Why Home Insurance Matters - Even If It’s Not a Legal Requirement

Your home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make - emotionally, financially, and practically. Whether you're a first-time buyer or simply looking to renew or switch your home insurance, understanding what cover you need and why it matters is essential.

We'll explain why home insurance is worth considering, what it typically covers, and how Chill Insurance can help you find the right policy.

Is Home Insurance a Legal Requirement?

In Ireland, home insurance isn't legally required, but that doesn't mean you don't need it. If you're taking out a mortgage, your lender will likely insist on buildings insurance as a condition of the loan. That's because the house is the asset securing the mortgage and needs protection.

But even if you own your home outright, having home insurance gives you peace of mind. It means that if something unexpected happens, like a fire, flood, or burglary, you won't be left facing the full financial cost on your own.

Why You Might Want to Consider Home Insurance

Home insurance protects more than just bricks and mortar. It helps safeguard the things you've worked hard for, from your furniture to your home office setup to treasured personal items.

Without cover, a major event like a fire or serious water damage could cost tens of thousands of euros to repair. Insurance provides a safety net, helping you get back on your feet without draining your savings.

What's Included as Standard in Chill's Home Insurance Policies

When you take out home insurance with Chill, you get a lot of cover as standard, including some features you might not expect. Here's what's typically included:

• Storm, fire and flood protection (including fire brigade charges)
• Home office cover
• Temporary alternative accommodation
• Liability to others (up to €3.2 million depending on provider)
• Increased contents cover for wedding and Christmas gifts
• Jury duty cover (on selected policies)

Let's take a closer look at what each of these means for you.

Storm, Fire & Flood Protection

Standard across all policies. If you live in a high flood risk area, your premium may be higher, but you'll still be covered for damage caused by weather events.

Plus: Our policies include Fire Brigade Charges. Did you know calling out a fire engine can cost around €700, plus €400 for every hour after that? Chill covers this as standard so you won't get an unexpected bill.

Home Office Cover

If you work from home, you'll be glad to know that Chill's policies include cover for home offices - even if your workspace is in a separate garden building. Personal items in the office are covered, but if your laptop or monitor was provided by your employer, it should be covered under your company's insurance.

Temporary Alternative Accommodation

If your home becomes uninhabitable due to fire, flood, or another major event, Chill covers the cost of alternative accommodation. This typically covers 15 -20% of the total damage cost. For example, if the damage amounts to €100,000, you could receive up to €20,000 to help with temporary living expenses.

Liability to Others

Chill policies include liability cover up to €3.2 million, depending on the insurer. This protects you if someone is injured in your home - whether it's a friend, neighbour, or contractor - or if damage is caused to someone else's property.

Wedding & Christmas Gifts

Expecting a house full of presents? Around wedding season or Christmas, contents cover increases by 10 - 20%, depending on your policy. Just let Chill know in advance if you're getting married, and we'll make sure your gifts are covered.

Jury Duty Cover

If you're called for jury duty, some Chill policies include up to €40 per day to cover associated expenses like food or transport. Even better, claiming this benefit won't affect your no claims bonus.

Optional Extras Worth Considering

Some useful features aren't included as standard, but can be added depending on your needs.

Here's what you can choose to add for more protection:

• Accidental damage cover (e.g. for TVs, carpets, furnishings)
• Specified items (jewellery, electronics, ride-on lawnmowers)
• Home Rescue (emergency callouts for issues like leaks or electrical faults)
• Key Care (lost key replacement and locksmith access)

Now let's explore how these extras work and when they might be worth considering.

Accidental Cover

Perfect if you have kids or pets, or just a tendency to knock things over. This covers accidental damage to things like TVs or carpets. So, if red wine ends up on a cream carpet, or your TV gets knocked off the stand, you could be covered for repairs or replacement.

Specified Items

Have valuable jewellery, high-end tech, or even a ride-on lawnmower? Chill lets you add specified items to your policy for added protection, inside the home, or inside and outside.

Keep in mind: adding more items increases your premium, so consider what's most valuable and worth protecting.

Home Rescue

Think of it as breakdown cover for your home. If there's a plumbing leak or electrical fault, someone will be sent to fix or contain the issue quickly before it becomes a bigger (and more expensive) problem. This cover doesn't affect your no claims bonus.

Key Care

If you've ever been locked out of your house, you'll appreciate this one. Key Care provides locksmith callout and key replacement so you can get back in without the stress or cost.

The Chill Customer Benefit: Easy Renewals, Better Deals

Chill makes it easy to compare policies from multiple insurers in one quote. But the real benefit goes beyond the first policy. We make things easier at renewal too.

When your policy is due to renew, we automatically compare the market again to find a better offer. If there's a cheaper or more suitable policy available, we'll show you the option and you can switch with just one click.

This saves you the hassle of shopping around and makes sure you're always getting value.

And if you're not sure what's included in standard cover or whether certain items need to be specified, our team of trained insurance experts are always available to help. We know that home insurance can feel complicated, especially if it's your first time arranging cover or you have specific questions about valuables or extras.

Just give us a call and we'll talk you through your options, explain anything you're unsure about, and help you feel confident in your choices.

Are You Home Insurance Ready?

Here's a quick checklist to help you get started:

• Do you know if your mortgage lender requires buildings insurance?
• Have you considered what standard cover you need?
• Are there any valuables you'd like to add as specified items?
• Do you want extras like accidental damage or home rescue?
• Have you used Chill's quote tool to compare offers and save time?
• Do you want your next renewal to be automatically optimised?

Conclusion: Protect What Matters

Home insurance isn't just about ticking a box, it's about protecting your home, your belongings, and your peace of mind. Whether you're just getting started or looking to switch, Chill Insurance helps is here to help you compare policies, find great value, and make sure you're covered for what matters most. If you ever need a hand understanding your options, our friendly team is just a phone call away.

Get a quote from Chill Insurance today and see how simple home insurance can be.