Business insurance · Ireland · Head-to-head

Arachas (TradeMaster) vs FBD Insurance

Two Ireland business insurance options, compared side by side for Ireland trades.

Which should you choose?

Arachas (TradeMaster) and FBD Insurance are closely matched (both Tier S) for Ireland business insurance. The right choice comes down to fit: weigh the pros, cons, pricing, and Ireland-specific notes for each against your trade and region.

Arachas (TradeMaster)

Tier S · Recommended

Ireland’s largest broker, with a trades-liability product built for Irish tradespeople

Arachas is Ireland’s largest nationwide insurance broker and runs TradeMaster, a trades-liability product covering Irish tradespeople for 30+ years. It targets carpenters, plumbers, painters and builders specifically, bundling public, employers and products liability with indemnities to Irish trade bodies. As a broker it places cover with multiple underwriters rather than being a single insurer.

Pros

+ Ireland’s largest broker with deep trades specialism
+ TradeMaster purpose-built (30+ year track record)
+ High limits — PL €6.5m / EL €13m / Products €6.5m
+ Explicit indemnity to RGII, OFTEC, SEAI and local authorities

Cons

− Quote-only pricing
− Broker model — cover sits with third-party underwriters
− Large-broker service can feel less personal
− Online self-serve limited (phone-led)

Ireland note

Sandyford, Dublin broker; TradeMaster explicitly indemnifies Irish trade/regulatory bodies (RGII, OFTEC, SEAI) and local authorities — strongly Ireland-specific.

Typical Ireland pricing: Quote-based (limits: PL €6.5m / EL €13m / Products €6.5m)

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FBD Insurance

Tier S · Recommended

Irish insurer — €6.5M PL / €13M EL standard, deep agricultural + trades heritage

FBD is one of the longest-established Irish insurance companies — originally agricultural insurance, now broad business coverage including tradesman policies. €6.5M Public Liability + €13M Employer Liability standard cover. Strong Irish brand recognition.

Pros

+ Higher PL + EL standard limits (€6.5M + €13M)
+ Irish-owned with deep local heritage
+ Strong Irish brand recognition
+ Mature claims infrastructure

Cons

− Pricing higher than international alternatives
− Less digital-native than newer entrants
− Ireland-only — no cross-market value

Ireland note

Irish-owned and Irish-focused. PL + EL limits standard are higher than many international alternatives.

Typical Ireland pricing: Broker or direct, varies

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