Home Insurance – Finnegan Insurance

Home Insurance Ireland | Finnegan Insurance

Types of Home Insurance

Choose the right coverage to protect your home and belongings

Buildings Insurance

Offers financial protection for the unexpected expense of rebuilding the structure of your home if it is damaged.

Covers the structure of your home
Protects roof, walls, and permanent fixtures
Required by most mortgage lenders
Covers fire, flood, and storm damage
Includes subsidence (policy dependent)

Contents Insurance

Covers your personal property within your home, should it be damaged or destroyed in an insured event.

Protects furniture and electronics
Covers clothing and valuables
Theft and damage protection
Replacement cost coverage available
Optional personal belongings cover

Buildings & Contents Combined

Comprehensive protection combining both buildings and contents insurance with additional benefits.

Complete home protection
Emergency home assistance
Liability cover up to €3,000,000
Fire brigade charges included
Optional accidental damage cover

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive protection for your most valuable asset

Natural Disasters

Protection against storms, floods, lightning, and other "acts of God"

Fire & Smoke Damage

Full coverage for fire-related incidents and smoke damage

Theft & Vandalism

Protection against burglary, theft, and malicious damage

Water Damage

Coverage for burst pipes and water-related damage

Accidental Damage

Optional cover for unexpected accidents in your home

Personal Liability

Protection if someone is injured on your property

Guide for New Homeowners in Ireland

1. Is Home Insurance Mandatory in Ireland?

Home insurance itself is not legally mandatory in Ireland. However, if you're taking out a mortgage to purchase your home, your lender will require you to have buildings insurance before drawing down the loan. This ensures that the property—the collateral for the loan—is protected against damages like fire, flood, and storm.

                    Important: Arrange your home insurance policy in advance of closing the sale, with the policy to take effect from the planned signing date. Your mortgage provider will require proof of insurance before funds are released.
                

2. Calculating Your Rebuild Cost

One of the most critical aspects of buildings insurance is determining the rebuild cost of your home. This is not the market value of the property but the amount it would take to rebuild your house from scratch.

You can use the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) online calculator to estimate this cost, or a professional surveyor can provide a precise figure. If you're upgrading, extending, or making structural changes, it's important to review your insurance coverage.

3. Additional Considerations

New-Build Properties: If you're buying a newly built home, it may come with a HomeBond guarantee, which covers certain structural defects for up to 10 years. However, this is not a replacement for home insurance, and you'll still need to arrange a separate policy.

Contents Insurance: Consider adding contents insurance to protect your personal belongings once you move in. Many new homeowners invest in electronics and furniture for their new property, making contents insurance a valuable addition.

Flood Risk Areas: Some policies might exclude flood or subsidence damage if the property is in a high-risk zone, so always ensure your policy matches the risks associated with your location.

4. What to Do in Case of a Claim

In the unfortunate event of a claim, it's essential to act quickly:

Document the damage with photos and notes
Report the incident to your insurer as soon as possible
Keep records of any temporary repairs or emergency expenses
Contact Finnegan Insurance for guidance and support throughout the process

Fast and Simple Claims Process

We're here to support you every step of the way

Report Your Claim

Assessment

We'll appoint a loss adjuster to assess the damage and guide you through the process.

Resolution

We advocate on your behalf to ensure fair settlement and get you back on track quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is home insurance a legal requirement? +

No, home insurance is not a legal requirement in Ireland, but it may be required by your mortgage lender when taking out a loan. Nearly all mortgage providers require buildings insurance as a condition of the loan.

Is my home covered by "an act of God"? +

Yes, your insurance company will pay out if you are affected by bad weather, erosion, or other natural disasters. This typically includes storms, floods, lightning, and similar events beyond your control.

How much home insurance do I need? +

This depends on several factors, including the rebuild cost of your home, the value of your contents, and potential liability risks. Use the SCSI calculator or consult with our experts to determine the appropriate coverage level.

Can I get home insurance as a renter? +

Yes, this is called renter's insurance or contents-only insurance. Since you don't own the building, you don't need buildings insurance, but you should protect your personal belongings with contents insurance.

What is 'limited' accidental damage? +

For buildings insurance, it covers any fixed element of the home (e.g., breaking the kitchen sink). For contents insurance, it covers anything that is not portable (e.g., breaking a TV). Full accidental damage cover is also available.

Is my mobile phone covered by home insurance? +

Under contents insurance, your mobile phone may be covered for damages in the home. For cover outside the home, you may be able to add 'personal belongings' cover to your policy for an additional premium.

What factors affect my insurance premium? +

Insurance premiums are influenced by factors like the location of your home, its age and construction, your claims history, coverage amounts, and the chosen deductible. Discounts may be available for safety features and bundled policies.

Why Choose Finnegan Insurance?

Expert guidance and access to Ireland's leading insurers

Access to More Options

As an insurance broker, we have access to a wide range of insurance companies—often 40 or more. This broad access allows us to find better coverage options tailored to your specific needs.

Expert Advice

We provide professional, unbiased advice based on extensive knowledge and market experience. We help you understand policy details and ensure appropriate coverage.

Claims Support

In the event of a claim, we advocate on your behalf, helping compile documentation and negotiate with insurers to achieve fair settlements.

Get Your Home Insurance Quote Today

We're here to help you find the best home insurance coverage for your needs

Call us: +353 9096 79237

Email: info@finneganinsurance.com

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