No Claims Bonus Protection: Is It Worth It?
Do you need no claims bonus protection with your car insurance in Ireland?
SPONSORED BY KENNCO INSURANCE
At Changing Lanes, we have teamed up with the experts at KennCo Insurance to explain what is no claims bonus protection and is it worth it.
A no-claims bonus is a discount a driver receives on their insurance premium based on the number of years they have held a car insurance policy without making a single claim.
The discount becomes higher the more years you've held your policy without an accident. A no-claims bonus only applies to the driver who has taken out the policy in their name.
No Claims Bonus
A no-claims bonus will be worth a different amount to each insurer, but you will likely get a considerable discount if you have not made a claim in over five years or more.
To earn a no-claims bonus, you must not have made a claim for an entire year on your policy, and this will reward you with a one-year no-claims bonus. The more years of claims free driving you build up, the more your insurance premium will decrease each year.
This is why drivers should consider protecting your no-claims bonus.
There are two options available to drivers to allow you to keep your no-claims bonus - Full No Claims Bonus Protection and Step Back No Claims Bonus Protection.
1. Full No Claims Bonus Protection
When you take out your insurance policy, you will have the option to protect your no claims bonus. For an additional fee on your policy, your bonus will be protected even if you make a claim.
Purchasing a Full No Claims Bonus Protection is the most expensive option but does offer the most significant protection. So despite making a claim on your insurance cover, your no-claims bonus is still active.
Some insurers may apply limitations to this, so make sure you know your insurer's terms and conditions. These may include restricting the amount of time you can make a claim before your no-claims bonus is affected. Even with no claims bonus protection in place, some insurers may still factor your accident into account.
2. Step Back No Claims Bonus Protection
Step Back No Claims Bonus Protection is when the policy holder protects part of their no-claims bonus. It typically costs less than full protection but offers you less cover too. This protection may apply when you're at fault for an accident. Instead of losing all of your five-year no-claims bonus, you only lose two years and effectively 'step back' to having a three-year no-claims bonus.
Benefits of No Claims Bonus Protection
There are several benefits to having no claims bonus protection, whether it's a full no claims bonus protection or step back no claims bonus protection.
The following are good reasons why you should consider protecting your no claims bonus next time your car insurance policy is up for renewal:
- Cost: Having a no claims discount will significantly decrease the cost of your car insurance. Without protection, you could lose it all in just one accident.
- Security: By protecting your no claims bonus, you will be keeping your discount secure. You will continue to pay less on your premium even if you are involved in an accident. You could receive a reduction of up to 67% by having a full no claims bonus.
If you're thinking of purchasing a new car insurance policy, follow this link to contact KennCo Insurance for a secure CAR INSURANCE QUOTE.
Now find out more about how younger drivers can get cheaper car insurance.
How Young Drivers Can Get Cheaper Car Insurance
Are you a young driver in Ireland looking for cheap car insurance?
SPONSORED BY KENNCO INSURANCE
At Changing Lanes, we have teamed up with the experts at KennCo Insurance to help you with insider tips on how to get the best deal on your car insurance!
If you are a young or new driver, it may be tricky to find affordable and cheap car insurance. As a new driver, you have overcome the hard part by passing your test and getting on the road. But at the end of that, you may feel that getting a suitable car insurance cover is difficult. There are some ways to reduce your insurance premium if you are under 25, which we will explain in this article.
Am I considered a young driver?
You are considered a young driver if you are aged between 18 and 24. It is typically more expensive to get car insurance until you are aged 25. At KennCo, we insure young drivers of 19 years old and above. If you are 18 years old, you may obtain car insurance as a named driver on a policy with an experienced driver, such as one of your parents.
Why is car insurance more expensive for younger drivers?
There are many reasons why insurance is pricier for young drivers. Car insurance premiums are calculated based on the risk of the driver having an accident. Statistically, young drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident than drivers over 25. Drivers over the age of 25 will be more experienced drivers, so the risk of an accident decreases. Young drivers car insurance should decrease with every year of your No Claims Bonus.
Types of car insurance cover for young drivers
There are two types of car insurance cover available for young drivers. it is a legal requirement to obtain car insurance for driving.
1. Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive cover means that your insurer will cover the cost of repairing your car and, if necessary, the cost of any damage or injury to a third party if you are involved in an accident.
2. Third-Party Fire & Theft Car Insurance
Third-Party Fire & Theft covers you if your car is damaged by fire or from theft. This cover also extends to any damage or injury to third parties where you are at fault for the accident. This type of insurance does not cover damage to your car.
Tips for reducing the cost of Young Drivers Car Insurance
There are several ways to reduce your car insurance as a young driver:
- Named driver experience: Your insurer will take any named driver experience into account when you take out an insurance policy in your own name. They will reward you for your excellent driving history if you have not made a claim.
