FBD
FBD is a motor casco insurance for the IE market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
Claims are settled by repair, reinstatement or replacement of the insured car at FBD's option, or by cash payment. For total loss, the maximum paid is the market value of the insured car immediately prior to loss or damage, less any residual salvage value. Repairs are arranged through FBD's network of recommended repairers; if you prefer not to use them, the maximum paid is the equivalent cost of using FBD's recommended repairers as determined by the motor assessor. For hire purchase, lease or finance agreements, payment is made to the owner named in the agreement.
Geographic scope
IE
Full cover in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Isle of Man and Channel Islands; up to 40 days in other EU member states and countries meeting EU minimum insurance directives; sea transit between covered ports. Car breakdown assistance applies in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Isle of Man and Channel Islands only.
Unique selling points
- New car replacement is provided free of charge where the insured car, within 12 months of registration and under 50,000 km, sustains damage exceeding 60% of manufacturer's list price or is stolen and not recovered within four weeks.
- Damage caused by an uninsured vehicle is covered and the no claims discount is fully protected, without requiring the policyholder to pay any excess beyond the standard schedule amount, provided the incident is reported to An Garda Síochána.
- A reduced policy excess applies on private car policies whenever the FBD approved repairer network is chosen for repairs, and car hire cover on private car policies extends to up to 25 days per claim when using the approved repairer.
- FBD is Ireland's largest Irish-owned insurer with over 50 years' experience and a nationwide network of 34 local sales offices, providing in-person, phone and online support backed by a 24/7 dedicated claims service on 0818 18 18 18.
- A '3 for 2' optional extras offer allows CarProtect policyholders to add three optional covers and receive the cheapest one free in their first year of insurance.
Coverage limits
Accidental Loss or Damage to the Insured Car
Covered
Under Comprehensive cover, Section 2 covers accidental loss of or damage to the insured car including accessories and spare parts. FBD may repair, reinstate or replace the insured car or pay a cash amount. The maximum payable for accidental damage is the market value of the insured car at the time of loss, as determined by a professional motor assessor. A reduced excess applies if the FBD approved repairer network is used.
SourceTotal Loss Settlement
Covered
Where the insured car is damaged beyond repair or deemed uneconomical to repair, or is stolen and not recovered, the maximum payable is the market value of the car immediately prior to the loss or damage, less any residual salvage value. FBD is entitled to take possession of and dispose of the insured car. New car replacement applies if, within 12 months of registration and with fewer than 50,000 km, damage exceeds 60% of manufacturer's list price or the car is stolen and not recovered within four weeks.
SourcePartial Loss – Repair of Insured Car
Covered
Where the insured car sustains accidental damage that is economical to repair, FBD will arrange repairs through its recommended repairer network. If the policyholder does not use the recommended repairer, the maximum payable is the equivalent cost as determined by the motor assessor. Parts no longer available are paid at the maker's last published price list plus current labour charges. Transport costs for recovery and redelivery following a covered loss are also included.
SourceTheft and Attempted Theft
Covered
Included under both Comprehensive and Third Party, Fire & Theft cover options. Under comprehensive cover, theft and attempted theft are covered under Section 2 in addition to accidental damage. For TPFT, Section 2 cover is limited to fire, self-ignition, lightning, explosion, theft and attempted theft. Claims for fire and theft do not affect the no claim discount and no excess applies. New car replacement and replacement locks are available where qualifying conditions are met.
SourceWindscreen and Window Glass
Covered
Covers accidental breakage, cracking or chipping of glass in the windscreen or windows of the insured car (excludes sunroof, glass roofs and mirror glass). Standard with comprehensive cover; available as optional extra on TPFT. No excess applies and no impact on no claim discount. If FBD's approved supplier is used, full cover applies. If not used: replacement capped at €223 per claim; chip/crack repair capped at €30 in total. Call 0818 953 953 for approved local repairers.
