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Insurance
Tuesday, 13 January 2026

How Much Should I Insure My House For?

Wondering “how much should I insure my house for?” Learn how to calculate rebuild costs, avoid underinsurance, and get expert home insurance advice in Ireland.

How much should I insure my house for? It’s a common question for homeowners, especially when buying a new home, renewing a policy, or making improvements. With building costs rising across the country, getting the right level of cover is essential. As one of Ireland’s best home insurance brokers, we regularly help homeowners understand what their property is really worth and how to insure it properly. 

 

Why Insuring the Right Amount Matters

Insuring your home for the correct amount ensures you can rebuild it fully if the worst happens. If your cover is too low, you may not receive enough money to rebuild after a fire, flood, or storm. If it’s too high, you could be paying more than necessary for your policy. 

Many people confuse market value with rebuild cost, but they are not the same. Your rebuild cost covers materials, labour, professional fees, and site clearance. It does not include the value of the land. It’s also important to insure your contents, including furniture, appliances, and personal belongings, as these are not included in the building sum insured. 

This leads many homeowners to ask; how much should I insure my house for in Ireland? The answer depends on your property’s size, age, construction type, and location. 

 

How Much Should I Insure My House For?

A reliable way to estimate your rebuild value is by using a trusted online tool. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland provides a free calculator that gives a solid starting point.  

This house rebuild cost calculator in Ireland uses up-to-date construction data and regional cost differences. It is widely recommended by industry experts. This calculator is a great tool to help you figure out how much you should insure your house for. 

While calculators are helpful, homes with extensions, garages, or unique features may benefit from a professional reinstatement valuation. You’ll want to make sure you’re not underinsuring your home

 

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make

A common mistake is relying on the average home insurance cost in Ireland to estimate your coverage. While useful for budgeting, averages do not reflect individual rebuild costs. Two similar-looking homes can have very different rebuild values. 

Another mistake is failing to review cover regularly. Construction costs change, and renovations can significantly increase rebuild costs. This is why experts recommend reviewing your policy every year. 

These issues often raise the question: how much you should insure your house for, especially after home improvements or extensions. 

 

When Should You Review Your Cover?

You should review your cover: 

   - When renewing your policy

   - After renovations or extensions

   - If building costs rise significantly

   - When switching providers 

Revisiting these details helps answer the question “How much should I insure my house for?” accurately and ensures your policy keeps pace with realistic costs. 

Understanding how much you should insure you house for doesn’t have to be complicated. Using trusted tools, reviewing your cover regularly, and getting expert advice can help protect your biggest investment. 

At Insure My House, we specialise in helping homeowners find best-value home insurance quotes in Ireland with the right level of cover. Explore our website today for a fast quote and expert guidance tailored to your home.