It’s been a busy week in the insurance industry. Over 8,000 motorists insured with 123.ie found they could be due a refund because of technical errors over the last two years that resulted in an overcharge.
While that could be an average of €80 back into each consumer’s pocket, other motorists have had a much more challenging week, specifically van drivers who use their vehicle for commercial purposes.
It was this week last year that Setanta Insurance went into liquidation, and it appears no insurance company had the foresight to predict the potential chaos that would result as an estimated 60,000 van owners tried to renew their policies. That represents 25% to 30% of van drivers in the country and, as these motorists all had to renew their insurance details over the past few days, not only have phone lines been jammed, they also experienced severe price hikes.
Setanta under-priced policies – hence their demise – but now, because all other insurers charge more and most have actually increased their rates even further recently, the market has really constricted in terms of price and van drivers are looking at serious increases in premiums.
Insuremyvan.ie says they have been “snowed under” in recent weeks with calls from anxious van drivers.
Jonathan Hehir, managing director of Insuremyvan.ie, says: “We’re the biggest broker in the van insurance market – with access to 15 different options, so we’re always busy – but at the moment the phones are literally hopping. And it’s tough because although we are sourcing the cheapest premiums available in Ireland, most van drivers are still facing premium increases.
“We have suggested to some insurers that they offer a nine- or 15-month policy to get some of these drivers off the same date, but we have had little joy so far.”
What’s the real price of your health? While value saver meals and microwave dinners can appear cheap, cooking from scratch is where you’ll find real value for your health.
In 2015, SuperValu launched Good Food Karma, a campaign that helped the nation to cook and spend more quality time together, and now they are taking it a step further.
Recent research compiled by RED C reported that, as a nation, we really believe in the benefits of cooking from scratch. However, busy and squeezed lives (particularly younger Irish adults, under the age of 45), lack of inspiration and cooking skills are still cited as the real deterrent. So SuperValu is trying to combat this by focusing on four key food moments: healthy breakfast, healthy mid-week meal, Friday night in and the backbone of every Irish family, the Sunday roast.
Working with an army of foodies including celebrity chefs Kevin Dundon, Martin Shanahan and Sharon Hearne-Smith, athletes David Gillick, Bernard Brogan and Anna Geary as well as the boys at The Happy Pear, they have compiled an array of hearty, healthy recipes for midweek dinners with some more experimental dishes for Sunday lunch, such as lamb lollipops with minted pea dip.
What makes these recipes unique is that when you click into the dish, the method and ingredients are listed, along with a “buy ingredients now” tab. Selecting this option will import them into your online shopping list, which can be delivered straight to your door. It also allows you to see exactly how much the dish will cost before making your purchase.
For all of the recipes, videos with mealtime tips, sample shopping lists and blog posts visit www.supervalu.ie.
Pictured above are Juneau Conroy, one of Ireland’s youngest chefs, with Kevin Dundon and Martin Shanahan.
ALDI’S Cost-Effective Suncreams
We’re always looking for the best deal, and we’re currently quite impressed by the price of suncreams that have just arrived in Aldi. Starting at €2.99 and going up to €5.99, they are coming in up to 60% cheaper than other high-street brands.
They’ve launched a new SPF 50+ range for sensitive skins (€4.99), which is dermatologically tested and free from colours, perfumes, and preservatives, keeping skin moisturised for 24 hours.
The Lacura kids’ sun care range has been formulated with 5* UVA and UVB protection especially for young skin and includes a coloured SPF 30 kids’ spray (€3.99) and, if you do tend to overdo it in the sun, the Lacura aftersun spray (€2.99) is enriched with aloe vera to moisturise skin.
New services to Cornwall
With beautiful countryside, stunning beaches and a much nicer summer than here, Cornwall in the south of England is a great destination for a break away. It has just been announced that the Dublin-to-Cornwall airport Newquay Aer Lingus regional service is set to see increased frequency, an improved schedule and a service that will run through to the end of December 2016.
Once you’re there, everything is so accessible. Going from the west of the county to the east can take under an hour, meaning you can easily explore many parts of the coast. And if you’re planning on travelling further afield to Devon, you’ll be there within two and a half hours.
Services will be running throughout the weekend, with midday departures on Fridays and evening flights home on Sunday making it a perfect destination for a mini break. For more information, log onto www.aerlingus.com
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