Getting a car insurance quote takes only a few minutes, if you’ve got the right details in front of you. Rather than hunting for bits and pieces halfway through, it’s easier to gather everything first. Here’s what to grab before you start, so you can get an accurate price in one go.
To get a car insurance quote in Ireland, you’ll need a few groups of information: your personal details, your driving licence details, information about your car, how you use it, and your no claims discount and claims history. Most insurers ask for the same core details, though the exact questions vary a little. If you’re switching insurer, a recent renewal notice holds a lot of it in one place.
The car insurance quote checklist
Most insurers will ask for the details below. The exact fields vary a little from one insurer to the next, so treat this as your starting point. Have these ready:
About you
- Your name, date of birth, address and occupation
Your driving licence
- Whether it’s a full or learner (provisional) licence
- The country it was issued in
- How long you’ve held it
Your car
- Registration, make, model, year and engine size
- The car’s approximate value
- Where the car is kept overnight, such as a driveway or on the street
How you use the car
- Your use class: social, commuting or business
- Your estimated annual mileage
Your history
- Your no claims discount, in years
- Your claims history and any penalty points from recent years
Named drivers
- Details of anyone else you want on the policy
If you’re switching from another insurer, a recent no claims discount letter or renewal notice is handy, since it has a lot of this in one place.
A few things people forget
A couple of details catch people out, so they’re worth double-checking before you start.
- The exact date you got your licence. Insurers count your driving experience from this, so a rough guess can change your price.
- How many full years of no claims discount you have. That’s the number of claim-free years, not the number of years you’ve been driving.
- Recent penalty points. These stay relevant for a few years, so include any that are still live on your licence.
- Your real annual mileage. It’s easy to under or overestimate, so base it on your actual driving where you can.
Why car insurers ask for each thing
Every question has a reason behind it, and none of it is there to catch you out.
- Your age and licence history show your driving experience.
- Your address and where the car is parked affect the risk of theft or damage.
- Your car’s make, model and value shape the cost of repairs or a replacement.
- Your mileage and use class reflect how much time you spend on the road.
- Your claims and penalty points help price the policy fairly.
- Named drivers need to be accounted for, since they’ll be driving the car too.
How to get your car insurance quote
Once you’ve got everything together, the rest is quick. You can get a car insurance quote online in a few minutes or call our team if you’d rather talk it through. Either way, having your details ready means the price you see is closer to your final one.
Frequently asked questions
What information do I need to get a car insurance quote?
Most insurers will ask for your personal details, your driving licence information, your car’s registration and details, how you use the car, your annual mileage, and your no claims discount and claims history. Having a recent renewal notice to hand makes it quicker, since it holds a lot of this in one place.
What documents do I need to insure a car in Ireland?
You’ll usually need your driving licence details, your car’s registration, and proof of your no claims discount, often a renewal notice or a letter from your previous insurer. You may not need to upload documents to get a quote, but you’ll need the details from them to hand.
Do I need my licence number to get a quote?
Not always for a first quote, but it helps. Many insurers can quote from your basic details, then ask for your licence number and driving history to firm up the price. Having your licence to hand means fewer estimates and a quote that’s closer to what you’ll actually pay.
Can I get a quote without the car’s registration?
This depends on the insurer. You can usually get a rough quote by giving the make, model, year and engine size instead. The registration makes it more accurate, though, as it confirms the exact car. If you’re insuring a car you haven’t bought yet, an estimate is a good starting point.
How do I prove my no claims discount?
Your no claims discount is usually proven with a letter or renewal notice from your previous insurer, showing how many claim-free years, you’ve built up. If you’re switching, keep that document handy. Insurers typically ask for the proof within a set time after you take out the policy.
What do I need to have ready before getting car insurance?
Have your personal details, driving licence, car registration and details, annual mileage, use class, and your no claims discount and claims history ready. If you’re switching insurer, a recent renewal notice pulls most of it together. With everything to hand, a quote usually takes just a few minutes.
Ready to get started?
Got everything to hand? Look at your options and get a car insurance quote to see what works for your car and your budget. And if a question stumps you along the way, we’re here to help.
