'I'll ask the provider to price match rather than switch'

"In recent years, we have seen the value of our home decrease but the value of our contents has increased slightly," she said.

"My home is worth less than half what I purchased it for in July 2004, and our mortgage is quite substantial.

"We do not pay for accidental damage to buildings or contents and have a standard excess of €500 to keep our quote low.

"We're quite a techie family, with a lot of audio, visual and computer equipment, so we have accidental cover on these items.

"I don't have any other special items in our policy."

Shopping around can be tricky, according to Ms Tighe, with the variety of different details and add-ons to compare.

"The difference between providers can be shocking and I generally expect to save between 10 to 15pc by shopping around.

"Most of the time, I will ask the provider to price-match, rather than having to switch.

"Car insurance is the only one where we shop with a local broker because they will always match what we got online.

"It's less variable than home insurance because you have the age of your car and then whether it's fire and theft, third-party or fully comprehensive."

Ms Tighe, who is in her thirties, is a full-time Community and Events Manager for parenting website eumom.ie and finds that the mothers she deals with are savvy about insurance.

"I think it's really important to set a good example at home and that children are introduced gradually to the concepts of saving and money management.

"Like many moms I know, I shop around and read reviews constantly when deciding which services and utility companies to use."

CIARA TREACY