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[AskCI](https://www.askcitizensinformation.ie/) **You are here:** [Home](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/) \> [Money and Tax](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/) \> [Personal finance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/) \> [Insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/) \> Types of insurance # Types of insurance - [Introduction](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#2473e9) - [Home insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#6b1ee9) - [Travel insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#fab094) - [Mortgage protection insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#30c11a) - [Health insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#d4c636) - [Motor insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#17884f) - [Life insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#960572) - [Complaints](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#527dce) - [Further information](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#ec2268) ## Introduction Insurance is a way of protecting yourself from possible losses, for example, in the event of damage to your property or your health. A premium is the amount of money you pay to an insurance company for an insurance policy that will cover you for these costs. Insurance companies assess the risk on a particular policy and then calculate the premium to be charged. You usually pay a premium monthly or annually. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has [information that explains how different types of insurance work](https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/money/insurance/) and gives [advice on how to make an insurance claim](https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/money/insurance/making-an-insurance-claim/). Insurance policies are generally renewed once a year. Coming up to renewal date, you should shop around to see if you are getting the best value for money. Different policies have different terms and conditions, so make sure you know what the terms and conditions of your policy are. It is important to understand exactly what your insurance policy covers when you buy it. ## Home insurance You are not required by law to insure your home but, if you have a mortgage, most lenders will insist that your home is insured. Home insurance can cover the contents as well as the structure of your home. However, you can get insurance for the contents of your home separately from insurance for the building, for example, if you are renting and do not own your home. The CCPC has detailed [information on home insurance](https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/money/insurance/home-insurance/). ## Travel insurance Travel insurance can cover you if you become ill or have an accident while you are on holidays or travelling. If you are travelling within the [EEA or Switzerland](https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/unplanned-healthcare/going-to-doctor-hospital-abroad/index_en.htm), you can get a [European Health Insurance Card](https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/ehic/) that allows you to access public health care. Travel insurance can cover additional services such as private healthcare. You can [find out more about travel insurance](https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/money/insurance/travel-insurance) and other [things to consider when travelling abroad](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel-and-recreation/travel-abroad/travelling-abroad-during-covid/). ## Mortgage protection insurance If you take out a mortgage, you will usually be required to take out mortgage protection insurance. You should also think about how to continue repayments if your income falls due to illness, unemployment or other reasons. You can [find out more about insurance protection on mortgages](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/owning-a-home/buying-a-home/insurance-protection-on-mortgages/). ## Health insurance You can get insurance to cover the cost of private healthcare. This can cover the cost of treatment in hospital and outpatient expenses. [Find out more about health insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/health-system/private-health-insurance/). ## Motor insurance It is illegal to drive on Irish roads without motor insurance that will compensate someone for damages in an accident you cause. You can also get motor insurance that covers your vehicle in case of fire or theft or an accident. [Find out more about motor insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel-and-recreation/motoring/motor-tax-and-insurance/motor-insurance/). ## Life insurance A life insurance policy can provide money for your dependants if you die. It can be for a specific period of time, called term life insurance, or it can be a whole of life policy. The CCPC has detailed [information about life insurance](https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/money/insurance/life-insurance/). ## Complaints If you have problems with an insurer, you should first take this up with the customer service department of the insurer (or your broker/agent if you are using one). The [Central Bank of Ireland enforces](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/financial-products/your-rights-when-buying-financial-products/#75f126) the [Consumer Protection Code](https://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-code) for financial services providers (including insurers and brokers). The code sets out how they deal with their customers. The Central Bank of Ireland has a [consumer guide to the Code](https://www.centralbank.ie/consumer-hub/consumer-protection-code). If you cannot resolve your problem or if you are not satisfied with how your complaint is being handled, you can take your complaint to the [Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman](https://www.fspo.ie/). The Ombudsman is an independent, statutory body that can investigate your complaint. [Read more about making a complaint about financial services](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/how-to-complain/complain-about-financial-services/). ## Further information ### Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Bloom House Railway Street Dublin 1 D01 C576 **Opening Hours:** Lines open Monday–Friday, from 9am–6pm **Tel:** (01) 402 5555 **Homepage:** <http://www.ccpc.ie> ### Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman 3rd Floor Lincoln House Lincoln Place Dublin 2 D02 VH29 Ireland **Tel:** (01) 567 7000 **Homepage:** <http://www.fspo.ie/> **Email:** [info@fspo.ie](mailto:info@fspo.ie) ***Page edited:** 14 October 2024* ### Related documents - [Different types of workers](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/types-of-employment/different-types-of-workers/) An outline of the different types of employment and how this affects your employment rights. 823\.7669 - [Types of witnesses](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/witnesses/types-of-witnesses/) Page describing the different types of witnesses that can be called in a court of law in Ireland. 