Insurance in Italy: A Complete Guide for Expats
This guide covers essential insurance types for expats in Italy, including mandatory car insurance and recommended health and home policies.
Mandatory insurance in Italy
In Italy, the only truly mandatory insurance is for your vehicle (car, motorbike, or scooter). Home insurance and health insurance are not required by law, but they are strongly recommended, as we will explain below.
Expats moving to Italy are generally very conscientious insurance customers: many come from countries where taking out various policies and planning ahead for unexpected events is simply part of life. That instinct is well worth keeping once you are settled in Italy.
Car insurance in Italy
Taking out car insurance in Italy as an expat
When you arrive in Italy, your existing no-claims history from your home country may not be recognised, or only partially so. Without an Italian insurance record, the insurer will struggle to assign you a favourable risk rating. The way risk coefficients are calculated differs between countries, and unless your previous insurer has an Italian branch or is willing to provide an official claims history document, you may find yourself starting from scratch with a higher premium.
Before insuring your vehicle in Italy, remember to re-register it with Italian plates and complete the conversion of your driving licence. You can then choose your payment frequency: annual, every six months, every four months, or quarterly. Monthly payment requires an Italian bank account.
How much does car insurance cost in Italy?
Car insurance in Italy is more expensive than in most of Western Europe, and there are clear reasons for this. Italy ranks 8th in Europe for road danger according to a Stress Free Car Rental study, which means insurers face higher claim volumes. Premiums are often 30 to 50% higher than in comparable European countries, and you should expect to pay between €250 and €1,500 per year for basic cover.
The exact price depends on your vehicle type, the region where you live, whether your previous no-claims history is taken into account, and the level of cover you choose. The good news is that every year without a claim will gradually bring your premium down to a more reasonable level.
How to reduce the cost of your car insurance in Italy
There are three effective ways to lower your car insurance costs:
- The Bersani Law (legge Bersani): if your partner is already insured in Italy, you can benefit from the same risk category when taking out your own policy. Your premium will be slightly higher than theirs, but considerably lower than starting a new contract from zero.
- A telematics device: agreeing to have a GPS tracking box fitted to your vehicle (offered by Sara Assicurazioni, for example) can save you up to 25% on your premium. The system monitors your driving and protects honest drivers in the event of a dispute.
- Annual payment: paying your premium annually rather than in instalments saves around €100 per year.
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Optional insurance in Italy
Beyond car and motorbike insurance, all other types of insurance are optional in Italy. They are not required by law, but some of them can make a real difference to your peace of mind.
Home insurance in Italy
Home insurance in Italy is not compulsory. However, if your property suffers internal damage or is burgled, you will have to cover all costs out of pocket. As in many countries, a standard policy generally includes personal liability cover for added protection.
Unlike car insurance, home insurance in Italy is relatively affordable and in line with what you would pay in most of Western Europe. It remains underused among Italian tenants, but for an expat unfa
miliar with the local market, it is a simple and inexpensive way to protect yourself.
If you own a secondary residence in Italy, home insurance is especially worth considering: a property left unoccupied for several months at a time is more exposed to the risk of water damage, theft, or vandalism.
Personal liability insurance in Italy
Personal liability insurance (responsabilità civile) in Italy works along similar lines to most European countries. There are three main types:
- Motor liability (RC auto): mandatory, included in your Italian car insurance policy — it covers accidental damage you cause to others while driving.
- Home liability (RC habitation): included in your home insurance policy — it covers accidental damage you cause to others within your home.
- Family liability (RC famiglia): covers accidental damage caused by you or a member of your household outside the home and away from your vehicle.
Health insurance in Italy
One of the first questions expats ask when moving to Italy is how the health system works and whether they need private cover. The answer depends on your situation, because the Italian healthcare system works differently from most private insurance models and there is no direct equivalent of a top-up health policy.
In public facilities, basic care is free, but waiting times can be long. For certain medical tests and appointments, a fixed patient contribution (called a ticket) is charged. Once you have registered a GP with your local health authority (ASL), that doctor can refer you to specialists at no extra cost. Medical expenses you have paid can also be deducted from your Italian tax return the following year.
| Have at least one form of private health cover (policy, employer fund, or mutual) | ~40% | Iqvia Italia Health Observatory |
| Covered through an employer collective health fund | 24% | Iqvia Italia Health Observatory |
| Hold an individual private health policy (taken out personally) | 16% | Iqvia Italia Health Observatory |
| Have no private health cover of any kind | ~60% | Deloitte Outlook Salute Italia 2024 |
| Would consider taking out a private policy in the future | ~46% | Facile.it / Deloitte 2024 |
| Are not interested — mainly for financial reasons | ~50% of uninsured | Deloitte Outlook Salute Italia 2024 |
| No longer feel they have no need for private cover (shift since 2019) | from 30% (2019) to 20% (2024) | Deloitte Outlook Salute Italia 2024 |
| Avoid long waiting times in the public system | Primary driver (majority of policyholders) |
| Access specialist consultations more quickly | Most frequent use once insured |
| Cover dental care (least covered by the public system) | ~50% of insured use their policy for this |
| Cover laboratory tests and diagnostics | Frequently cited alongside specialist access |
| Health insurance is a key factor when choosing a job | 75% of employed Italians (Randstad Workmonitor 2024) |
Three situations to be aware of when thinking about health insurance in Italy:
- You have a permanent employment contract in Italy: your employer gives you access to a collective health fund, which can cover private consultations and procedures, often fully reimbursed depending on your sector agreement.
