Step 1: Time Your Switch to the Renewal Date
The cheapest and cleanest way to switch is at your renewal date. Cancelling mid-term triggers short-rate cancellation fees — most Irish insurers retain more than the pro-rata premium for the period remaining, effectively penalising you for leaving early.
Start your research 30–45 days before your renewal date. This gives you enough time to compare quotes, request your NCB certificate, and confirm new cover before the renewal deadline.
Timing
Set a calendar reminder 45 days before your renewal date. Insurers are required to send renewal notices at least 20 days in advance — use that window to compare options rather than accepting the renewal by default.
Step 2: Get Your No-Claims Bonus Certificate
Before you can get accurate quotes from new insurers, you need a no-claims bonus (NCB) certificate from your current insurer showing your validated NCB years. Request this when you start shopping — not at the last minute.
Key points about NCB when switching:
- The NCB certificate must be issued by your current insurer — it cannot be self-declared
- Most Irish insurers accept NCB from other EU insurers, but may require additional verification
- An NCB earned on a company fleet policy is generally not transferable to a personal policy
- Protected NCB does not guarantee the same premium — only that the bonus level itself is preserved
Step 3: Compare Like for Like
Do not compare headline premiums alone. When reviewing quotes, ensure you are comparing equivalent cover:
- Same or comparable total excess (compulsory + voluntary)
- Same cover level (e.g., comprehensive vs. third-party for motor)
- Same optional extras (legal expenses, breakdown, all-risks for contents)
- Same sum insured values
A quote that is €150 cheaper but carries a €500 higher compulsory excess is not necessarily better value — depending on your claim history and risk tolerance.
Step 4: Notify Your Current Insurer
Once you have confirmed new cover, notify your current insurer in writing that you are not renewing. Keep a record — an email or letter — as evidence that the policy was not auto-renewed.
If your policy auto-renews and you do not notify them in time, you may be liable for a short-term premium on the new policy period even if you immediately cancel it. Check your policy for the specific notification deadline.
Important
Never cancel your existing cover before the new policy is confirmed and active. Even one day without valid motor insurance in Ireland is a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act 1961.
Step 5: Confirm New Cover Documentation
Before the renewal date passes, confirm you have received:
- Your new policy schedule (check all details are correct)
- A certificate of insurance (motor) or policy document (home)
- Direct debit confirmation if paying monthly
For motor insurance in Ireland, the certificate of insurance is the legal proof of cover and must be carried in the vehicle or accessible electronically. The disc (if still required) should be displayed as soon as received.
What If Your Claim History Makes Switching Difficult?
Insurers share claims data through the Insurance Link database in Ireland. If you have a recent at-fault claim or a history of multiple claims, some insurers may decline to quote or apply a significant loading.
In this situation:
- Specialist brokers can access markets not available on comparison sites
- Declared claims up to five years old typically affect pricing — older claims may be discounted by some insurers
- High-risk drivers may find that a specialist insurer's higher premium still beats a standard insurer's loaded renewal
Switching Home Insurance
The same principles apply, with two additional points:
- Mortgage requirement: If you have a mortgage, your lender has an interest in your buildings insurance. Notify them when you switch and provide the new insurer's details. Most lenders require that they are noted as an interested party on the policy.
- Reinstatement value review: Use a switch as an opportunity to verify your buildings sum insured against current SCSI rebuild cost figures. Underinsured policies do not improve by switching — they carry the problem to the new insurer.