Car insurance

Car insurance FAQs

All the answers

Why search for car insurance the hard way? Ask Acorn is here to make everything easier for you when it comes to finding the very best quote from leading insurers. Check out our frequently asked questions to learn more about getting the best value car insurance cover for your car’s specific needs:

• Are you still regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland?

  Yes, Ask Acorn is the trading name of Acorn Brokerage Limited which is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. 

• How can I talk to a financial advisor?

  Just call us on 0818 800 822 or email customercare@askacorn.ie and we’ll put you in touch with a local Ask Acorn financial advisor who will help you make a plan aimed at securing your financial future.

• Are you still an Irish company?

  Yes, we’re proud to say that Ask Acorn is a 100% Irish-owned company, headquartered in Galway with a nationwide network of financial advisors.

• Do I need to update my direct debit or personal information?

  No, you don’t have to do anything, unless there’s been a change that might affect your cover – for example, if you have moved house. Rest assured, your existing direct debit(s) will continues to operate as normal and all the information we have about you will remain secure. 

• What happens when it’s time to renew my insurance cover?

  Don’t worry – we’ll let you know in plenty of time that your renewal date is approaching. We’ll also send you a quote for continuing the same level of cover for the next twelve months. Of course, it’s entirely your decision whether you renew with Ask Acorn – but you can be sure that we’ve looked for the best quote from trusted insurers in Ireland.  

• Can I get car insurance in Ireland with a UK driving licence? 

  As the UK is not a member of the EU, a UK licence held by residents of Ireland is no longer valid for driving in the Republic of Ireland.

• Do I now need a Green Card for driving in Northern Ireland and the UK?

  Proof of your insurance (e.g. a valid Irish insurance disc) will act as proof of insurance when driving an Irish registered vehicle in the UK, including Northern Ireland. A separate Green Card is not required. If you already have a Green Card, check the expiry date and if it is still in date this will also be accepted as proof of valid insurance.

• What should I do if I have an accident?

  • Check for injuries, starting with yourself and then other passengers in your car.
  • Don’t move any injured parties unless they are in immediate danger from oncoming vehicles.
  • Call the emergency services, giving as much detail about the car crash as you can, such as the location of the car crash, number of people and vehicles involved, and any injuries sustained.
  • Do not admit, deny, negotiate or settle a claim without your insurer’s permission.
  • Take note of the following third-party details: names, addresses and phone numbers. The address of the owner of the vehicle you are driving if it’s not your car. The car insurance company name and the insurance policy number as well as the driver’s licence numbers. Vehicle’s registration numbers, car’s year, make, model and colour. 
  • Keep a record of the name, address and phone number of any witnesses. Take photos of the position of, and damage to, each vehicle involved in the collision.
  • Notify the local Gardai immediately.

• What number do I call if I have been in an accident?

  Call 0818 800 222 if you have an accident between Monday to Thursday 09.00 to 17.30 or Friday 09.00 to 17.00. Outside of these times, you should contact your insurer’s emergency contact number. To find this, click here.

• What is breakdown rescue / breakdown assistance cover?

  Breakdown assistance cover typically includes cover for roadside assistance with usually up to one hour’s free labour in the event of a mechanical breakdown, malicious damage, punctures, lost or stolen keys, keys broken or locked in your car, etc. It also covers towing your car to the nearest repairer if it can’t be repaired. Driveway assistance is included in some policies – please refer to your policy documents for full details. 

• What is the breakdown assistance number relevant to me?

  You should check your policy documents or insurance disc for the insurance underwriter relevant to you and call the corresponding number. A full list of emergency numbers can be found here.

• Am I insured to drive other cars?

  Depending on your licence type and occupation, a driving of other cars extension may apply to your policy. This cover provides protection against legal liability for death or bodily injury to a third party and damage to third party property. Depending on the insurer, cover can be either comprehensive or limited to third party only and should be viewed as emergency cover. You need to check your policy documents to confirm.

• Am I insured to drive abroad?

  Your car insurance policy will automatically provide you with cover within the EU. Please refer to your policy documents for details of the number of days’ cover that is provided under your policy.

• Who can drive my car under my policy?

  Anyone who is a named driver on your policy can drive your car.

