There’s no single answer, because your price depends on your age, where you’re going, how long you’re away and which level of cover you pick. What we can tell you is exactly which factors move the price up or down, so you know what you’re paying for before you get a quote.
Before you book, here’s what you’re looking at
You’ve picked your destination and you’re ready to book. Before you do, it’s worth understanding what shapes your travel insurance quote, because two people flying to the same place on the same dates can end up with very different prices.
Most of what affects your premium is within your control. Once you know the factors, you can make choices that keep the cost sensible without cutting corners on cover.
What affects the price
A handful of factors do most of the work in setting your premium:
- Your age. Insurers generally price age bands differently, and cover for older travellers, particularly anyone with existing medical conditions, tends to cost more to reflect the higher likelihood of a medical claim.
- Your destination. A trip within Europe usually costs less to insure than a long-haul trip, largely because medical treatment abroad (especially in places like the US) can be far more expensive.
- Trip length. A weekend break costs less to cover than a three-week holiday, simply because there’s more time for something to go wrong.
- Your cover level. AA Ireland offers three tiers, Value, Essential and Extra, each with different benefit limits and add-ons. Extra costs more than Essential, which costs more than Value, but the trade-off is higher limits and broader cover.
- Medical conditions. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, declaring it accurately may increase your premium. Skipping this to save money isn’t worth it: it can mean a claim gets turned down when you need it most.
- Optional add-ons. Extras like winter sports cover or a higher cancellation limit will add to the base price.
Single trip vs annual multi-trip: which costs less?
If you’re travelling once this year, a single trip policy is usually the cheaper option. If you’ve got two or more trips planned, an annual multi-trip policy can work out better value, since you’re covered for the whole year under one policy instead of paying separately each time.
Which one saves you money depends on how many trips you’re taking and where. See the single trip guide and the annual multi-trip guide for the full comparison.
How to keep the cost down
You don’t need to buy the cheapest policy you can find to get a fair price. A few honest habits make more difference:
- Buy as soon as you book. Cancellation cover only protects you from the moment you take out the policy, so buying early means you’re covered if something disrupts your trip before you even leave.
- Choose the tier that matches your trip, not the highest one by default. A short domestic break doesn’t need the same limits as a three-week worldwide trip.
- Declare medical conditions accurately. It might nudge the price up, but it means your cover holds up if you need to claim.
- Consider annual multi-trip if you travel more than once a year. Paying once can end up cheaper than several single trip policies.
- Only add the extras you’ll use. Winter sports cover is worth it if you’re skiing, not if you’re not.
FAQs
How much does travel insurance cost in Ireland?
It depends on your age, destination, trip length, cover level and any medical conditions you declare. There’s no single price that applies to everyone, which is why getting a quote based on your own trip details gives you the most accurate figure.
What affects the price of travel insurance?
The main factors are your age, where you’re travelling to, how long you’re away, the cover level you choose (Value, Essential or Extra) and whether you need to declare any medical conditions. Optional add-ons, like winter sports cover, add to the cost too.
Is travel insurance expensive in Ireland?
Not necessarily. Cost varies a lot depending on your trip and circumstances. A short European break with standard cover typically costs less than a long-haul trip or one requiring higher medical limits.
How can I get cheaper travel insurance?
Buy your policy as soon as you book your trip, choose a cover level that matches your actual needs, and consider an annual multi-trip policy if you travel more than once a year. Always declare medical conditions accurately rather than leaving them out to save money.
What’s a reasonable price for travel insurance?
It depends entirely on your trip. Rather than comparing against a general figure, get a quote based on your own age, destination, trip length and cover needs, then compare that against what each tier includes.
Ready to see your price?
The only way to know what your trip will cost to insure is to get a quote based on your own details. Get a travel insurance quote and see exactly what’s included at each cover level.
