McCarthy Insurance Group
McCarthy Insurance Group is an Irish-owned insurance brokerage and financial advisory firm operating 16 branches across Ireland, serving over 100,000 personal, commercial, and financial planning customers by intermediating policies from 100+ insurers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1952
- HeadquartersCork, Ireland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What McCarthy Insurance Group does
McCarthy Insurance Group (legal entity Charles McCarthy Insurances Ltd.) is an Irish-owned insurance brokerage and financial advisory firm headquartered in Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland. Founded in 1952 by Charlie and Eily McCarthy, the company operates 16 branches nationwide and employs over 200 staff, serving more than 100,000 customers across personal, commercial, health, and financial planning lines. Its core offering spans personal insurance (car, home, life, health, marine, high net worth, van), 25+ commercial verticals (construction, hospitality, manufacturing, taxi, beauty, food and drink, cyber, professional services, and others), health and dental insurance (personal and corporate), and financial planning services (pensions, life cover, serious illness cover, investments, inheritance tax planning) operated through its subsidiary McCarthy Financial Services, which manages over €300M in client assets.
The business operates as an intermediary representing more than 100 insurers and Managing General Insurance Agents across Europe, earning brokerage commissions on over 100,000 policies placed annually. Pricing is quote-based and varies by risk profile, coverage requirements, and insurer underwriting criteria; for example, young-driver premiums cited range from approximately €576 to €1,487 comprehensive depending on driver profile and vehicle. Digital infrastructure includes the MyMIG self-service portal for policy management and claims, and the Applied WealthTrack client portal with multi-factor authentication for financial services customers. A telematics-based young-driver product (Black Box device plus online driver portal) was launched in 2025. The company is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and is privately held with no external funding, having grown primarily through organic expansion and a sustained program of regional broker acquisitions dating back to 1989 and continuing through 2025 (most recently Dungarvan Insurance Ltd).
McCarthy Insurance Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- McCarthy Insurance Group
- Legal name
- Charles McCarthy Insurances Ltd.
- Website
- https://mig.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1952
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- McCarthy Insurance Group is an Irish-owned insurance brokerage and financial advisory firm operating 16 branches across Ireland, serving over 100,000 personal, commercial, and financial planning customers by intermediating policies from 100+ insurers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
McCarthy Insurance Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Insurance Brokerage
- NAICS
- Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421), Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)
- SIC
- Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Insurance Brokerage (Marine, Aviation, Cyber, Professional Lines) (FSAEADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Individual Health Insurance Brokerage & Distribution (FSAIAEAL), Disease-Specific & Condition-Specific Critical Illness (e.g., Cancer, Heart/Stroke) (FSAIAKAH), Group/Employer-Sponsored Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity (FSAIAKAD)
Keywords
Where McCarthy Insurance Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cork
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices16 records
Markets served
McCarthy Insurance Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Insurance Brokerage Commissions: McCarthy Insurance Group acts as an intermediary between customers and insurance providers. They earn commissions from insurers for placing policies. The company represents over 100 insurers and places 100,000+ insurance policies yearly.
- Financial Advisory Services: Financial planning services including pensions, life cover, investments, and inheritance tax planning. The Financial Services Division has been providing solutions for over 30 years with portfolio management overseeing client assets exceeding €300 million.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Young Driver Car Insurance - Competitive premium examples |
| Subscription | Monthly | Dental Insurance Plans |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
McCarthy Insurance Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
McCarthy Insurance Group is an Irish-owned insurance brokerage that places personal, commercial, and specialist insurance policies on behalf of customers, representing over 100 insurers and Managing General Insurance Agents across Europe. The company also provides financial planning services (pensions, life cover, investments, inheritance tax planning) through its McCarthy Financial Services division, and operates health and dental insurance broking with access to 350+ plans.
Product overview
McCarthy Insurance Group is a large Irish-owned insurance broker offering a comprehensive portfolio of insurance and financial services through 16 branches across Ireland. The company operates as a multi-product brokerage representing over 100 insurers and Managing General Insurance Agents, placing over 100,000 policies yearly. The core offering consists of Personal Insurance products (Car, Home, Life, Health, Marine, High Net Worth, Van), Business/Commercial Insurance products (across 25+ sectors including Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Retail, Technology, Transport), Health Insurance (Personal and Corporate Dental and Health), and Financial Planning services (Pensions, Investments, Life Cover, Inheritance Tax Planning, Savings). Digital service delivery is supported through MyMIG Self-Serve Portal and Financial Portal (Applied WealthTrack) for account management. The company manages approximately €350M in client funds and has over 200 staff serving 100,000+ customers nationwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Car Insurance Personal motor vehicle insurance comparing over 15 different insurers to find the best policy. Offers up to 67% No Claims Discount, windscreen cover, drive other cars option, and 24/7 breakdown assistance.
