The verdict in three sentences
A Dublin insurance brokerage managing 3,500 policies with 12 insurers in spreadsheets loses around 8% of premiums each year because renewals slip through without follow-up. Custom broker management software with automated renewal reminders, premium collection tracking and commission reconciliation costs roughly 50,000 to 100,000 EUR as a 2026 ballpark. It also supports compliance with the Central Bank of Ireland's Consumer Protection Code, including the obligation to send renewal notices in good time.
The hidden cost of a spreadsheet book
A book of 3,500 policies mixes motor, commercial fleet, group health, property, liability, marine and some life business. Each line has its own renewal dates, commission rates and insurers. In spreadsheets, follow-up depends on the attention of two or three account handlers. When one of them is on leave, reminders are not sent, and a client approached by a competitor or a direct insurer simply does not renew.
Commissions show the same problem in reverse. Statements from 12 insurers arrive in different formats, sometimes months late. Without systematic matching between premiums collected and commissions received, gaps of 2 to 5% go unnoticed.
| Indicator | Spreadsheet management | Broker software |
|---|---|---|
| Premiums lost to missed renewals | 6 to 10% | 2 to 3% |
| Renewal reminder timing | Variable, often late | Automatic at D-60, D-30, D-7 |
| Reminder channels | Phone call | Email, SMS, scheduled call |
| Unclaimed commissions | 2 to 5% of total | Under 0.5% |
| Monthly reconciliation time | 4 to 6 days | Under one day |
| Regulatory reporting extracts | Manual | A few minutes |
| Book view by insurer | Fragile pivot tables | Real-time dashboard |
Budget 2026: package, custom and running costs
Ireland has established broker platforms, often with insurer connectivity for motor and home quotes. They suit retail brokers well. Custom software makes sense for commercial brokers with complex schemes, bespoke commission splits with introducers, or a need for a branded client portal that packages do not offer.
| Item (2026 ballpark) | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Off-the-shelf broker platform | 60 to 150 EUR per user per month | Strong on retail lines |
| Custom: policies, renewals, reminders | 50,000 to 65,000 EUR | Essential core |
| Full custom: + commissions, claims, client portal | 75,000 to 100,000 EUR | Brokerage with 3,000 to 10,000 policies |
| SMS reminders | 0.04 to 0.08 EUR per SMS | About 10,000 SMS a year for 3,500 policies |
| Application maintenance | Quoted per scope | Monthly retainer |
| Time to go live | 4 to 6 months | Historical data migration included |
The exact scope, with or without client portal and claims module, is set in the quote.
Must-have features for an Irish broker
The policy register links each policy to a client, insurer, line, commission rate and renewal date. The reminder engine sends messages at D-60, D-30 and D-7, then creates a call task, helping meet the Consumer Protection Code requirement to issue renewal information at least 20 working days before renewal. The collections module records payments and direct debits. Commission reconciliation imports insurer statements and flags gaps. Claims tracking follows each notification through to settlement. A client portal lets businesses view policies, documents and open claims, with a full audit trail for Central Bank inspections.
The same logic of due dates and alerts applies to rental fleets, as our article on vehicle rental fleet software in Dubai shows. See also our custom web applications page.
Mini case study
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Aoife, managing director of a commercial brokerage in Dublin 2, manages 3,500 policies for 14 million EUR of annual premium. Her average commission rate is 12%, or 1.68 million EUR of income.
She invests 80,000 EUR in full custom software, with maintenance estimated at 10,000 EUR a year. If lost premiums fall from 8% to 3%, the brokerage retains 5% × 14 million EUR, or 700,000 EUR of premium, worth 84,000 EUR of commission a year. Reconciliation also recovers 1% of unclaimed commissions, 16,800 EUR. Annual gain: 100,800 EUR against a year one cost of 90,000 EUR. Payback is just under 11 months, and the gain repeats every year.
FAQ
How much does insurance broker software cost in Dublin?
As a 2026 ballpark, 50,000 to 100,000 EUR for a custom build depending on scope. A core of policies, renewals and reminders starts around 50,000 EUR.
Does the software help with Central Bank of Ireland compliance?
It enforces the rules you configure: renewal notice timing, document retention, audit trails and reporting extracts. Regulatory responsibility remains with the brokerage.
Can it reconcile commissions from 12 insurers?
Yes, by importing each insurer's statement format and matching lines to policies. Unmatched or underpaid items are flagged for follow-up every month.
How do we migrate our spreadsheet history?
The 3,500 policies are imported after cleaning duplicates, inconsistent dates and misspelt insurer names. Migration usually takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Is client data protected under GDPR?
Yes, with role-based access per handler, encrypted backups, access logs and EU hosting. A data protection impact assessment is recommended before go-live.
Let's scope your project. We start from your real book and insurers to deliver the policies, renewals and reminders core first, then commissions and claims. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