807\.06506 - [Types of sentences](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/criminal-law/criminal-trial/types-of-sentences/) There are a range of sentences available to judges that can be imposed on someone found guilty of a criminal offence. 690\.5059 ### Contact Us If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on [0818 07 4000](tel:0818074000) (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm). You can also contact your local [Citizens Information Centre](http://centres.citizensinformation.ie/). ## Find information on... *** - [Health](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/) - [Social Welfare](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social-welfare/) - [Employment](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/) - [Money and Tax](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/) - [Moving Country](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving-country/) - [Returning to Ireland](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/returning-to-ireland/) - [Housing](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/) - [Education and Training](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/) - [Travel and Recreation](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel-and-recreation/) - [Environment](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/environment/) - [Consumer](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/) - [Government in Ireland](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government-in-ireland/) - [Death and Bereavement](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/death/) - [Family and Relationships](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/birth-family-relationships/) - [Justice](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/) ## [About](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/about) *** - [Volunteer with Citizens Information](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/volunteer-with-citizens-information/) - [About Citizens Information](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/citizens-information-about/) - [Accessibility Statement](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/accessibility/) - [Guide to accessibility tools](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/guide-to-accessibility-tools/) - [Contact us](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/contact-us/) - [CIS Complaints Policy](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/cis-complaints-policy/) - [CIS Customer Charter](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/cis-customer-charter/) - [Cookie notice](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/cookies/) - [Disclaimer](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/disclaimer/) - [Send feedback about citizensinformation.ie](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/feedback/) - [Privacy statement](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/privacy/) - [Re-use of Public Sector Information](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/reuse-psi/) - [About AskCI](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/about/about-askci/) *** - [Phone CIPS 0818 07 4000](tel:0818074000) - [Visit your local CIC](http://centres.citizensinformation.ie/) - [View our publications](http://www.citizensinformationboard.ie/en/publications/) - [Money Advice and Budgeting Service](https://www.mabs.ie/) - [National Advocacy Service](http://www.citizensinformationboard.ie/en/services/advocacy/) - [Sign Language Interpreting Service](http://slis.ie/) [](http://www.citizensinformationboard.ie/) *** ## Manage cookie preferences [Manage preferences](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#modal_cookies) 

- [Introduction](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#2473e9) - [Home insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#6b1ee9) - [Travel insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#fab094) - [Mortgage protection insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#30c11a) - [Health insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#d4c636) - [Motor insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#17884f) - [Life insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#960572) - [Complaints](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#527dce) - [Further information](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/insurance/insurance/#ec2268) Introduction Insurance is a way of protecting yourself from possible losses, for example, in the event of damage to your property or your health. A premium is the amount of money you pay to an insurance company for an insurance policy that will cover you for these costs. Insurance companies assess the risk on a particular policy and then calculate the premium to be charged. You usually pay a premium monthly or annually. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has [information that explains how different types of insurance work](https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/money/insurance/) and gives [advice on how to make an insurance claim](https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/money/insurance/making-an-insurance-claim/). Insurance policies are generally renewed once a year. Coming up to renewal date, you should shop around to see if you are getting the best value for money. Different policies have different terms and conditions, so make sure you know what the terms and conditions of your policy are. It is important to understand exactly what your insurance policy covers when you buy it. Home insurance You are not required by law to insure your home but, if you have a mortgage, most lenders will insist that your home is insured. Home insurance can cover the contents as well as the structure of your home. However, you can get insurance for the contents of your home separately from insurance for the building, for example, if you are renting and do not own your home. The CCPC has detailed [information on home insurance](https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/money/insurance/home-insurance/). Travel insurance Mortgage protection insurance If you take out a mortgage, you will usually be required to take out mortgage protection insurance. You should also think about how to continue repayments if your income falls due to illness, unemployment or other reasons. You can [find out more about insurance protection on mortgages](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/owning-a-home/buying-a-home/insurance-protection-on-mortgages/). Health insurance Motor insurance It is illegal to drive on Irish roads without motor insurance that will compensate someone for damages in an accident you cause. You can also get motor insurance that covers your vehicle in case of fire or theft or an accident. [Find out more about motor insurance](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel-and-recreation/motoring/motor-tax-and-insurance/motor-insurance/). Life insurance A life insurance policy can provide money for your dependants if you die. It can be for a specific period of time, called term life insurance, or it can be a whole of life policy. The CCPC has detailed [information about life insurance](https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/money/insurance/life-insurance/). Complaints Further information ***Page edited:** 14 October 2024*