- Car Insurance for Young Drivers Specialized car insurance for learner drivers, new drivers, and drivers with 0 years NCB. Uses telematics device to track driving behavior with real-time driver portal for monitoring performance and building No Claims Bonus.
- Home Insurance Residential property insurance covering buildings and contents with tailored policies from leading Irish insurers. Includes alternative accommodation cover, replacement locks, 24-hour emergency home assistance, and accidental damage coverage.
- Life Insurance Financial protection products including term life insurance, whole life insurance, pension term insurance, and critical illness insurance. Part of McCarthy Financial Services division with 30+ years experience and €300M+ client assets under management.
- Personal Health Insurance Private health insurance brokering with access to over 350 personal insurance plans. Includes MyClinic virtual health services, Digital Doctor (unlimited GP consultations via phone/video), Healthy Minds (24/7 counselling), and Minor Injury Clinic access.
- Marine Insurance Boat and watercraft insurance covering yachts, motor boats, canal boats, speedboats, RIBs, and barges. Includes coverage for accidents, fire, theft, explosion, negligence, malicious acts, and loss during transit.
- High Net Worth Insurance Specialized insurance for high-value assets including homes over €600,000 buildings cover, contents over €100,000, vehicles over €100,000 (including classic cars), fine art, antiques, jewellery, and watches.
- Van Insurance Commercial and personal van insurance covering delivery services, mobile workshops, and business use. Options include comprehensive, third party fire and theft, business use coverage, uninsured loss recovery, and breakdown recovery.
- Beauty Insurance Hair and beauty salon insurance covering over 1,500 salons. Includes public liability, employers liability, buildings cover, trade contents, individual beautician cover, mobile beautician coverage, and business interruption insurance.
- Business Insurance Comprehensive commercial insurance for businesses of all sizes. Covers buildings, business interruption, theft, public liability, products liability, employers liability, glass, money, and computer insurance (hardware, data, reinstatement).
- Commercial Motor Insurance Fleet motor insurance for businesses with multiple vehicles across sectors including construction, manufacturing, recycling, engineering, retail, distribution, and technology. Includes comprehensive, TPFT, restricted or open driving, and breakdown cover.
- Construction Insurance Contractor insurance for sole traders and companies including employers/public liability, contractors all risks, personal accident, commercial motor, engineering, construction bonds, and professional indemnity.
- Consultancy Insurance Professional liability insurance for advisors and consultants. Covers professional indemnity, errors and omissions, civil liability, employment practices, corporate legal liability, and medical malpractice for various professional sectors.
- Education/Childcare Insurance Insurance for childcare, childminding, summer schools, pupil cover, and parents associations. Includes public/employer liability, personal accident, professional indemnity, and legal expenses cover.
- Engineering Insurance Machinery and equipment insurance covering pressure plant, passenger lifts, air compressors, boilers, gantry cranes, forklifts, freezers, and power presses. Includes breakdown, explosion, loss of use, and additional costs coverage.
- Farm Insurance Agricultural insurance covering dwelling, house contents, farm property, agricultural vehicles, bulk milk tanks, livestock, public/employers liability, outbuildings, tractors, machinery, pedigree livestock, and legal expenses.
- Food and Drink Insurance Insurance for food and beverage manufacturers, importers, and distributors. Covers property damage, business interruption, employers/public/products liability, product recall, marine cargo, and directors and officers.
- Hospitality & Leisure Insurance Hotel, guesthouse, restaurant, pub, gastropub, cafe, catering, and takeaway business insurance. Covers property damage, business interruption, money, public/products liability, legal expenses, and cyber liability.
- Manufacturing Insurance Specialist insurance for factory owners, engineering businesses, machinery suppliers, and manufacturers. Covers products liability, employment practices, property damage, engineering/machinery, cyber, directors/officers, environmental liability, motor fleet, and property owners.
- Property Insurance Commercial and residential property owner insurance covering buildings, contents, landlord fixtures/fittings, and property owner liability. Suitable for single/multi-unit investment property, mixed-use, office blocks, industrial units, and unoccupied property.
- Corporate Health Insurance Group health insurance for corporate and SME employees with award-winning health department. Provides access to private medical plans with MyClinic, Digital Doctor, Healthy Minds, and Minor Injury Clinic benefits.
