September is a busy month for home insurance in Ireland. Renewal notices arrive, and for a short window your policy is in front of you rather than filed away.
For most homeowners that means a straightforward review. But many Irish properties are not standard family homes, and owners often discover that a routine online quote does not meet their insurance needs. A period farmhouse, a mobile home, a coastal holiday cottage, or a house standing empty each need specialist insurance arranged with a little more care.
This guide sets out the main property types that benefit from specialist cover in Ireland.
What is specialist home insurance?
Specialist home insurance, sometimes called non-standard home insurance, covers properties that fall outside the usual criteria an insurer applies to an owner-occupied modern house. A property may require specialist cover because of age, construction, value, how often it is lived in, whether it is let to tenants, or whether it is a protected structure. None of these factors make a property difficult to insure. They simply mean the policy needs to be built around the property itself.
This is where working with a broker helps. Gallagher can arrange cover across a wide range of properties, and can also offer guidance from an experienced team of home insurance advisors.
Period, Listed and High Value Properties
Older period properties are among the most rewarding homes in Ireland to own, and among the most specialised to insure. Rebuild costs differ from those of a modern home because materials, craftsmanship and construction methods are different. This is particularly evident with protected structures that may need to be restored in a particular way. The same is true where a property or its contents sit above the limits of a standard policy, and cover needs to be structured around what the home and its contents are actually worth.
Gallagher arranges period property, listed building and high value home insurance. This includes cover for castles, country estates, and protected structures. Policies can be arranged on a buildings and contents basis or as contents only, and cover can be extended to worldwide protection for your items, automatic cover for newly acquired possessions, and much more. Antiques, jewellery and heirlooms can be protected individually, and there is dedicated cover available for fine art and private collections. Cover at this level is arranged through our private client team, who work with a dedicated broker per client.
Mobile Homes
Mobile homes are not covered by standard home insurance policies and require specialist cover. This will be determined by factors such as location, construction, and seasonal use. Gallagher arranges mobile home insurance across Ireland, whether the mobile home is on a private site or a holiday park, and whether it is used year-round or seasonally.
Holiday Homes
A property lived in seasonally has different needs and requirements than a main residence. Holiday homes generally stand empty for stretches of the year, can be located in exposed areas like coastal locations, and may require letting out from time to time.
Each of those affects how the policy should be arranged, and holiday home policies carry conditions relating to the periods when the property is unoccupied. Our article on unoccupied homes and holiday properties works through a real example along the Donegal coast and covers the practical conditions to be aware of.
Unoccupied and Vacant Properties
A house can stand empty for all sorts of ordinary reasons: an inherited property, a home between tenants, one awaiting sale, or an owner spending an extended period abroad. Standard policies place limits on how long a property can be left unoccupied, so cover usually needs to be arranged specifically.
Gallagher arranges unoccupied property insurance for exactly these situations. Our advisors can set out the conditions to protect your home even when you are not there so there are no surprises later.
Rental and Investment Properties
Landlord cover works differently from owner-occupier cover. Generally with landlord cover, the building is your responsibility and the belongings are the responsibility of your tenants’. Cover can be arranged to protect contents belonging to the landlord like furnishings and appliances. If you hold several properties, cover can be arranged across the whole portfolio rather than property by property.
Why a broker matters for a specialist property
An online form asks a fixed set of questions. If your property does not fit those questions, the journey tends to stop. Speaking to a broker allows you to discuss the unique elements of your property with an experienced advisor who can discuss your options. Gallagher’s qualified advisors can identify which insurers property your type of property, structure the cover around its characteristics, check rebuild and contents figures before they are set, and explain any conditions attached to the policy in plain terms.
Gallagher has offices nationwide. To learn more about our specialist home insurance options, get in touch by phone or email, or request a callback for a time that suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a non-standard property?
Broadly, any property that falls outside the criteria insurers apply to a modern owner-occupied house. That includes period and listed buildings, homes of unusual construction, high-value homes, mobile homes, holiday homes, unoccupied properties and rental properties. It is a common situation rather than an unusual one.
Can I insure a listed building or protected structure in Ireland?
Yes. Period property and listed building cover is available, including for castles and country estates. Because rebuild costs and restoration requirements differ from those of a modern home, these policies are arranged individually rather than selected from a standard range.
Is a mobile home covered by standard house insurance?
No. Mobile homes need their own policy, arranged around where the mobile home is located and how it is used. Cover is readily available for both private sites and holiday parks.
Can I let out my holiday home and stay insured?
Often yes, but letting a holiday property changes the basis of cover and needs to be declared. Holiday home policies also carry conditions about periods when the property is unoccupied. Speak to an advisor before you begin letting rather than afterwards.
Can specialist properties be insured on a multi-year policy?
Some insurers offer one, two and three-year terms, subject to underwriting criteria and the property in question. Our advisors can confirm which options are open for your property.
Can I insure a thatched cottage in Ireland?
Yes, thatched cottages can be insured in Ireland. Because they are considered a specialist or non-standard insurance risk a specialist insurer may be required. As your insurance broker, we will work on your behalf to ensure you get the best cover for your thatched property.
Can I insure a property under renovation?
Yes, properties undergoing renovation can be insured in Ireland. However, you may need specialist renovation insurance depending on the extent of the project. It’s important to tell your insurer about any planned renovations to ensure you have the right protection in place.
Where can I get holiday home insurance?
Holiday home insurance is designed for properties that are not occupied all year round. This cover can help protect the building and its contents against risks such as fire, storm damage, theft, and accidental damage. Because holiday homes may be unoccupied for longer periods, they often require specialist insurance cover. Our team are here to answer your home insurance questions and ensure you have the best cover for your property.
Where can I get a specific home insurance for my high valued home?
If you own a high-value home, you may need specialist home insurance that offers higher buildings and contents limits, along with tailored cover for valuable possessions. As your insurance broker we can help arrange cover designed to meet the unique needs of high-value properties and ensure your home is protected adequately.
Talk to us about your property
If your home does not fit a standard policy, that is precisely the kind of thing we arrange every day. You can get a home insurance quote online, or request a callback and one of our advisors will come back to you.