Ireland Travel Insurance – 5 Best Sites to Search (2023)

👉 Jump to: Best Sites to Search | Requirements | Why Get Insurance | Safety | Tips | Methodology | FAQ

If you’re looking for travel insurance for Ireland, you’re in the right place. In this guide I’ll go over the 5 places I’d look for Ireland travel insurance, as well as important requirements and safety information.

Since I quit my corporate attorney job to travel the world and blog, I’ve been through a lot: dengue in Thailand, robbery in Belize, protests in Bolivia, and getting trapped in Argentina by covid-19. Thankfully my trips to Ireland have been uneventful, but I still buy insurance just in case.

Disclaimers: We are not insurance brokers. This post is for informational purposes only and is not insurance advice. Links on this page are affiliate links. Using them supports this independent blog with a small commission. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

Best Travel Insurance for Ireland

The above table summarizes the top 3 places I’d search today for travel insurance for Ireland. Now let’s do a deeper dive into all 5 top sites:

TravelInsurance.com (#1 Overall)

The single best site I’ve found for finding Ireland travel insurance is TravelInsurance.com. It’s an aggregator site where you can easily compare quotes for dozens of insurance companies after entering just a few details.

With so many companies, you’ll need to thoroughly vet whichever one you’re looking at to make sure it’s reputable. I love that the site makes that easy by clearly displaying customer reviews for each provider. I also really like how they easily display the most important coverage information, so you can choose the trip insurance coverages that are right for your trip to Ireland.

While all this information can be a bit of a chore to sort through, ultimately I think it’s the single most user-friendly site for finding travel insurance for Ireland (or anywhere else).

VisitorsCoverage (Comparison Site)

Coming in a close second is VisitorsCoverage, another comparison site where you can easily compare quotes from dozens of insurers willing to provide travel insurance for your Ireland trip.

One big pro of VisitorsCoverage is that they let you choose quotes for either trip insurance or for travel medical insurance. Trip insurance usually covers things like flight delay, flight cancellation, or lost luggage. Travel medical insurance, on the other hand, is focused solely on potential emergency medical costs. Depending on the trip, medical coverage is often the only thing I need, so it’s nice to be able to get it a la carte with VisitorsCoverage.

Another pro of VisitorsCoverage is that the site includes a lot of filters that make it easy to find policies for specific cases. For example, there are filters for “Cancel for Any Reasons (CFAR)” coverage and COVID-19 coverages.

Another thing I really like about this site is that, for whatever reason, it tends to return quotes for the cheapest travel insurance policies for Ireland. Of course, cheaper isn’t always better – be sure to read the full terms and conditions.

Genki (Digital Nomad Insurance)

Genki is a unique insurance product that’s focused on providing travel medical insurance for digital nomads and remote workers. It’s not “full” travel insurance, but more like medical insurance that follows you around the globe.

I personally recently became a Genki subscriber, and so far have been happy with the service. I like that you can choose your own doctor, that coverage renews automatically, and that Genki has relatively low co-pays and deductibles.

However, there are some cons to relying solely on Genki. Namely, it’s not full travel insurance. If you’re looking for trip delay coverage for Ireland, trip cancellation coverage, or coverage for things like gear theft, you’ll need to pair it with a more traditional Ireland travel insurance policy.

The other major drawback to Genki is that there are unfortunately age limits, so it’s really best for younger digital nomads and remote workers planning a longer stay in Ireland.

Insure My Trip (Comparison Site)

Insure My Trip came on to my radar when readers suggested it as a good place for finding travel insurance for seniors 70+ or those with pre-existing conditions. Again, it’s an aggregator site that allows you to shop and compare many different travel health insurance providers.

They also have an “Anytime Advocates” program, which is where they assign you a representative to advocate for you if you need to file a claim with the insurance company underwriting your specific policy.

Aardy (Comparison Site)

Aardy is yet another travel insurance comparison site that lets you compare quotes from different insurers for your Ireland trip. I find that their interface gives the clearest information when it comes to understanding what COVID-19 coverages are (and are not) provided by each insurer.

However, personally I tend to search Aardy last because I find it less user friendly and I also don’t like that they require an email address just to get a quote!

Ireland Travel Insurance Requirements

There is no legal requirement for tourists to buy insurance in order to travel Ireland, and neither airlines nor immigration will ask you for it. The US Embassy in Ireland, however, recommends that “all Americans traveling overseas consider a travel insurance policy to cover unexpected illness, injury or other circumstances adversely affecting their travel.”

Why I Get Insurance for My Trips to Ireland

While you do not need travel insurance to enter Ireland, like many travelers, I personally choose to travel with insurance when I am abroad, including on my trip to Ireland.

Here are some of the reasons why I personally opted for Ireland travel insurance

Trip Cancellation Protection

What It Is: Trip cancelation is a benefit that reimburses you for any pre-paid non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel due to a circumstance covered under your plan.

Why It Matters: Anyone remember the time Iceland’s volcano shut down all air traffic to Europe? It doesn’t take a crazy natural disaster to cancel your trip abroad, though: it could be something as common as a family member or traveling companion getting sick.

