If you own a mobile home in Ireland, you’ve probably noticed that finding insurance isn’t as straightforward as covering a regular house. Age limits, planning rules, and a market dominated by specialist brokers mean the cheapest quote isn’t always the right one.
Annual premium range (Ireland): €200 – €600 depending on age and value ·
Maximum insurable age (most providers): Typically 20 years, with exceptions up to 30 ·
Insurers offering mobile home cover in Ireland: At least 6 major brokers and direct providers ·
Planning permission required for static mobile homes: Yes, under Irish planning law since 2000
Quick snapshot
- Average premium range: €200–€600 per year (Britton Insurance)
- Most insurers cap cover at 20–25 years (OBF Insurance)
- At least 6 brokers active in the market (Arachas)
- Exact premium breakdown by provider – not publicly aggregated
- Whether Credit Union mobile home insurance is a separate product or a broker referral
- 2000: Planning & Development Act brings mobile homes under regulation
- 2024–2026: Insurers tightening age limits; specialist brokers becoming essential
- Older mobile homes increasingly pushed toward specialist brokers only
- Online comparison tools like PaddyCompare growing in relevance
Five key facts that shape the Irish mobile home insurance market:
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Average premium | €200–€600 per year (Britton Insurance) |
| Maximum age for standard cover | 20 years (some up to 30) (OBF Insurance) |
| Minimum coverage required by law | None for static mobile homes (Hastings Insurance) |
| Planning permission needed | Yes for permanent dwelling use (OBF Insurance) |
| Brokers active | 6+ including Arachas, OBF, Gallagher, CUsafe (Arachas) |
How Much Does Mobile Home Insurance Cost in Ireland?
Factors that influence premium prices
- Age of the mobile home – older units face higher premiums or outright rejection (OBF Insurance)
- Location and park security – coastal areas and sites with 24-hour security see different rates (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland)
- Value of the mobile home and contents – higher sums insured mean higher premiums (Britton Insurance)
Average premium range for static caravans
One Irish broker states mobile home insurance can start from as little as €210 (Britton Insurance). A comparison site puts the typical cost at around €220 per year (CompareInsurance.ie). Most quotes fall between €200 and €600 annually.
A buyer with a 10-year-old mobile home in a secure park might pay €220; the same owner with a 22-year-old unit could be quoted €500 or declined outright. Age is the single steepest gradient.
Cheapest vs most comprehensive policies
The cheapest policies often exclude storm damage unless the unit is anchored or stayed to the ground (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland). More comprehensive cover from specialists like OBF includes fire brigade charges up to €2,000 and alternative accommodation up to 10% of the structure sum (OBF Insurance Group policy document).
What Is the Best Insurance Company for a Mobile Home in Ireland?
Top brokers and direct insurers
- Arachas – markets low-cost caravan cover across Ireland (Arachas)
- OBF Insurance – describes itself as the longest-established provider of mobile-home insurance in Ireland (OBF Insurance)
- Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) – offers policies with benefits like alternative accommodation cover (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland)
- Britton Insurance – checks for competitive prices based on individual requirements (Britton Insurance)
- Hastings Insurance – offers tailored holiday home cover (Hastings Insurance)
| Broker/Insurer | Key strength | Contact method |
|---|---|---|
| Arachas | Low-cost caravan cover | Phone quote (01 486 9775) (Arachas) |
| OBF Insurance | Longest-established specialist | Online quote (OBF Insurance) |
| Gallagher (AJG) | Alternative accommodation benefit | Phone quote (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland) |
| Britton Insurance | Personalised price check | Phone quote (Britton Insurance) |
| Hastings Insurance | Tailored holiday home cover | Online quote (Hastings Insurance) |
The pattern: there is no single “best” insurer. If your mobile home is over 20 years old, most standard brokers will auto-reject you, and your only path is a specialist like OBF or Gallagher.
There is no single “best” insurer. If your mobile home is over 20 years old, most standard brokers will auto-reject you, and your only path is a specialist like OBF or Gallagher.
What Kind of Insurance Do You Have to Have on a Mobile Home?
Third-party vs comprehensive cover
Unlike motor insurance, static mobile homes have no legal compulsion for cover in Ireland (Hastings Insurance). However, most site operators require public liability insurance as a condition of siting (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland).
Required coverage by law
None. But if you use the mobile home as a primary residence, planning permission is required under the Planning & Development Act 2000 (OBF Insurance), and insurers may require proof of compliance.
Additional protections
- Standard cover: fire, storm, theft, vandalism, accidental damage (Hastings Insurance)
- Optional: public liability, contents insurance, breakdown cover (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland)
- Some policies cover fixtures, fittings, aerials, verandas, decking, and sheds (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland)
The implication: an uninsured mobile home hit by a February storm could cost €15,000+ to repair. Without planning permission, your insurer could void the entire policy, leaving you with zero cover.
An uninsured mobile home hit by a February storm could cost €15,000+ to repair. Without planning permission, your insurer could void the entire policy, leaving you with zero cover.
What Is the Oldest Mobile Home That Can Be Insured in Ireland?
Age limits imposed by insurers
Most insurers cap cover at 20–25 years for standard policies (OBF Insurance). Some specialist brokers accept up to 30 years, but often require a condition survey (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland).
