In addition to health and car insurance, many households in Ireland incur further insurance costs related to housing, belongings, and financial commitments. These policies add to monthly living expenses and are often overlooked when estimating the true cost of living.
This page outlines typical home insurance costs and other common insurance policies in Ireland, showing how they commonly appear in household budgets.
- Overview: insurance as a living cost category
- Home insurance costs
- What home insurance typically covers
- Renters and contents insurance
- Life insurance and mortgage-related policies
- Other common insurance policies
- How these insurance costs affect monthly living expenses
- Summary
Overview: Insurance as a Living Cost Category
Insurance costs outside of health and motor cover tend to be:
- Paid monthly or annually
- Tied to housing status, family situation, or travel
- Individually moderate but significant in combination
Because these policies are often set up once and renewed automatically, they are easy to underestimate when assessing total monthly living costs.
Home Insurance Costs
Home insurance is required by most mortgage providers and is commonly held by homeowners and renters.
Typical Monthly Home Insurance Costs
- Buildings insurance (homeowners): €30 – €50
- Contents insurance (renters): €10 – €20
- Combined buildings and contents: €40 – €70
Premiums vary based on property value, location, construction type, and level of cover.
What Home Insurance Typically Covers
Standard home insurance policies usually include cover for:
- Damage caused by fire, flooding, or storms
- Theft or vandalism
- Structural damage (buildings policies)
- Personal belongings (contents policies)
Optional cover and excess levels vary by policy and provider, which can affect both premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Renters and Contents Insurance
Renters are not responsible for insuring the structure of a property but may hold contents insurance for personal belongings.
Typical Coverage Areas
- Furniture and household items
- Electronics and appliances
- Personal possessions within the home
Contents insurance represents a relatively low monthly cost compared to overall housing expenses, but it adds to total living costs.
Life Insurance and Mortgage-Related Policies
Many households hold life insurance, particularly where mortgages or dependants are involved.
Common Policy Types
- Mortgage protection insurance
- Term life insurance
- Income protection insurance
Monthly premiums depend on age, health, cover amount, and policy duration, and can vary widely between households.
Other Common Insurance Policies
Some households also carry additional insurance policies that contribute to monthly expenses.
Examples Include
- Travel insurance
- Pet insurance
- Gadget or device insurance
These policies are optional and vary significantly based on lifestyle and household circumstances, but they contribute to overall insurance costs when held.
How These Insurance Costs Affect Monthly Living Expenses
When combined, insurance costs beyond health and car insurance commonly add:
- €50 – €150+ per month
The total depends on:
- Housing status (owner vs renter)
- Presence of a mortgage
- Number of additional policies held
Although individual policies may seem modest, their combined cost forms a meaningful part of monthly living expenses.
Summary
Home insurance and other common insurance policies represent a recurring cost for many households in Ireland. Buildings and contents insurance, life insurance, and optional policies such as travel or pet insurance all contribute to overall monthly expenses.
Including these costs alongside housing, transport, and healthcare provides a more accurate picture of the true cost of living in Ireland.
Last updated: January 2026
Figures are indicative and based on publicly available data and typical policy pricing. Actual costs vary by provider, policy type, and household circumstances.