Paying More for Home Insurance Because of Where You Live? It’s Happening And What You Can Do About It

We all know that the background on our address matters—for taxes, local amenities, maybe even school districts. But few realize that a simple mailing address can also influence the price you pay for home insurance and other essential expenses.

That’s the unsettling headline from a recent RTÉ Business article, which reveals how insurers are quietly penalising homeowners based solely on location—even when that location is nominal (like belonging to a Dublin “city” address versus a nearby “town”).

The key insight? Some homeowners are facing hundreds of euros extra in premiums simply because of how insurers classify their location—even if there’s no material difference in risk. Essentially, “your address matters,” and that can sting when it comes to insurance bills. 

What Can Irish Homeowners Expect to Pay?

If you’re bracing for the insurance bill already, here’s what current data suggests:

• Typical premiums range from €160 to €700/year, with the average sitting around €430 per annum.
  
• In Dublin and nearby areas, it’s noticeably higher, €455 to €865 annually.
  
• Comparisons for a standard 4-bed detached home in Galway show quotes ranging from €555 (Zurich) to €855 (An Post). €300 differences over the same property point to how varied premiums can be.
  

Rising building and repair costs aren’t helping. Insurance premiums have surged, outpacing general inflation, by as much as twice the rate. Add in increasingly frequent weather-related claims (flooding, storms), and it’s clear insurers are covering themselves by cautiously upping premiums, especially in high-risk zones. 

How Often Are Claims Made—and Why It Matters

Unfortunately, detailed public stats on claim frequency per household are thin. But industry signals offer clues:

• Aviva Ireland handled 4,500 property damage claims following a severe winter storm, underscoring how concentrated damage can spike claims and pressure insurers.
  
• Rising weather-related losses aren’t anomalies, and they factor directly into how insurers model future risk—and price premiums accordingly.
  

What is clear is that markets are shifting. Homeowners and renters alike are demanding clarity on coverage, exclusions, and fair pricing. 

The Smart Move? Shop Around

If your insurance seems inflated—or even if it doesn’t—there’s a simple message: don’t auto-renew. Compare before committing.

• Paying annually, not monthly, often shaves off €50 or more in home insurance costs; avoiding interest and fees adds up.
  
• Even minor security upgrades—like NSAI-approved alarms or window locks—can cut premiums by up to €100 a year.
  
• Bundling your home insurance with other policies (car, travel, pets, gadgets) can net multi-policy discounts—usually around 10%, sometimes more.
  

Still, the most reliable savings come from comparing. That’s where brokers step in—and Compare Insurance makes it smart and effortless. They work with multiple Central Bank–regulated insurance partners to find the policy that fits your home, your location, and your needs—without the legwork.

Bottom Line

Your address shouldn’t translate into a hidden surcharge—but in today’s market, it often does. Average homeowners in Ireland are paying anywhere between €400 to €800 annually, depending on home type and region. Weather volatility and construction cost inflation have pushed premiums even higher, while serious claim frequency is on the rise.

The solution? Be proactive. Shop around. Take small steps that matter—like paying annually or upgrading your home’s security. And for a truly smart, time-saving tune-up on your insurance, work with Compare Insurance. They’ll do the quote-hunting, so you can get confident coverage at a fair price.

Your home deserves better than a surprise “address surcharge.” It deserves clarity, value, and the right policy for you.