Shopping for car insurance in Ireland can feel like a guessing game — prices vary wildly, and the cheapest option for your neighbour might not work for you. But the difference between a good deal and a bad one often comes down to knowing where to look and what levers to pull.

4 related posts

Average annual premium (2025): €650 ·
Insurers compared on bonkers.ie: 12+ ·
Typical savings by switching: €150–€300 per year ·
Cheapest provider (safe drivers): Aviva Zero

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Which insurer is cheapest for every driver profile — it varies widely by age, location and history.
  • Long-term customer satisfaction with RedClick’s claims handling remains mixed.
3Timeline signal
  • Motor premiums rose for the third consecutive year; average reached €655 in H1 2025 (Switcher.ie)
  • Central Bank of Ireland published its mid-year private motor premium report on 7 May 2025 (A&L Goodbody, Irish law firm)
4What’s next
  • Comparison sites are adding more telematics options — watch for new usage-based policies.
  • Regulatory pressure on pricing transparency may make quotes easier to compare.

Five key figures summarise the 2025 Irish car insurance landscape at a glance.

Metric Value
Average annual premium €650 (2025)
Cheapest insurer Aviva Zero (for qualifying drivers)
Number of comparison sites 5+ major platforms
Savings from switching €150–€300 per year
Highest cost factor Location and driving history

Who is the cheapest for car insurance in Ireland?

Several providers compete for the lowest price, but the answer depends heavily on your driver profile. Based on published rates and comparison data, here is how the main players stack up.

Overview of cheapest providers

  • AIG Ireland advertises car insurance starting from €280 — excluding levies and subject to a 3.95% levy (AIG Ireland, direct insurer).
  • Zurich Ireland offers up to 29% online discount with a minimum premium of €285, valid until 31 January 2027 (Zurich Ireland, insurer).
  • Money Guide Ireland’s small online survey from May 2023 showed 123 cheapest at €279, followed by Liberty €383, Aviva €434, Zurich €498 and AXA €585 (Money Guide Ireland, personal finance site).

Aviva Zero as the lowest-cost option

  • Aviva Zero is frequently cited as the cheapest car insurance in Ireland for drivers who qualify — it uses telematics to track driving behaviour and reward safe habits with lower premiums (Switcher.ie).
  • The direct-to-consumer model and lower overheads keep base prices competitive.
The catch

Aviva Zero’s cheapest rates are conditional on consistently safe driving. One hard brake or speeding event can raise your premium at renewal.

The implication: the cheapest provider is not a fixed name — it shifts based on your driving profile and willingness to share data.

What is the average price of car insurance in Ireland?

Premiums have been climbing for three years. Knowing the national average helps you benchmark any quote you receive.

Average cost breakdown by region

  • National average: €650–€655 per year in the first half of 2025 (Switcher.ie).
  • Dublin drivers typically pay above average — around €750+ — due to higher traffic density and claim risk.
  • Rural areas average €550–€600.

Factors influencing premiums

  • Location (county-level risk rating), age, driving history, penalty points, vehicle make and model, annual mileage, and chosen excess all affect the final figure.
  • The Central Bank of Ireland’s 2025 mid-year report highlighted that private motor insurance remains the most volatile consumer line (A&L Goodbody, law firm summarising Central Bank data).
Bottom line: Irish car insurance averaged €650 in 2025. Dublin drivers should expect quotes 15–20% higher than the national average. Anyone receiving a quote above €800 should shop around immediately.

How to reduce car insurance in Ireland?

Small adjustments can lower your premium by hundreds of euros. Here are six proven levers.

Increase voluntary excess

  • Raising your voluntary excess by €100 can reduce your premium by up to 15% (Switcher.ie).

Add named drivers with clean records

  • Adding an experienced named driver (e.g., a parent or spouse with a clean license) can lower the risk rating and reduce costs.

Choose a lower-risk vehicle

  • Cars with smaller engines (1.0–1.4L), lower insurance groups, and strong safety ratings attract cheaper premiums.

Limit annual mileage

  • Driving fewer than 10,000 km per year qualifies for low-mileage discounts from most insurers.
  1. Compare quotes on at least three sites – Use Chill, bonkers, QuoteDevil, Campion and GMIB to see a wide range.
  2. Review your policy details – Check if you’re paying for extras you don’t need (e.g., legal cover, courtesy car).
  3. Increase voluntary excess – A €250–€500 excess can cut premium significantly.
  4. Add a named driver – One with a clean record and 5+ years experience.
  5. Drive less or declare lower mileage – Be honest; insurers check odometer at claims.
  6. Check for penalty points – Points increase cost; resolve any errors with RSA (How to Check Penalty Points in Ireland: RSA Guide).
Why this matters

Irish drivers who actively manage these levers save an average of €150–€300 per year — enough to cover a full tank of fuel every month.

The pattern: each lever is small on its own, but combined they can cut your premium by a quarter or more.

Why is Aviva Zero so cheap?

Aviva Zero’s pricing stands out because it breaks from traditional risk-pooling. Instead of estimating your risk based on demographic averages, it measures your actual driving.

How Aviva Zero pricing works

  • Aviva Zero uses telematics (a small device or smartphone app) to track speed, braking, cornering and time of day.
  • Safe drivers earn discounts that can make Aviva Zero the cheapest option on the market (Switcher.ie).

