The Surprising Truth About Insurance on Christmas Day

While most of us are unwrapping presents or settling into Christmas dinner, a surprising number of people are doing something completely unexpected: renewing their car insurance.

It sounds unlikely, but the numbers don't lie. Every single Christmas Day, a small but steady stream of drivers across Ireland log on to sort their cover. Some need to beat a deadline. Others simply find themselves with a quiet moment between festivities. Either way, life admin doesn't stop for the holidays, and Chill makes sure you can sort your insurance whenever you need to.

Do People Really Renew Insurance on Christmas Day?

The short answer? Absolutely.

In 2024, we had people renew their motor insurance with Chill on Christmas Day itself. It happens every year without fail, whether it's Christmas eve, St. Stephens' Day, or somewhere between the turkey and the leftovers.

The pattern is surprisingly consistent. While Christmas Day sees modest activity, renewals start building again from 27 December and reach their peak around New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The festive period turns out to be one of the busiest times for people sorting their cover, with dozens of drivers renewing each day between Christmas and the new year.

So why does this happen? The answer lies in how renewal dates work. Your policy doesn't care that it's Christmas. If your cover expires on 25 December, you still need to renew. Full stop.

A Spike In Quotes And Sales Between Christmas And New Year

The renewal numbers only tell part of the story. When you look at how many people are shopping around for quotes during the festive period, the picture becomes even more interesting.

Last Christmas Day, almost 400 drivers got a quote with Chill. Even with presents to wrap and dinners to prepare, hundreds of Irish motorists still found time to compare prices and check their options.

The real surge happens in the days that follow. From 27 December onwards, quote activity ramps up significantly. By New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, thousands of people across Ireland were getting quotes and sorting their cover. These aren't just people with urgent renewal dates. Many are simply using their holiday downtime to catch up on the admin tasks they've been putting off all year.

It makes sense when you think about it. The week between Christmas and New Year often brings a rare stretch of quiet time. The shops are closed. Work emails have stopped. You might actually have a spare half hour to sit down with a cup of tea and tick something off your to-do list.

Why People Renew During Christmas

There are several reasons why Irish drivers end up sorting their insurance during the festive season:

Renewal dates don't pause for the holidays

If your policy expires between 24 December and 2 January, you don't get an extension just because it's Christmas. You need to renew on time or risk driving without valid cover.

Holiday downtime creates breathing room

For many people, the period between Christmas and New Year is the first chance they've had in months to tackle life admin. When work is quiet and the usual rush has eased, catching up on renewals suddenly feels manageable.

Last-minute renewals happen year-round

Some drivers simply leave it until the last possible moment, whether that's a Tuesday in March or Christmas morning. If you're someone who operates on tight deadlines, the calendar date doesn't change your habits.

Family comparisons become easier

When everyone's home for the holidays, comparing quotes can become a family affair. Parents help younger drivers shop around. Partners sit down together to review their household cover. It's practical, and it saves money.

New cars arrive over Christmas

Christmas is a popular time for car purchases, whether it's treating yourself to an upgrade or finding a deal in the seasonal sales. A new car means new insurance, regardless of the date.

How Chill Supports Drivers Over Christmas

The beauty of online insurance is that it never closes. While our office team takes a well-deserved break over the holidays, our quote tools and purchasing systems run 24/7, every single day of the year.

Whether it's 6am on Christmas morning or 11pm on New Year's Eve, you can:

• Get instant quotes from multiple Irish insurers
• Compare cover options side by side
• Buy or renew your policy immediately
• Download your documents straight away

The entire process takes minutes, which means you can sort your insurance and get back to your celebrations without losing half your day to phone calls and paperwork.

For last-minute renewals, this convenience becomes absolutely vital. If your cover expires on Christmas Day and you've left it late, you can still get sorted online without waiting for offices to reopen. No stress, no gaps in cover, and no need to interrupt your family time.

Chill's Holiday Opening Hours

While our online services are available around the clock, our office team follows seasonal hours over the festive period:

Christmas 2024:

• 24 December: 9am to 3pm
• 25 December: Closed
• 26 December: Closed
• Normal hours resume from 27 December

New Year 2024/2025:

• 31 December: 9am to 3pm
• 1 January: Closed
• Normal hours resume from 2 January

The good news? You don't need to wait for office hours to get a quote or renew your policy. Our online quote tools and purchasing platform are available every single day of the year, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day.

Tips For Renewing Or Buying Car Insurance Over Christmas

If your renewal falls during the festive season, here are a few practical steps to make the process as smooth as possible:

Don't let your policy lapse

Even if it's Christmas, driving without valid insurance is illegal. Check your renewal date well in advance and set yourself a calendar alert if needed.

Keep your documents handy

Have your driving licence number, current policy details, and any no-claims bonus information ready before you start. This speeds up the quote process significantly.

Use Chill for quick comparisons

Rather than contacting multiple insurers individually over the holidays, let Chill do the comparison work for you. You'll see quotes from several providers in one place, making it easier to find the right cover at the right price.

Check your emails regularly

Renewal notices often land in the weeks leading up to Christmas. If you're travelling or staying with family, make sure you're still checking your inbox so nothing slips through the cracks.

Double-check your cover if you're driving long distances

Christmas often means road trips to visit family or friends. Before you set off, confirm that your policy includes the cover you need.

Allow time for the process

While getting a quote only takes a few minutes, it's still worth giving yourself a buffer. Don't leave it until an hour before your policy expires if you can help it.

Get Sorted, Then Get Back to Celebrating

Whether it's Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day, Chill helps you renew in minutes so you can get back to what really matters: spending time with the people you care about.

Insurance might not be the most exciting part of your festive to-do list, but it doesn't need to be complicated either. With our online comparison service running 24/7, you can sort your cover whenever it suits you and move on with your day.

So if you find yourself with a spare moment between the turkey and the trifle, or you're sitting quietly on New Year's Day wondering what to do with yourself, why not tick car insurance off your list? It takes less time than making a cup of tea.

Ready to renew or switch? Get your quote online today at Chill.ie – because insurance never sleeps, even when you're on holiday.