SourceFire, Self-Ignition, Lightning and Explosion
Covered
Damage to the insured car caused by fire, self-ignition, lightning or explosion is covered under both Comprehensive and Third Party, Fire & Theft policies. Claims for fire do not affect the no claim discount and no excess applies. Flooding and other weather perils (e.g. storm, hail) are not explicitly listed as named perils but accidental damage under comprehensive cover would include sudden unforeseeable events meeting the policy definition of 'accident'. Earthquake, riot and civil commotion are explicitly excluded.
SourceMalicious Damage / Vandalism
Covered
Under comprehensive cover, malicious damage to the insured car is covered as accidental damage under Section 2, provided it meets the policy's definition of an accident (sudden, unforeseeable, unintentional). The general condition requires reporting vandalism to An Garda Síochána within 24 hours. Deliberate acts by the insured driver or with the insured's consent are excluded under the fraud condition. Car breakdown assistance also explicitly covers malicious damage as a trigger for breakdown assistance.
SourceCar Breakdown Assistance
Optional
24-hour emergency roadside and driveway assistance service provided separately by MAWDY (previously MAPFRE ASSISTANCE Agency Ireland). Covers mechanical breakdown, accident, fire, theft, attempted theft, malicious damage, punctures, lost/stolen/broken keys and lockouts. Applies in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. Includes: 1 hour free roadside/doorstep labour; towing to nearest repairer or own garage; completion of journey in Ireland (onward transport, replacement car up to 48 hrs, or overnight accommodation up to €35/person, €175 total) if more than 30km from home; theft replacement car (up to 5 days within Ireland); replacement car up to 48 hrs in GB/Scotland/Wales (max £100); towing to departure port (max £250). No excess applies and no impact on no claim discount. Freephone: 1800 323 888 (Ireland); 00 353 91 560 622 (UK). Must be recorded on schedule.
SourceCar Hire Expenses
Covered
Under comprehensive cover, FBD will pay the necessary and reasonable cost of hiring a car arising as a direct result of a valid Section 2 claim. Maximum: €40 per day, up to €300 per claim. On private car policies, up to 25 days per claim where FBD's approved repairer network is chosen. This benefit does not apply under Third Party, Fire & Theft cover. Separate to the car breakdown assistance replacement car provision. Must be recorded on schedule.
SourcePersonal Accident Benefits (Section 3)
Covered
Section 3 provides fixed monetary benefits where the insured is injured by violent, external and visible means in connection with the insured car or while travelling in any private car not owned by the insured, and within 3 months the accident results in: death €5,000; total and permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes €2,500; loss of one or more limbs €2,500; total and permanent loss of sight in one eye plus loss of a limb €2,500. Maximum €5,000 per period of insurance. An enhanced optional 'Driver Accident Cover' (Endorsement 84) provides: death €20,000; loss of sight/limb €10,000; hospital expenses up to €350/week; medical and physiotherapy up to €1,000. Must be recorded on schedule.
SourceKey conditions
driver_age_experience_limit
Standard open driving (Endorsement 19) covers full licence holders between ages 25 and 71 with the insured's permission. Higher excess applies for accidental damage claims when the insured car is driven by any learner permit or provisional licence holder or driver under 25. Drivers outside 25–71 range can be specifically included by endorsement (Endorsement 10). Third party driving of other cars and comprehensive cover for a temporarily borrowed car also require the driver to be aged 25–71 with a full licence.
repair_network_requirements
FBD operates a nationwide network of recommended repairers. Use of the approved repairer network attracts a reduced policy excess (amount recorded in schedule) and on private car policies extends car hire cover to up to 25 days per claim. If the policyholder chooses not to use the recommended repairer, the maximum payable is the equivalent cost of using FBD's recommended repairers as determined by the motor assessor. For windscreen claims not using the approved supplier, replacement is capped at €223 and chip/crack repair at €30 total.
