover.

How do I compare car insurance quotes in Ireland?

You can compare quotes using dedicated comparison sites or by checking each direct insurer’s website. Chill (Chill, a specialist broker) says it compares 14 leading insurers. GMIB (referenced via Money Guide Ireland) compares over 20 providers. Direct quotes from Aviva, FBD, and AIG each have their own discount structures.

Three comparison routes, one pattern: direct insurers offer the biggest per-policy discounts; comparison sites cast a wider net.
Route Examples Key Advantage
Comparison sites Chill, GMIB, Quote Devil See many quotes at once
Direct insurers Aviva, FBD, AIG, An Post Largest online discounts (10-15%)
Brokers Local brokers, phone brokers Personalised help for complex cases

The pattern: comparison sites give breadth; direct insurers give depth of discount. Use both.

What do I need to know before getting a car insurance quote in Ireland?

Before you start, gather your personal details, vehicle registration, driving licence number, and proof of no claims bonus (usually a letter from your previous insurer). Quotes are typically valid for 30 days – so if you find a good price, you can lock it in while you compare others.

  • Required documents: Licence, vehicle details, proof of NCD, penalty points record if any.
  • Driving history: A clean record with no penalty points can unlock extra discounts – Aviva offers up to 19% off for zero points (Aviva Ireland).
  • No claims discount: Up to 75% NCD available from An Post and FBD – transfer it carefully.

The trade-off: providing more information (like penalty points) may raise your quote, but withholding it invalidates your policy.

The catch

Online discounts from RedClick are only applied before optional covers and are subject to a minimum premium, which means the headline saving may not always be achievable (RedClick).

Upsides

  • Multiple online discounts can be stacked (NCD + online + penalty points)
  • Comparison sites make it easy to see 10+ quotes in one go
  • Quotes are free and valid for 30 days

Downsides

  • Cheapest quote may not include desired coverage extras
  • Comparison sites don’t always include every insurer (e.g. some direct-only deals)
  • Online discounts often have fine print (minimum premium, new policies only)

Clarity check: what’s confirmed and what’s fuzzy

Confirmed facts
  • Aviva offers 15% online discount and up to 50% savings with 5 years claims-free (Aviva)
  • RedClick maximum online discount is €300 on new private car policies (RedClick)
  • Chill compares 14 leading insurers and gives €40 off (Chill)
  • An Post Insurance offers up to €100 off and 75% NCD (An Post)
  • FBD offers 10% online discount and up to 75% NCD (FBD)
  • AIG car insurance starts from €280 with 10% online saving and 65% NCD (AIG)
What’s unclear
  • Which single provider gives the lowest premium for an average driver across all age groups
  • Whether comparison sites always undercut direct insurer prices after applying all discounts
  • Exact national average premium from an official source (CSO data not publicly broken down)

What drivers and experts say

“Get your car insurance quote online to save 10%.”

— AXA website (advertised discount, not independently verified)

“Compare Allianz comprehensive or third party, fire & theft cover.”

— Allianz website

“Compare prices from Ireland’s 14 leading insurance companies.”

— Chill Insurance

“We compare quotes from over 20 of Ireland’s leading insurance providers.”

— GMIB website

The quotes above reflect what insurers and comparison sites publicly advertise. Real-world savings vary by individual profile.

For the Irish driver renewing a policy, the choice is clear: invest 30 minutes comparing three or more quotes, or risk overpaying by €200+ as Money Guide Ireland demonstrated. The best path combines a comparison site (for breadth) and a direct insurer (for depth of discount). Ignoring either could leave money on the table.

For a detailed breakdown of the top comparison sites and how to get the lowest premiums, you can compare the best car insurance deals tailored for Irish drivers.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to have a car to get a car insurance quote?

No – you can get a quote before buying a car, but the policy won’t start until you provide the vehicle registration.

Can I get a car insurance quote if I have a foreign driving license?

Yes – most insurers accept foreign licences, though you may be asked for a proof of driving history from your previous country.

How do I transfer my no claims bonus to a new insurer?

Request a no claims bonus letter from your current insurer – it shows the number of claim-free years and is used by the new insurer to apply the discount.

What is the minimum car insurance required in Ireland?

Third-party insurance is the legal minimum – it covers damage or injury to others but not your own vehicle.

Is car insurance cheaper for older drivers in Ireland?

Generally yes – drivers over 50 with long no claims histories often see lower premiums, though age alone isn’t the only factor.

Can I cancel a car insurance policy after getting a quote?

You can cancel a policy after purchase, but you may be charged an administration fee and you’ll need to provide proof of new cover.