How to insure an older mobile home (15-30 years)
- Contact specialist brokers like OBF or Gallagher directly (OBF Insurance)
- Prepare for a condition survey – insurers may require professional assessment (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland)
- Consider contents-only cover if structure cover is unavailable (Hastings Insurance)
Options for mobile homes older than 25 years
Specialist insurers like OBF sometimes cover homes up to 30 years, but premiums rise sharply and policy terms may exclude storm damage (OBF Insurance). Dolmen Insurance also markets specialist cover for holiday homes of any age (Dolmen Insurance).
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Mobile Home in Ireland?
When planning permission is required
Planning permission is required for static mobile homes used as permanent dwellings under the Planning & Development Act 2000 (OBF Insurance). This applies whether the home is on private land or in a residential park.
Exemptions and temporary uses
- Temporary siting on farmland for up to 9 months is generally exempt (OBF Insurance)
- Holiday homes on licensed parks are often exempt from separate permission (Hastings Insurance)
Insurance implications of unpermitted placements
Parking a mobile home without required planning permission can invalidate your insurance policy (OBF Insurance). Insurers routinely ask for planning documentation for permanent residences.
A mobile home owner who places a unit without planning permission saves the application fee but risks being left with no cover after a storm or fire. The policy is void the moment loss occurs.
Which Insurers Specialise in Mobile Home Cover?
Arachas Mobile Home Insurance
Arachas markets low-cost caravan cover across Ireland and offers phone-based quotes (Arachas). Their mobile-home policy covers fire, storm, and theft.
OBF Mobile Home Insurance
OBF describes itself as the longest-established provider of mobile-home insurance in Ireland (OBF Insurance). Their policy PDF shows cover for fire brigade charges (up to €2,000) and alternative accommodation (up to 10% of structure sum) (OBF Insurance Group policy document).
CUsafe Mobile Home Insurance
CUsafe offers mobile home insurance through credit unions in Ireland. It is a broker referral product, not a separate insurance policy (CUsafe).
Gallagher Mobile Home Insurance
Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland provides mobile home cover with benefits including alternative accommodation if the unit becomes uninhabitable (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland).
PaddyCompare comparison service
PaddyCompare allows customers to compare mobile home insurance quotes from multiple providers in one place (PaddyCompare). This is useful for price-aware buyers.
| Insurer | Type | Key benefit | Age limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arachas | Broker | Low-cost cover | 20–25 years (Arachas) |
| OBF | Specialist | Longest-established; fire brigade cover | Up to 30 years (OBF Insurance) |
| Gallagher (AJG) | Broker | Alternative accommodation | 20–25 years (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland) |
| Hastings | Insurer | Tailored holiday home cover | 20–25 years (Hastings Insurance) |
| CUsafe | Referral | Credit union availability | Varies (CUsafe) |
| Britton | Broker | Personalised price check | 20–25 years (Britton Insurance) |
The pattern: specialist brokers like OBF and Gallagher accept older homes; general brokers like Arachas and Hastings cap at 20–25 years. Credit union options through CUsafe offer convenience for younger mobile homes.
Specialist brokers like OBF and Gallagher accept older homes; general brokers like Arachas and Hastings cap at 20–25 years. Credit union options through CUsafe offer convenience for younger mobile homes.
“Contact one of our specialist mobile home insurance experts today 01 486 9775 for advice and assistance.”
Arachas
“We can offer you a mobile home policy that gives you some great policy benefits.”
Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland
For Irish mobile home owners, the choice between a general broker and a specialist comes down to one number: your home’s age. A 12-year-old unit on a licensed park can be covered cheaply through Arachas or Hastings. An 18-year-old home sitting on private land needs OBF or Gallagher. The market has split cleanly along this line, and insurers show no sign of reversing course.
Related reading: Security Cameras for Your Home: 2025 Buying Guide · Best Loan Rates Ireland: Compare Cheap Personal Loans
For those with a second property, exploring holiday home insurance options can help ensure seasonal homes are adequately covered.
Frequently asked questions
Is mobile home insurance the same as caravan insurance?
Not exactly. Mobile home insurance (for static park homes) typically covers the structure plus fixtures like verandas, whereas touring caravan insurance is focused on mobility and road use (OBF Insurance).
Does home contents insurance cover my mobile home?
Standard home contents insurance generally does not cover a separate mobile home or caravan. You need a dedicated mobile home policy (Hastings Insurance).
Can I get mobile home insurance if I live in it year-round?
Yes, but you need a policy that covers permanent residence. OBF’s policy includes alternative accommodation up to 10% of the structure sum if the home is a permanent residence (OBF Insurance Group policy document).
Are mobile homes covered under standard home insurance?
No. A specialist mobile home policy is required. Standard home insurance excludes caravan/mobile home structures (The AA/Allianz policy booklet).
What documents do I need to apply for mobile home insurance?
You typically need: proof of ownership, details of the mobile home (age, make, model), site location, planning permission documents if applicable, and security details (Britton Insurance).
Does mobile home insurance cover storm damage?
Usually, but only if the unit is properly anchored or stayed to the ground. Policies from Gallagher explicitly require this (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland).
How do I make a claim on my mobile home insurance?
Contact your insurer or broker directly. For Gallagher policies, claims are handled through their UK-based claims team (Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland). OBF provides details in their policy document (OBF Insurance Group policy document).