Wicklow and South Dublin Houses have most expensive contents

Homes in Wicklow and South Dublin have the highest value contents in the State, according to an AA Insurance analysis of the value of contents insured.

Homeowners in Co. Wicklow insure their contents for an average of €51,573. Dubliners showed a very clear difference depending on what side of the Liffey they live on.  Southsiders cover their contents for €49,418, €3,000 more than the amount for those on the Northside.

“When thinking about how much to insure your contents for you need to think in terms of how much it would cost to replace everything if you did suffer a total loss, for example from a fire.” Says AA Consumer Affairs Director Conor Faughnan.

“Lots of us tend to under-estimate this and think we couldn’t possibly have so much money tied up in the home. But if you think about replacing every single thing from the TV to the towels, the kitchen appliances, the kid’s bikes and games consoles, the beds and the lamps and every stitch of the family’s clothing, it really does add up.”

Homeowners in Co. Leitrim insured their contents for the lowest amount at €39,180 according to the AA Home Insurance analysis. Kildare, Louth and Limerick were all relatively high with cover for over €48,000. The figure varies considerably from one county to the next with an overall average of €47,400.

The AA advises householders to think carefully about the value they choose as both over and under-insuring your belongings can be a mistake. If you pick an amount that is too high then you will pay too much in your premium even though an insurance company will only pay you for the value of what you have lost. Insure for too little and an insurance company will reduce the payout proportionately even for a smaller claim.

“The value of your contents will vary from home to home.” Says Faughnan. “Most of us kit out our homes over a period of years as we move through life. The average contents cover chosen by AA Home Insurance customers is €47,400, so that might be a useful benchmark to have in mind when thinking about your own home.”

AA Home Insurance Average House Contents sum insured by county:

DUBLIN

• Dublin North – €46,590
• Dublin South – €49,418

REST OF LEINSTER

• Kildare – €48,290
• Meath – €49,028
• Carlow – €45,369
• Longford – €43,597
• Kilkenny – €47,613
• Westmeath – €43,468
• Louth – €48,404
• Offaly – €45,720
• Wicklow – €51,783
• Wexford – €46,255
• Laois – €46,774

MUNSTER

• Clare – €44,339
• Tipperary – €47,020
• Limerick – €48,033
• Waterford – €48,420
• Kerry – €44,741
• Cork – €46,198

CONNACHT/ULSTER

• Galway – €44,976
• Sligo – €43,280
• Leitrim – €39,180
• Mayo – €42,034
• Roscommon – €43,395
• Donegal – €42,627
• Cavan – €44,122
• Monaghan – €44,625