Needing Car Insurance in Ireland

Obtaining car insurance in Ireland can be difficult, whether you are new to the country or have lived there your whole life. Ireland has dozens of car insurance companies that can cover your automobile from damage from accidents, disasters and crime. Driving in Ireland can be scary to many as, the steering wheel is on the left, which is different than many American cars. Whether shopping for long-term car insurance or short-term car insurance (I.e, needing to drive an auto while on vacation or visiting Ireland), there are many companies that offer cheap rates to those looking to insure any kind of vehicle.

 Most insurance carriers in Ireland prefer to insure those over the age of 21, as the premiums are much cheaper at this age. Drivers under the age of 21 (and over the age of 70) in Ireland are much more likely to have higher rates than other drivers. Ireland has very strict driving policies, with drivers only being allowed to drive 30 MPH in the city and 60-90 MPH on the highways. Younger drivers tend to take advantage of the fast driving on open roads, but forget to tame it down on the city roads. For this reason many younger drivers receive more tickets than older drivers. With auto insurance companies giving significant breaks to those that have clean driving records it is very important to keep free of any tickets and accidents while driving in Ireland.

 Ireland requires all drivers to have insurance coverage on their vehicles. Different vehicles will make different rate premiums. A sedan will likely have a lower rate than a sports car or luxury car would. Most likely this is because an older sedan will be paid off and the owner will not need to have full coverage on the vehicle. A vehicle that is still being paid for will require comprehensive coverage, liability coverage, collision, uninsured driver, roadside assistance and many of the other extras that insurance companies offer. If you have an older car you are most likely to only put the minimum amount of coverage that is required by Ireland and just enough coverage to cover the price of the car’s value.

 Also, many car insurance companies in Ireland offer short-term insurance rates. Basically a car insurance company will cover a driver and car if they only need the coverage while on vacation, for school or another short purpose. This type of insurance can be quite expensive, so researching it is the best option.