Usage-based insurance model

  • Lower overheads from a direct-to-consumer model (no broker commissions) contribute to lower base premiums.
  • The model also encourages safer driving, which reduces overall claim costs for the insurer.

The trade-off: aggressive driving or late-night trips can increase your premium. Aviva Zero is best suited to low-risk, predictable drivers.

The catch: if your driving habits change, your premium can rise at renewal — the discount is earned, not guaranteed.

Who is the best company to get car insurance with?

“Best” depends on what you value most — rock-bottom price, customer service, or smooth claims handling. Here’s how the leading insurers compare.

Criteria for ‘best’ (price, service, claims handling)

A comparison of the main Irish comparison platforms shows what each offers.

Five major comparison sites, each with a slightly different panel of insurers — the key difference is breadth versus depth.

Platform Insurers on panel Claimed average saving Telematics options
Chill Insurance 14 €230 Yes (Aviva Zero)
Bonkers.ie 12+ Not specified Yes
QuoteDevil 10+ Not specified Limited
Campion Insurance 8+ Not specified Yes
GMIB.ie 10+ Not specified Selective

Upsides

  • Comparison sites save time: one form, multiple quotes.
  • Chill Insurance claims customers save €230 on average when switching (Chill Insurance).
  • An Post Insurance compares just 4 insurers (Aviva, Allianz, AIG, FBD) but may offer curated pricing (An Post Insurance, Irish postal insurer).

Downsides

  • Not all insurers appear on every site — you need to check multiple platforms.
  • Some comparison sites show only one quote per insurer; you might get a better deal going direct.
  • Telematics policies like Aviva Zero require app installation and data sharing.

What this means: the “best” insurer is the one that matches your driving profile and service expectations — no single company wins across all categories.

Confirmed facts & what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Aviva Zero uses telematics to lower premiums for safe drivers.
  • Irish average car insurance premium is around €650.
  • Comparison sites Chill, bonkers, QuoteDevil, Campion and GMIB allow quote comparison.
  • Claiming no claims discount of 6+ years can save over €700 with Chill (Chill Insurance).
  • Zurich offers up to 29% online discount with minimum €285 premium (Zurich Ireland).

What’s unclear

  • Which insurer is cheapest for every driver profile — varies widely.
  • Long-term customer satisfaction with RedClick claims handling is mixed.
  • Whether Aviva Zero’s low rates will persist as more drivers join the telematics pool.

Expert perspectives on comparing car insurance

“The best way to find cheap car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple providers — don’t just accept the first renewal quote. Switching can save you hundreds.”

— Consumer editor, Which? (UK consumer advocacy group)

“Aviva Zero’s pricing is based on how you drive, not who you are. That means safe drivers — regardless of age — can get a genuinely low premium.”

— Aviva spokesperson, quoted by Switcher.ie

“When you compare car insurance, look beyond the headline price. Check the excess, the cover limits and any exclusions. The cheapest quote isn’t always the best value.”

— Analyst, NerdWallet (personal finance site)

For Irish drivers, the message is consistent: compare, question the details, and don’t set and forget. The average saving of €150–€300 per year from switching is real — but only if you act. Whether you choose a direct insurer like AIG or Zurich, or a telematics policy from Aviva Zero, the trade-off is clear: you can pay for assumed risk, or you can prove you’re a safe driver and pocket the difference.

Additional sources

inaza.com, reddit.com, centralbank.ie, tiktok.com, eyfs.ie, x.com

Drivers looking to save money can compare car insurance quotes Ireland and find the lowest prices available in 2025.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to switch car insurance every year?

Yes — sticking with the same insurer often costs you more. Loyalty discounts are rare in Ireland. Comparing quotes at renewal can save €150–€300 per year (Switcher.ie).

Can I get car insurance without a registration number?

Yes, most comparison sites let you get a quote using the make, model and year of the car. A registration number gives a more accurate price but is not essential.

What documents are needed for a car insurance quote in Ireland?

You typically need your driver’s licence number, vehicle registration (or details), no-claims discount proof, and details of any penalty points.

Does increasing voluntary excess always lower premiums?

Generally yes — raising your excess by €100 can cut premium by up to 15% (Switcher.ie). But make sure you can afford the excess if you need to claim.

How do I compare car insurance quotes without giving personal details?

Some comparison sites allow anonymous browsing. However, to get a binding quote you’ll need to provide personal details. Use a secondary email if you prefer.

Are car insurance brokers cheaper than direct providers?

Not always. Brokers like Chill compare multiple insurers, which can find a better deal than going direct to one company. But some direct insurers (e.g., AIG, Aviva Zero) offer competitive rates without broker fees.

Does Aviva Zero have a mileage limit?

Aviva Zero does not have a fixed mileage limit, but lower mileage typically leads to lower premiums because it reduces risk exposure. Check the policy terms for any usage caps.

What is the difference between comprehensive and third-party cover?

Comprehensive covers damage to your own car and the other party’s. Third-party only covers damage you cause to others. Comprehensive is usually required for financed cars and often costs only slightly more than third-party.

Related reading: What Do I Need for NCT? Complete Guide & Checklist 2026 — your NCT pass is often needed to keep your insurance valid. Also check How to Check Penalty Points in Ireland: RSA Guide — points directly impact your premium.