Travel insurance for Ireland

Average customer rating: 4.3/5
Written by Kenneth Young
Reviewed by Adrian Taylor
Updated 22 October 2024

Do I need travel insurance for Ireland?

A view of Dublin and Mellows Bridge.A travel insurance policy could provide peace of mind for your trip to Ireland, as it could cover several insured events that could disrupt your journey. Although Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with the Republic of Ireland, Smartraveller still recommends purchasing comprehensive travel insurance if you plan to go to Ireland.1 This is due to the up-front expenses to get medical treatment in Ireland’s healthcare system. The RHCA also won’t cover these expenses if you’ve received treatment as a private patient.

For full details on what travel insurance covers and excludes, always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). To check if the policy is right for your circumstances, it’s worth reading the Target Market Determination (TMD).

What should my travel insurance policy for Ireland cover?

It’s worth considering travel insurance with the following benefits for your trip to Ireland.

Medical cover

Cancellation cover

Lost or stolen luggage and personal belongings

Car hire excess

What’s usually excluded from travel insurance?

Travel insurance policies generally exclude cover for:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions (unless your insurer agreed to cover your condition)
  • Baggage left unattended in public
  • Claims due to intoxication
  • Activities that are illegal or reckless.

Meet our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor

Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance

As the Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.

1 Smartraveller – Ireland. Accessed 3 October 2024.