  If open driving is on your policy, depending on specific terms, any person free from accidents, claims, disqualifications, endorsements and convictions, aged from 25 up to 70 years, depending on the insurer, who holds a full EU or UK driving licence can drive your car. Some insurers exclude drivers with penalty points. Please check your policy documents for full details.

• What is excess?

  Excess is the amount you, as the policyholder, must pay towards any claim you make. You have the option to increase the excess, which will reduce your premium or you may decrease the excess, which will incur a slight additional premium.  No excess applies to windscreen claims or to third party, fire and theft cover. 

• What does a gap in cover mean?

  If there is a break between policies, this is known as a gap in cover. Reasons for this gap must be given and, if applicable, proof of no accidents or claims will be required. Normally the maximum period an insurer will allow for a gap is two years.

• Who do I contact if my car keys are stolen or misplaced?

  If you have misplaced your car keys, you should call your insurer’s emergency number as soon as possible and within 45 days of the insured event.
  To make a claim call 091 894426 and we can help you.

• How can I reduce the cost of my car insurance premium?

  ‘Voluntary excess’ can help reduce your premium. Consider how much you’d be prepared to pay out if you have to make a claim. The voluntary excess is the amount you volunteer to pay in the event of an accident – the higher your voluntary excess is, the lower your quote will be.

• What is open driving?

  Open driving is an optional cover available on your insurance. Open driving allows other drivers to drive your car, with your permission, as long as they are aged from 25 up to 70 years, depending on the insurer, and hold a full EU/UK licence. Driver/vehicle eligibility criteria and restrictions may apply.

• What is windscreen damage?

  Windscreen damage constitutes accidental breakage of the windscreen or any other car window (excluding sunroof) and scratching of bodywork resulting solely and directly from such breakage.

• What does ‘modified’ mean?

  This relates to any changes to your car outside of the manufacturer’s specification that may have been made e.g. modification for a wheelchair, spoilers, alloy wheels etc.

• What is employer indemnity?

  This applies to persons who use their car in connection with their job. The employer will in some cases require a letter of indemnity from the insurance company. This means that if the insured has an accident while driving the car for work, the employer will not be held liable. This applies to those who use their car for work in some cases.

• What is step-back no claims discount?

  This optional extra allows you to step-back your no claims discount, which means that in the event of a single claim, you keep part of your discount. 

• What is protected no claims discount?

  For an extra premium, this option allows you to have up to two unlimited claims in a three-year period, without losing your no claims discount. Some insurers allow up to two unlimited claims within a three-year period without loss of your no claims discount. Please refer to your policy documents for full details.

• What is the premium payment plan?

  Ask Acorn’s premium payment plan allows you to pay your premium over monthly instalments. Your monthly instalments are taken automatically by direct debit from your bank account. The premium payment plan is subject to a service fee of 7.9%. Certain terms and conditions apply.

• Can I change the date the monthly payments are collected from my bank account?

  Yes, simply call us on 0818 800 222 and we can look after this for you.

• What happens if I am late with a payment?

  If your payments fall into arrears we will send a SMS to the mobile number you provided advising you of this. A missed instalment will be re-presented to your bank and a €5 fee will apply. If this re-presentation subsequently fails, a payment by card is required and an additional €15 fee will apply. If we are unable to contact you, cancellation proceedings will be initiated.

• Will my policy automatically renew?

  Every customer is issued with a renewal notice prior to the end of their current policy. Our renewals team will contact you before your renewal to discuss your renewal options. Your policy will NOT automatically renew even if you were previously on a direct debit.

• How do I cancel my car insurance policy?

  If you want or need to cancel your policy, you must return your insurance certificate and disc with a written instruction to Ask Acorn to cancel your policy. 

• What do I do if my circumstances change during my period of insurance? i.e. penalty points, change in vehicle

  You must contact Ask Acorn at the earliest possible stage. Any changes that are made may increase /decrease your premiums. Please note some adjustments to your policy may incur a fee.

• What information from my policy documents do I need to tax my car online?

  You will need the following;

  1. Your car insurance policy number.
  2. The end date of your insurance policy.
  3. The underwriter of your insurance policy – it is important to give the name of your policy’s underwriter, not Ask Acorn.
  4. All the above information can be found on your certificate of insurance or on your insurance disc displayed in your car window.

• How can I make a complaint?

  We are always grateful for feedback and are dedicated to ensuring our customers are satisfied with the service they receive. Please contact our customer care team and we will be happy to resolve any issues.