A recent Financial Regulator comparison survey of House Insurance prices in Ireland was carried out in took place in February 2011. The following insurance companies were involved in the survey.
RSA , Chartis , Quinn Direct , Aviva , Zurich , Allianz , FBD, AXA, Getcover

The survey was carried out on a fairly small sample - so the results can only be used as a guide. You need to obtain quotes for yourself to ensure you get the best deal. Brokers such as the AA were not included in the survey.

In the Financial Regulator price comparison - quotes were obtained for 8 different properties

In one example a 4-bedroom detached house in Co. Kilkenny. The rebuilding cost is €170,000 and the contents are worth €70,000.
The Cheapest insurance quote was from Quinn Direct - at €257 a year. The most expensive quote for this example was from Chartis Direct at €699 - a difference of almost €442 Euro a year.

Another Example was a mid-terrace, 3-bedroom townhouse in Milltown, Dublin 6. The rebuilding cost is €250,000 and the contents are worth €75,000.The cheapest quote for house insurance was from Getcover - €404 a year. The highest price this time was from AXA Insurance at €686. A difference of €282 a year.

You might get even cheaper insurance by going to an online broker such as the AA

TIP: Make sure you don't under estimate your rebuilding costs. If you are under insured it could affect claims you make in the future. Your insurer could payout less than your claim .

Check the rebuilding cost of your home - don't just reinsure for what it cost. Rebuilding prices have dropped - and the market value would have included the price of the land (rebuilding costs will exclude site costs)

Unlike car insurance - you are not legally obliged to take out house insurance. But if you have a mortgage, your lender can insist that you have buildings insurance so that you can afford to rebuild your home if it is destroyed.