Emergency Medical Coverage

What It Is: If you’re injured or get sick while you’re traveling, and you’ve bought the policy for the activities you’re doing, you can be covered for hospitalization, out-patient treatment for medical emergencies, prescribed medicines, x-rays, and lab tests.

Why It Matters: Emergencies happen no matter where you are, and medical expenses can quickly add up. Medical insurance is one of the top reasons I chose to get covered when visiting Ireland!

Rental Car Protection

What It Is: Like almost everywhere, Ireland requires car insurance for anyone behind the wheel to protect against liability in case of an accident.

Why It Matters: Ireland is a great destination for road trips! Making sure you have rental car protection can help make the journey smoother. For more, see our Dublin car rentals guide.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

What It Is: This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re going to be at a hospital for a prolonged period of time, it may also include transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside or the return of a dependent child back to your home.

Why It Matters: Sure it’s scary to think about, but if you need to get evacuated in a medical emergency, it could quickly add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Lost Luggage and Gear Theft Protection

What It Is: Protection against your bag being lost, or important items being stolen. Note you’ll want to check the policy limits closely here, as most policies have a cap on how much they’ll pay out for this type of loss.

Why It Matters: It’s never part of the plan when you show up at your destination- and your baggage doesn’t. While Ireland is pretty safe, Dublin – like most European capitals – has its fair share of pickpockets and vandals. I like knowing my cell phone, laptop, and cameras have some coverage.

Emergency Assistance

When things go wrong and you’re in a foreign time zone, it can sure help if your insurer provides an emergency assistance line.

These are just examples of some common benefits of Ireland travel insurance. Your actual insurance coverage will depend upon the terms and conditions of the policy you choose, so always be sure to read carefully!

👉 Read Next: Best Things to Do in Dublin

Travel Safety in Ireland

In terms of crime and general safety, Ireland is about as safe as any destination out there. Crime is relatively low, and most travelers feel perfectly safe in Ireland. Still, it is always a good idea to check the latest Ireland travel advisories from the US State Department and the UK’s FCO.

Crime in Ireland

Crime in Ireland is relatively low, and pretty similar or better than the United States. A few interesting data points on safety in Ireland:

• The Berkshire Hathaway blog rates Ireland as the 9th safest country in the world.
• According to State Department Overseas Security Advisory Council’s Ireland Crime and Safety Report, “[v]iolent crime in Ireland is rare but does exist.”

The most common threat to travelers to Ireland is petty theft and scams. Here are a few travel tips to consider:

• 👜 Keep your belongings close, especially in Dublin’s crowded streets, to avoid pickpockets.
• 👉 Consider investing in a money belt or slash-proof bag.
• 💳 Keep a backup credit card somewhere separate from your wallet, to use in case of emergency.

Don’t stress too much. Just practice common sense and stay aware of your surroundings, and you’ll likely have a safe and peaceful trip to Ireland.

Ireland’s Healthcare System

Ireland has a dual public and a private healthcare system. Foreigners will typically be expected to pay for the costs of medical care, which is a major reason why I personally feel I need travel insurance for Ireland as an American.

Residents of the EU and Switzerland, meanwhile, should research potential benefits provided through the European Health Insurance Card.

Though Ireland’s public healthcare system generally receives high marks for the quality of its medical services, the country has had issues with hospital overcrowding.

Health Insurance in Ireland

Looking for Irish health insurance coverage? If you’re an expat or long-term traveler looking to relocate to Ireland, you can find more information here about the ins and outs of the public Irish medical system, as well as on private medical insurance plans.

Ireland Travel Tips

• 🗺️ Where to Go: Dublin, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, and Killarney are all among the top stops on my suggested 7 day Itinerary for Ireland.
• 📆 Best Time to Visit: Ireland is a popular tourist destination that can get very crowded during the summer, so I suggest visiting during shoulder season (March to May, and again from September to November). Ireland is less popular in the winter, but prices are more affordable. For more, see our full guide to the best months to visit Ireland.
• 💶 Currency: Ireland uses the Euro (which in 1999 replaced its previous currency, the Irish Pound).
• 🗨️ Language: Irish and English are the official languages.

Check out my full article on travel tips for Ireland for more!

Methodology

To find the best sites for Ireland travel insurance, I reviewed each of the mentioned insurance comparison sites. I pulled sample quotes for different ages, using the same hypothetical dates for a one week trip for a 35 year old from the USA.

I have also used the sites in question for my own insurance needs over my decade plus of travel around the world. I have personally traveled to Ireland, and I have always purchased travel insurance.

FAQs About Ireland Travel Insurance

***

That’s it for this guide to travel insurance in Ireland. Remember to always read the terms and conditions before making a purchase, and to seek advice from a licensed broker if you have questions about what is and isn’t covered by specific insurance plans.

Before you leave, be sure to check out all our Ireland travel guides to help you plan your trip!

Enjoy your visit to Ireland!

Related Reading:

• Travel Insurance for Georgia
• Travel Insurance for Mexico
• Travel Insurance for Thailand
• Travel Insurance for Spain