- Cyber Insurance Business cyber risk insurance covering data breaches, system repair, cybercrime losses, third-party liability. Includes cyber business interruption, hacker damage, and telecommunication fraud coverage.
- Medical & Social Care Insurance Insurance for medical, health, and social care professionals covering computer, public/employers liability, business interruption, medical malpractice, and cyber. Suitable for healthcare practices, care homes, and hospice facilities.
- Motor Fleet Insurance Comprehensive motor fleet solution for businesses with multiple vehicles. Provides analysis of fleet requirements, competitive premiums, and coverage across construction, manufacturing, engineering, retail, and technology sectors.
- Motor Trade Insurance Flexible motor trade insurance covering vehicle sales, servicing, mechanics, car valeters, breakdown services, and car traders. Includes road risk (comprehensive/TPFT), service indemnity, material damage, and engineering cover.
- Professional Services Insurance Insurance for professional services firms covering property, liability, cyber risk, management liability, and professional indemnity. Suitable for accountants, architects, lawyers, designers, recruiters, surveyors, and consultants.
- Retail Insurance Retail business insurance covering grocers, newsagents, opticians, clothes shops, florists, butchers, and charity shops. Covers property damage, money, legal expenses, all risks, cyber, and fidelity guarantee.
- Sport Insurance Sports organization and club insurance covering property, equipment, business interruption, liability, commercial legal expenses, property owners liability, accident, and medical expenses. Covers amateur and professional sports including Gaelic football, hurling, rugby, swimming, and martial arts.
- Taxi Insurance Specialized taxi insurance covering drivers, passengers, and public liability. Features protected no-claims bonus, breakdown cover, windscreen cover, meter/radio cover, dash cam telematics, school collections, and replacement locks.
- Technology Insurance Insurance for technology firms covering professional indemnity, directors/officers liability, office, public/products/employers liability, property damage, business interruption, engineering, and commercial vehicle coverage.
- Transportation, Storage and Logistics Insurance Transport and logistics insurance covering motor fleet, employers/public/products liability, carriers liability, freight forwarders liability, errors and omissions, property, and warehousing risks.
- Travel Agents and Tour Operators Insurance Specialized policy for travel agents covering EU Package Travel Directive exposures. Includes public/product liability, professional indemnity, office/shop insurance, cyber, travel, and travel disruption coverage. Developed in partnership with NBS Ireland.
- Bloodstock & Equine Insurance Equine insurance covering racehorses, broodmares, stallions, foals, show jumpers, and dressage horses. Includes horse mortality, all risks coverage, theft, horse lorry/horsebox insurance, and equestrian property coverage.
- Personal Dental Insurance Dental insurance providing 100% cover for exams, x-rays, and cleanings with financial protection for emergencies. Offers direct settlement at in-network dentists and online claims via member app.
- Corporate Dental Insurance Group dental insurance for businesses providing employees 100% cover for exams, x-rays, and cleanings with financial protection for dental emergencies and major treatment.
- Pension Pension and retirement planning services including personal pensions, PRSAs, group pension plans, company pension schemes, and retirement bonds. Financial advisory services provided since 1991 with €300M+ client assets under management.
- Life Cover Life insurance products including term life, critical illness, pension term, and whole life insurance for financial security and estate planning.
- Serious Illness Cover Critical illness protection providing tax-free lump sum upon diagnosis of specified serious illness including cancer, heart attack, and stroke. Covers cancer-only option and multiple persons.
- Personal & Corporate Investments Investment advisory services for personal and corporate funds. Offers bonds (4-6 year timeframe) with and without capital guarantees, investing in deposit accounts, equities, property, commodities, or combinations.
- Inheritance Tax Planning Estate planning services including Section 72 life insurance policies in trust for beneficiaries to cover inheritance tax obligations. Helps preserve estate value and ensure smooth legacy transfer.
- Group/Company Pension Schemes Employer-provided pension arrangements including group pension, group PRSA, and fusion schemes with independent trustee oversight for compliance with pension regulations.
- Death In Service Schemes Employer-provided death benefits paying tax-free lump sum to beneficiaries if employee dies while employed. Payout amounts based on salary multiples and pension arrangement type.
- Income Protection Plans Insurance providing monthly tax-free benefit if policyholder cannot work due to sickness or injury. Covers mortgage, living expenses during recovery with waived premiums during claim periods.