territorial_scope
Full policy cover applies in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. Cover also extends to other EU member states and countries meeting EU minimum insurance directives for the use of motor vehicles. For events in non-specified countries, the minimum cover required by EU Directives applies. Sea transit between covered ports is included. Full policy cover in EU territories (outside Ireland/UK/CI/IOM) applies for up to 40 days; beyond that, prior agreement with FBD is required. Car breakdown assistance applies in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Isle of Man and Channel Islands only.
anti_theft_requirements
The insured car must never be left unattended or unlocked with keys still inside the car or any window or sunroof open (General Condition 2). Theft of keys from the insured's residence or hotel/guesthouse by forcible and violent entry may trigger replacement locks cover (up to €750). Key theft must be reported to An Garda Síochána within 24 hours and, in the case of a hotel, to the proprietors. Keys stolen by deception or fraud or by a family member normally living with the insured are excluded from replacement locks.
claim_notification_deadline
The policyholder must notify FBD within 48 hours of becoming aware of any accident or event which may lead to a claim, whether or not a claim will be made (call 0818 18 18 18, available 24 hours). For theft, attempted theft, vandalism or other malicious acts, a report must be made to An Garda Síochána (or the relevant police authority) within 24 hours. No repairs may be commenced without FBD's prior approval. All correspondence related to a claim must be forwarded immediately without being answered.
deductible_rules
The excess is the part of a claim cost the policyholder must pay. Amounts vary by claim type and are recorded in the policy schedule. Standard excess applies primarily to accidental damage claims. Higher excess applies where the insured car is driven by a learner/provisional licence holder or driver under 25. On private car policies, a reduced excess applies where FBD's approved repairer network is used (amount in schedule). No excess applies for: fire, self-ignition, lightning, explosion, theft or attempted theft; or windscreen and window glass claims. A flexible excess option is available (increase for lower premium or decrease for higher premium). Any excess is deducted after all other policy terms, conditions and limitations are applied.
Policy specifics
Car Breakdown Assistance
24-hour emergency assistance service in the event of car breakdown, provided separately by MAPFRE ASSISTANCE Agency Ireland
Windscreen and Window Glass Cover
Covers damage to car windscreen and windows as a result of fire, self-ignition, lightning, explosion, theft or attempted theft
Third Party Driving of Other Cars
Provides third party cover to drive someone else's car on the island of Ireland with permission
Medical Expenses Cover
Covers necessary medical expenses up to €1,000 for the insured driver and each passenger following an accident in the insured car
Personal Accident Benefits
Provides personal accident benefits if insured is involved in a car accident, including death cover (€5,000) and loss of limb or sight (€2,500)
Personal Property Cover
Covers loss of personal property in car up to €400
Replacement Locks Cover
Covers replacement of locks up to €750 if keys are stolen from house or hotel room
Fire Brigade Attendance Charges
Covers fire brigade attendance charges up to €2,000 following an incident for which a claim is made
Legal Expenses
Provides legal expenses cover as outlined in policy terms
No Claims Discount Protector
Optional extra that protects no claims discount against reduction following claim
Cooling Off Period
Non-life policies are sold with a cooling-off period of 14 days from date of taking out insurance or receipt of policy documents, whichever is later
Cancellation Requirements
Policy holder can cancel at any time by writing to FBD and must return insurance certificate and disc for motor insurance
Duty of Disclosure
Customer must answer all questions honestly and with reasonable care, providing true, accurate and complete information in application forms and renewal applications
Excess
The part of a claim cost that the insured must pay - amounts vary by claim type and are recorded in the policy schedule
No Claims Discount
Discount available based on claims-free driving history; can be protected with optional No Claims Discount Protector
Geographical Coverage
Full policy cover applies in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, or for up to 40 days in other EU territories
Vehicle Maintenance Requirement
Vehicle must never be left unattended or unlocked with keys inside or windows open
Driving Age Restrictions
Standard open driving covers drivers between ages 25-71 with full driving licence and insured's permission