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How to choose the right car insurance for you

How to choose the right car insurance for you

There’s no single “best” car insurance policy. The right cover depends on your individual needs, budget and driving circumstances. With GMIB.ie, you can compare quotes from 14 insurers in one search and receive a Quick Quote in under 60 seconds. If an instant quote isn't available, one of our agents will review your details and contact you with suitable options.

Six things decide whether a policy is right for you. Check each one on every quote before you compare prices.

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What to look for beyond the price

1. The level of cover. Third party pays only for other people’s injuries and property. Third party, fire and theft adds your own car if it is stolen or burnt. Comprehensive adds accidental damage to your own car, whoever is at fault. The question is what the car is worth and whether you could replace it yourself after an accident you caused. Our third party, fire and theft and comprehensive pages go into each.

2. The excess. The first part of any claim you pay yourself. Check the standard excess, and whether a higher voluntary excess has been used to lower the price. You cannot claim for anything below it, so it should be an amount you could pay on the day.

3. No-claims bonus protection. An optional extra that keeps your bonus after a claim. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the State’s consumer watchdog, advises checking the policy documents for exclusions: some policies protect the bonus only for fire and theft claims, or for a limited number of claims over a set period. Weigh its cost against the size of the discount it protects.

4. The extras. Windscreen and glass cover, breakdown and recovery, driving other cars, driver personal accident cover and items stolen from the car vary between insurers, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) notes, and some, such as personal belongings and breakdown cover, are not standard. Some quotes include them and some do not. Decide which you would use, then compare quotes that include the same ones.

5. The conditions. Who may drive the car, what it may be used for, where it is kept at night, and what is excluded. Under the Consumer Protection Code, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) says, the insurer must issue the policy document within five working days of cover starting, and you have a 14-day cooling-off period after agreeing to buy. Read the document in that window.

6. How the insurer handles claims. Price tells you nothing about this. The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman publishes an annual overview of complaints and names every provider that had three or more complaints upheld, substantially upheld or partially upheld against it in the year. In 2025 motor insurance drew 968 complaints to the FSPO, the largest insurance category. Across all insurance complaints, claim handling and claim rejection were the two biggest causes. Check the FSPO’s list before you choose, and ask how a claim is reported and whether repairs go through approved repairers with a courtesy car.

Compare cover from 14 different insurers

The same details go to 14 different insurers, and the quotes that come back can differ on any of the six points above, not just on price. Compare them with the same cover level, the same excess and the same extras, and the lowest price for that cover is the right one for you. Answer every question honestly and with reasonable care: the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) warns that a policy can be cancelled for undisclosed details, and cover is then harder to get.

If price is the pressing question, our cheap car insurance page covers what moves a premium. If you have penalty points, a conviction or a claims history, start with our penalty points or convicted drivers pages and one of our agents will check which of the panel will quote. To talk it through, call 0818 92 92 42, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm.

Sources: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) – car insurance; FSPO – Overview of Complaints 2025; Citizens Information – motor insurance. Last reviewed September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the best car insurance company in Ireland?

    There is no single one. The insurer that suits a 50-year-old with a full bonus and a family car is not the one that suits a 22-year-old on a first policy, and the same insurer can be right for one person and wrong for the next. Judge each quote on the six points on this page, and use the FSPO’s annual list of providers with complaints upheld, in whole or in part, as a check on claims record.

  • Which insurer offers the best value comprehensive cover for a family car?

    The best car insurance isn't always the cheapest. True value comes from getting the level of cover you need at a competitive price. When comparing quotes, make sure you're looking at like-for-like cover, including the same excess and optional extras. By comparing quotes from 14 insurers in one search, GMIB.ie makes it easier to see which policy offers the best overall value for your circumstances.

  • Which car insurers are rated best for claims handling?

    There is no official rating. The nearest thing is the list in section 7 of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman’s annual Overview of Complaints, which names every provider with three or more complaints upheld, substantially upheld or partially upheld in the year, ordered by the total. It leaves out any decision under appeal at the time of publication, so a clean year does not prove one, and a listed provider may have handled thousands of claims without complaint. Use it as one check among the six on this page.

  • Is comprehensive cover always the better choice?

    Not necessarily. Comprehensive cover provides the highest level of protection, including cover for damage to your own car if you're at fault in an accident. However, it may not always represent the best value.

    If your vehicle is older or has a lower market value, the additional premium and excess could outweigh the amount you might receive in the event of a claim. In these cases, Third Party, Fire & Theft cover may offer a more cost-effective solution. The right choice depends on your car's value, your budget, and how much risk you're comfortable taking on yourself.

  • Is no-claims bonus protection worth paying for?

    No-claims bonus protection can be worthwhile, particularly if you've built up a significant discount over several claim-free years. It helps protect your no-claims bonus if you need to make a claim, reducing the impact on future premiums.

    However, it's important to check the policy details carefully. Cover can vary between insurers, with some policies protecting your bonus only in certain circumstances or allowing only a limited number of claims within a set period. Some insurers also offer step-back protection, where your discount is reduced rather than lost entirely following a claim.

    Before paying for this optional extra, consider the value of the discount you're protecting and whether the additional cost represents good value for you.

  • What extras should I look for on a car insurance policy?

    Focus on the extras you're most likely to use. Common optional benefits include windscreen cover, breakdown assistance, personal belongings cover, courtesy car cover, and no-claims bonus protection.

    When comparing quotes, check exactly which extras are included. A policy that costs less because it excludes benefits you may need isn't necessarily better value. For example, without windscreen or breakdown cover, you'll have to pay those costs yourself if you need to make a claim or call for assistance.

    To compare policies fairly, make sure you're looking at like-for-like cover, including the same extras, excess and level of protection.

  • Can I cancel a car insurance policy if I change my mind?

    Yes. You have a 14-day cooling-off period after agreeing to buy, and the insurer must make that clear to you and issue the policy document within five working days of cover starting. Use those days to read the document; if it is not what you expected, you can cancel within the period, and ask about any charge or short-period premium before you do.

  • What are the best options for a high-risk driver or someone with recent claims?

    Every insurer has its own underwriting criteria, so the options available will depend on your individual circumstances. If you have penalty points, a driving conviction or a claims history, simply enter your details and we'll check the options available from our panel of 14 insurers. Where an instant quote isn't available, one of our team will review your details and contact you with suitable cover options.

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