- You are not working but your partner is employed: you can be added to their employer’s health fund by paying an annual contribution of around €200.
- You want to obtain Italian residency without working: you will need to take out an Italian health insurance policy, which costs on average around €300 per year and gives you access to the public health system.
The main insurers in Italy
How to choose the right insurer in Italy
When comparing insurance options, look carefully at reviews, policy details, and coverage criteria — price alone should not drive your decision. Some offers that appear on comparison sites may show attractive premiums while offering limited coverage: partial repairs, undervalued property, and so on.
Start by using a comparison tool such as segugio.it or facile.it to get an initial estimate. Then select at least three companies and request quotes directly from local agencies near you, so you have a real point of contact for any questions. To obtain these quotes, you will need your Italian tax number (codice fiscale), your Italian address, and the details of the property or vehicle you want to insure.
The leading insurers in Italy by market share
According to data from ANIA (Associazione Nazionale tra le Imprese Assicuratrici), here are the five largest insurance companies in Italy:
| 1 | Generali S.p.A. | 15.85% | Italy’s leading insurer, 3rd in Europe, founded in 1831 |
| 2 | Intesa Sanpaolo | — | Recently acquired 80% of Aviva Vita |
| 3 | Poste Vita | 12.62% | Leader in premium collection, linked to Poste Italiane |
| 4 | Allianz Italia | 10.17% | Well-established German group, operating under Lloyd Adriatico |
| 5 | Unipol / Unipol Sai | 7.96% | Leader in non-life insurance, publicly listed since 1990 |
Other companies such as Sara Assicurazioni also offer strong products at competitive prices, particularly for car insurance with a telematics device.
Choosing insurance with Aller en Italie
If you are not yet comfortable with Italian, our team offers a tailored service: we contact three local insurers on your behalf, gather the quotes, and support you through the contract signing process. You get full practical and linguistic assistance at every step.
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To prepare your move in the best possible conditions, take a look at our complete guide on the steps to relocate to Italy and our article on the cost of living in Italy.
Conclusion
Getting properly insured in Italy is a part of settling in that should not be left to chance. Car insurance in Italy is mandatory and tends to be more expensive when you first arrive, but premiums fall with every claim-free year. Home insurance and health cover are optional but worth considering depending on your circumstances. Do not hesitate to use our service to obtain quotes and get guidance through the process.
You can also read our dedicated guide on home insurance in Italy for more detail on that topic.
Frequently asked questions about insurance in Italy
What insurance is mandatory in Italy?
In Italy, the only legally required insurance is motor third-party liability insurance (RC auto), which covers damage you cause to others. Home insurance, health insurance, and family liability cover are all optional, but strongly recommended.
Is home insurance compulsory in Italy?
No, home insurance in Italy is not compulsory. That said, it is well worth taking out: if your property suffers water damage, a break-in, or a fire, you will be responsible for all costs yourself. Premiums are generally affordable and far lower than car insurance in Italy.
Why is car insurance more expensive in Italy than in other European countries?
Car insurance in Italy is 30 to 50% more expensive than in many comparable countries, due to a higher accident rate (Italy ranks 8th in Europe for road danger), a significant level of insurance fraud, and the fact that your no-claims history from abroad may not be recognised when you first arrive. Your premium will decrease each year you drive without a claim.
Is there an equivalent to top-up health insurance in Italy?
There is no direct equivalent to the supplementary health insurance model common in many countries. The public health system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) covers basic care for free. If you are employed on a permanent contract, your employer provides access to a collective health fund. If you are not working, a health insurance policy costing around €300 per year is required to obtain Italian residency.
How do I take out insurance in Italy if I do not speak Italian?
Start by using the comparison sites segugio.it or facile.it for a first estimate. Then contact at least three local agencies to get personalised quotes. Have your codice fiscale, your Italian address, and the details of the property or vehicle ready. Our team can also guide you through all of these steps in English.
What is the Bersani Law for car insurance?
The Bersani Law (legge Bersani) is an Italian regulation that allows you, if your partner is already insured in Italy, to benefit from the same risk category when taking out a new policy. It is one of the most effective ways to reduce your car insurance premium when you first arrive in Italy.
What are the steps to take out insurance in Italy?
The process runs in five steps: get a quote online or in person at an agency, receive a detailed offer, approve the offer, choose your payment terms (monthly, quarterly, or annual), then sign the contract after making the first payment. Cover begins as soon as the contract is signed.