- Pass your test! If you are a learner driver, then the sooner you pass the test, the better. Your insurance will decrease the longer you hold a full license.
- Your choice of car: Choosing a car with a lower-powered engine will reduce the price of your insurance as they are less likely to be involved in an accident. You should also avoid any cars with modifications as you will end up paying extra for them.
- Security: If you add more security measures to your car, your car will be safer from theft and may lower your insurance cost as you’re less likely to claim theft.
- Add a driver: Another way to lower your premium is to add a driver with more experience to your policy. If a parent to partner has been driving for many years, your insurer may feel that you will be safer under their guidance.
At KennCo Insurance, we understand that it can be challenging for young drivers to get their first car on the road. That’s why we’re offering affordable and reliable car insurance for young drivers. Follow this link to the Kennco website to get a Car Insurance quote in minutes.
Now read our article on No Claims Bonus Protection with your next car insurance policy. Is it worth it?
How To Buy The Best Bike Rack For Your Car
SPONSORED BY MICKSGARAGE.COM
Are you looking for a new activity this summer that is fun, healthy, and free? Cycling is a great way of getting family and friends together and adding more fun, freedom, and adventure back into life once again.
With a simple bike rack, you can safely bring your bikes around Ireland on your staycation this summer. Or stay local and explore your favourite places and greenways on two wheels!
But what’s the best bike rack for my car? Cheap or premium? Towbar or roof-mounted? There are lots of different types of bike carriers available for your car, so we have teamed up with the experts at MicksGarage.com to guide you through your options, provide some top recommendations, along with essential information you need to know when choosing the best bike rack.
Micksgarage.com is an Irish company with an excellent website stocking an extensive range of bike racks and other adventure, travel, and road trip accessories for summer 2021.
Read our article to discover the best bike racks in Ireland and start planning your next adventure now!
What do I need to think about when choosing a bike rack for my car?
- The number of bikes you want to carry at the same time. Just one bike or two, three or four?
- Position you want to carry the bikes: a) On the rear door (boot door), b) On the roof of the car, c) On the towbar of the car.
- What type of bikes you want to carry? The only suitable carriers for electric bikes will be platform towbar carriers due to the weight of the bike. If it’s a bike with a very wide tyre width, you’ll need to check that the bike carrier (platform towbar bike racks) will provide enough space to get the tyre in.
Types of bike rack
There are three types of bike carriers for cars you can choose: rear door mounted rack, roof mounted rack or tow bar mounted rack.
1. Rear Door Mounted Rack
Benefits
- Convenient and affordable
- They fit most cars on the road
- Small, quick to set up and remove - only a little lifting of bikes is required.
- Easy to store
Things to consider
- Check your vehicle is compatible with a rear door bike rack. If your car has a plastic spoiler, generally it’s not advisable to carry a bike rack on the rear of the car as the weight of the rack and bikes can cause pressure on the spoiler and because it’s only plastic, could damage it.
- Ladies’ bikes will need a cross bar adapter so that they can easily and safely fit on a rack where the frame of the bike needs to sit on the rack (also available on MicksGarage.com).
Best Buy: UNIVERSAL 3 BIKE CARRIER
The Universal 3 rear door mounted bike carrier comes highly recommended from the MicksGarage team. It can securely hold three bikes and supports a maximum weight of 45kg. The carrier has a universal design and can be adjusted to fit most types of cars including hatchbacks, saloons, and estates. It can also fit 4x4s as well. It’s easy to assemble and folds away for easy storage!
Buy the Universal 3 here.
Browse more rear door mounted bike racks.
2. Roof Mounted Bike Rack
Benefits
- Safe and convenient to use.
- Very secure with locking function available.
- Keeps the boot completely free for access.
- No bikes in your field of vision while driving.
Things to consider
- You need roof bars (also available on MicksGarage.com) and a roof mounted bike rack to carry a bike on your car in this way.
- Lifting of bikes is required to get them on the roof.
- Consider if you’re going to be carrying a roof box or a canoe on the roof at the same time as well.
Best Buy: AGURI ACUDA (Black or silver)
The Aguri Acuda II Bike Rack Carrier is a beautifully designed product. The Micksgarage team say that this carrier is as high quality as a Thule Bike Rack but for a lot less and comes highly recommended. It’s available in black or silver. The carrier mounts to roof bars by a T-Track system (which is included). The carrier can hold wheels sizes ranging from 16" to 29" in diameter and tyre walls with a maximum of 80mm. Wheelbases ranging from 75cm to 130cms fit perfectly. If you love your bike, you'll love the Aguri Acuda!
Buy the Aguri Acuda here.
Browse more roof mounted bike racks.
3. Tow Bar Rack
Benefits
- Extremely safe, arguably the safest way of carrying bikes.
- Very fast to install and remove.
- They look great.
- Very secure with locking function available.
