Mayo among Ireland’s cheapest counties for car insurance
MAYO has emerged as one of the cheapest counties in Ireland for car insurance, according to the latest Chill Insurance Car Insurance Pricing Index.
The new study places Mayo fifth in the national rankings, with an average premium of €616, representing one of the biggest improvements in the country compared with last year.
The county climbed three places in the rankings from May 2025, sharing fifth place with Kerry, while Kilkenny retained its position as the cheapest county overall with an average premium of €584.
The index, which analyses thousands of car insurance quotes nationwide, highlights how factors such as location, vehicle model, occupation, age and driving experience continue to have a significant impact on what motorists pay for cover.
The top 10 cheapest counties for car insurance were:
1. Kilkenny – €584
2. Waterford – €587
3. Wicklow – €592
4. Cork – €596
5. Mayo – €616
6. Kerry – €616
7. Wexford – €620
8. Leitrim – €628
9. Sligo – €636
10. Galway – €637
Chill Insurance said Mayo and Roscommon recorded the largest upward movements in this year’s rankings, suggesting premiums in the west have become comparatively more competitive.
At the other end of the scale, Longford was identified as the most expensive county for car insurance, with average premiums reaching €785.
One of the most striking findings in the report is the reduction in costs for younger motorists.
While drivers aged 17 to 19 still face the highest insurance costs overall, their average premiums have fallen by almost 50% compared with the previous year’s index.
The report also found that insurance costs typically reduce by around 37% after a driver has held a licence for between three and five years, underlining the value of driving experience and a claims-free record.
Hyundai Tucson remains cheapest popular model
For motorists considering a change of car, the index found that the Hyundai Tucson continues to be the most affordable popular model to insure in Ireland, with an average premium of €569.
The Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Octavia were also among the cheapest high-volume models to insure.
The study revealed that occupation can have a noticeable effect on premiums. People working in administrative, educational and legal professions are currently benefiting from some of the lowest average insurance rates in the country.
Insurers use a range of data points when calculating premiums, including claims history, annual mileage, where a vehicle is kept overnight, and the driver’s Eircode, meaning prices can vary significantly from one county to another.
Chill Insurance said the latest index demonstrates that regional trends are continuing to shift and that motorists may benefit from comparing quotes regularly rather than automatically renewing existing policies.