- Regular Personal & Corporate Savings Plans Long-term savings plans with minimum €50/month premiums and 10-year minimum term. Investment funds with varying return potential including multi-asset funds, higher growth options, and protected funds.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 67% No Claims Discount for customers with 6+ years no claims
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use McCarthy Insurance Group
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
McCarthy Insurance Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
McCarthy Insurance Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Irish Travel Agents AssociationcoreMcCarthy Insurance Group has partnered with the Irish Travel Agents Association to provide a specialist policy for members to cover exposures arising from the European Package Travel Directive.
- NBS IrelandcorePartnership with NBS Ireland to provide a bespoke insurance solution specifically designed to safeguard travel agents from risks associated with the EU Package Travel Directive.
- 100+ European InsurerscoreMcCarthy Insurance Group represents over 100 insurers and Managing General Insurance Agents throughout Europe, placing 100,000+ policies yearly.
- Bank of IrelandminorRegulated by The Bank of Ireland for financial services operations.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves19 records
Expansion highlights6 records
McCarthy Insurance Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Howden Ireland: Howden Group's Irish subsidiary, an independent broker focused on commercial and personal lines via multi-carrier placement; directly comparable multi-branch Irish broker addressing both personal and commercial customers.
- PIB Group: London-headquartered specialist insurance broker group that has grown by roll-up of regional UK and European brokers; directly comparable acquisition-driven broker roll-up strategy, operating in adjacent geographies.
- Chill Insurance: Irish-owned digital-first insurance broker placing personal lines across multiple insurers; an Irish brokerage peer pursuing a contrasting online channel approach to the same Irish personal-lines market.
- O'Leary Insurances: Cork-headquartered Irish broker with multiple branches in Munster offering personal, commercial and financial services; directly comparable regional Irish broker with a similar branch-led distribution model.
- Blue Insurance: Irish-owned insurance intermediary offering personal and commercial lines, plus niche products like pet and wedding insurance; directly comparable in operating model and Irish-market customer base.
- Arachas Corporate Brokers: One of Ireland's largest Irish-owned insurance broker groups, focused on commercial and SME lines across Ireland; closely comparable as a mid-market Irish broker competing for the same commercial book with similar multi-carrier market access.
Broad incumbents
- Aon Ireland: Subsidiary of Aon plc, one of the world's largest insurance brokerage and advisory groups with significant Irish commercial and corporate client base; broader incumbent competing for the same Irish commercial and specialty accounts.
- Marsh Ireland: Marsh & McLennan's Irish operation serving large corporate, captive and reinsurance clients; a broader global incumbent that competes with McCarthy for mid-to-large commercial risk placements.
- Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland: Global insurance broker with a sizeable Irish operation focused on commercial and specialty lines; broader incumbent with overlapping capability in Irish commercial and group benefits brokerage.
Emerging players
- Simply Business: UK-focused digital small-business insurance broker placing commercial covers across multiple insurers; an emerging broker player in the same commercial multi-carrier proposition with a contrasting digital-first model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
McCarthy Insurance Group social profiles
Digital presenceMcCarthy Insurance Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
McCarthy Insurance Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
McCarthy Insurance Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
McCarthy Insurance Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
McCarthy Insurance Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about McCarthy Insurance Group
What does McCarthy Insurance Group do?
McCarthy Insurance Group is an Irish-owned insurance brokerage that places personal, commercial, and specialist insurance policies on behalf of customers, representing over 100 insurers and Managing General Insurance Agents across Europe. The company also provides financial planning services (pensions, life cover, investments, inheritance tax planning) through its McCarthy Financial Services division, and operates health and dental insurance broking with access to 350+ plans.
Is McCarthy Insurance Group a public or private company?
McCarthy Insurance Group is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was McCarthy Insurance Group founded?
McCarthy Insurance Group was founded in 1952. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is McCarthy Insurance Group based?
McCarthy Insurance Group is headquartered in Cork, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does McCarthy Insurance Group make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Insurance Brokerage Commissions are the primary driver. The others are financial Advisory Services.
Who are McCarthy Insurance Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Howden Ireland, PIB Group, Chill Insurance, O'Leary Insurances, Blue Insurance and Arachas Corporate Brokers. Broad incumbents are Aon Ireland, Marsh Ireland and Arthur J. Gallagher Ireland. Simply Business is listed as an emerging player.
Does McCarthy Insurance Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for McCarthy Insurance Group.
What industry is McCarthy Insurance Group in?
McCarthy Insurance Group's product category is Insurance Brokerage. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEADAJ, Specialty Insurance Brokerage (Marine, Aviation, Cyber, Professional Lines), with a secondary code of FSAIAEAL, Individual Health Insurance Brokerage & Distribution. Its NAICS code is 52421 and its SIC code is 6411.