If you have made the decision to return home to Ireland you may be wondering how to make the transition. If you are like many of us have returned from living abroad the move meant that you had sold your car and cancelled your insurance. You may have left your rented or owned home and got rid of anything that you no longer needed. Getting back to life in Ireland may seem daunting but there are plenty of resources available to you with one of the best initiatives from Citizens Information with an entire ‘Returning to Ireland’ section.
How will I get Car Insurance when I return to Ireland from living abroad?
The number one issue expressed by returning emigrants is the difficulty in getting a car insurance policy that is affordable. Many of you will have been driving while living abroad. KennCo will take this driving experience along with your previous Irish driving experience into account while providing you with a competitive quote.
Is my no claims bonus still relevant?
KennCo will take your no claims bonus into account even if you are outside the 2 year time period. Most insurers in Ireland will refuse to take your no claims bonus if it has expired by 2 years.
Does having an Irish driving licence make it easier to get a quote?
Some insurers won’t take non-Irish driving licences. If you need to change your current driving licence back to an Irish licence you can do so easily. If the licence you hold is from Australia, Switzerland, South Africa, EEA countries and parts of Canada it is a fee of €55. If you hold a licence from a different country than those listed above you will need to go through the Irish driving process. This includes the driver theory test, 12 EDT lessons, driving test. You then display ‘N’ plates for 2 years after passing your driving test. This can be a timely and costly process in Ireland. But KennCo will take your commitment to completing your 12 EDT lessons into account when looking for first time divers car insurance.
How can I reduce my insurance premium?
There are ways to reduce your quoted premium from joining a parent’s insurance as a named driver, driving carefully and safely to avoid and penalty points or fines, getting your full licence if you don’t have it yet and choosing your car wisely. Smaller engine sizes are less powerful meaning your risk is lower. Even 1 year no claims bonus will help you to reduce your premium and reducing your risk to insurers.
What is the minimum amount of car insurance cover I can get?
In Ireland the minimum mandatory cover is Third party car insurance. Third party cover will cover the following if you, the insured, are found at fault for an accident;
- Compensation for your passengers
- Compensation for the driver of the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident
- Compensation for the other vehicles passengers
Third party cover does not include any damage to your own car. Including in an accident, stolen vehicle or fire of your vehicle. Other cover available in Ireland include Third party fire and theft and comprehensive cover.
If you are like the 54,900 people who have emigrated from Ireland up to August 2019 then you are familiar with the processes of cancelling your financial ties with Ireland. In 2019 to date, the CSO has reported that for the first time since 2010 the number of emigrants is lower than the immigrants. Emigration peaked in 2012 with 83,000 making the life-changing decision to set up life in a new country.
If you are returning to Ireland after living abroad KennCo will be happy to look at your previous driving experience. We will also take any driving experience you may have gained while living abroad. We have a dedicated page for information you may be looking for as a returning expat to Ireland. If you have any other questions our experienced insurance agents would be happy to talk on 014092600.
Similar difficulty can be experienced for drivers who may have been driving a company car for over two years. Read how KennCo are one of the few insurance companies who will take your company driving experience and/or named driving experience into account when looking for a car insurance quote.
