Home Insurance
"I thought I was fully covered."
Most home insurance policyholders discover their coverage gaps when they make a claim. ClearTerms finds them before that happens.
Check My Home Insurance →The exclusions that catch Irish homeowners off guard
Irish home insurance policies follow standard wordings — but the exceptions and conditions buried in them can leave you significantly exposed.
Flood and Surface Water
Standard buildings cover excludes surface water flooding in most policies. If your property is in a flood risk area (check OPW flood maps), you may have no cover for the most likely risk. We surface the exact flood exclusion language and what it means for you.
Subsidence and Ground Movement
Subsidence is typically a named exclusion or subject to a specific excess 10–20 times the standard excess. Many policyholders don't realise they have effectively no cover for structural movement until they make a claim.
Escape of Water
Burst pipes and leaks are covered — but often with conditions. The damage must be sudden and unforeseen. Gradual leaks, slow deterioration, or damage from unresolved maintenance issues are frequently excluded. We find the exact condition language.
Accidental Damage Scope
"Accidental damage" cover varies enormously between policies. Some cover only sudden physical damage; others exclude anything in gardens, garages, or outbuildings. We tell you exactly what your accidental damage cover actually includes.
Unoccupied Property Conditions
Most home insurance policies reduce or remove cover if your property is unoccupied for more than 30 or 60 days. Holiday homes, properties under renovation, and extended travel create significant exposure that most policyholders overlook.
Underinsurance (The Average Clause)
If your sum insured is below the SCSI rebuild cost estimate for your property, the average clause applies — your insurer pays only the proportion of the claim that matches your cover ratio. On a 50% underinsured property, a €50,000 claim becomes a €25,000 payout.
Common questions about home insurance analysis
What documents should I upload?
Your full policy document (the booklet, not just the schedule). This contains the exclusions, conditions, and definitions that the schedule refers to. The schedule alone is not sufficient for a complete analysis.
How do I know if I'm underinsured?
Your sum insured should reflect the rebuild cost of your property — not the market value or purchase price. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) publishes annual rebuild cost guides. ClearTerms flags if your sum insured appears significantly low relative to typical rebuild costs for your property type.
Can I use ClearTerms to compare policies?
Yes. Analyse both policies, compare the findings, and make an informed decision. Pay particular attention to exclusions and conditions — cheaper premiums often reflect weaker cover.
What if I disagree with my insurer's decision?
The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) is the free dispute resolution service for insurance complaints in Ireland. ClearTerms can help you identify the specific clause your insurer relied on to reject your claim.
Find your coverage gaps before you need to make a claim
Upload your home insurance policy and get a full analysis in under a minute.
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