- Can carry the heaviest weights so ideal when carrying a number of bikes or an electric bike.
Things to consider
- You will need to have a towbar installed on your car for this (also available from MicksGarage).
- If you have an electric bike, you really should be only carrying it on a towbar mounted carrier due to the weight of them.
Best Buy: PERUZZO PURE INSTINCT RANGE
For more than 25 years, Peruzzo has been producing bike carriers for cars made with high quality materials. The Peruzzo Pure Instinct range of carriers is a best buy if you are looking for a secure towbar mounted bike rack. Models available from the MicksGarage website can carry up to four bikes. Quick and easy to fit and remove, with a very compact and functional quick release system. Tilts for easy boot loading using a simple foot pedal. Supplied with grab arms for all bikes. Doubly safe with extra safety strap fixed to frame and complete with homologated rear light bar.
Buy the Peruzzo Pure Instinct Range here.
Browse more tow bar mounted bike racks.
Top Tip!
On the MicksGarage.com website, there is a handy tool to help find the best fit for your car for roof bars, tow bars or any other technical part of your vehicle. Simply enter your car registration number and you will be given the best matches for the exact model of your car! For browsing bike racks, you can browse by type of rack to help choose the right one for your car.
If you have any questions or need technical assistance you can call the team at 01-5311337 to speak to a Bike Rack Expert.
How much do I need to pay for a good bike rack?
Bike racks vary in price from €50 to €600. It all depends on the type of rack you want (rear door, roof, or towbar), how many bikes you want to carry at the same time, and your personal preference for what style will suit your car the best.
What essential features should any bike rack have?
This will vary depending on the type of rack:
1. Carrying Weight
Check the maximum load before you buy. Platform towbar mounted bike carriers can carry the heaviest weights, important for electric bikes as they are much heavier than standard bikes.
2. Security
Roof mounted and tow bar mounted bike racks are more secure because they come with locks and keys to secure your bikes to the rack.
3. Bike Tyre Width
This is only important if you have a very wide tyre on your bike. If so check that the platform towbar bike rack provides enough width for your tyre to slot into.
Are bike racks easy to fit?
Yes. There’s a little bit of assembly involved with some models, but it is not complicated, and full instructions are provided. In terms of fitting them to your car, it is very straightforward, and full guided instructions are included with each rack.
Do I need any other safety accessories?
Buying additional foam padding can protect your car and your bike from scratches when you mount/dismount your bike and rack. You can also buy bungee chords or ratchet tie down straps. These are useful if you want to hold things in a little tighter for extra security. There are even wall mounted bike racks available so you can store your bike neatly in your shed or garage when it’s not being used! Browse bike racks accessories here.
By Caroline Kidd
MicksGarage.com have the widest range of bike racks on their website. Check out the full range of bike racks from MicksGarage here.
They are known for fast delivery and excellent customer care, with almost a million happy customers to date and are rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot! Check out the MicksGarage.com website for a huge range of staycation and road trip accessories to make your next adventure awesome – paddle boards, roof boxes, roof bars, gadgets, tents, BBQ’s… and loads more …
What Are The Benefits Of Fuel Cards?
SPONSORED BY iCOMPARIO
Fuel cards have been popular with businesses for years, with numerous benefits for savvy business owners looking to save money and run more efficient fleets. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the market for fuel cards in Ireland and how to find the best fuel card for you!
What is a fuel card?
Simply put, a fuel card is a special payment card that drivers can use to pay for petrol and diesel. You can buy other products too such as tolls, car wash, AdBlue, and engine lubricants, where approved by the card owner. Depending on the card and provider, your fuel card can be used at a network of fuel stations in Ireland, the UK and around Europe.
Fuel cards are ideal for sole traders, new businesses, SMEs, and established businesses with larger fleets. Though there is rising interest in fuel cards for individuals and private use. They can be used by cars, vans, trucks, HGVs and mixed fleets. If you spend a lot of time driving for your business or have multiple drivers on the road working for you, a fuel card may be of benefit to you. The good news is that multiple cards can be issued per business and given to employees. This means that cards can be matched to specific vehicles or drivers. In this way you can track usage per driver and protect against fraud.
How do fuel cards work?
Every fuel card is valid for purchases at a network of approved fuel retailers. The driver just needs to present the card to the cashier or pay at the pump. The business will be invoiced directly. Invoices will show each transaction, location, time, amount in litres and the price charged for those litres. All transactions appear on one simple invoice. Even if you have multiple drivers in your company with different fuel cards.
Many fuel card providers now offer customers an account management system to view invoices online, run reports and monitor usage. How convenient is that?!
There are no interest charges on spends with fuel cards. There may be a small annual fee for the card so the advice is to check with the provider.
Are fuel cards worth it for business?
Fuel cards offer businesses and managers more control over your fleet and expenses. They are ideal if you are a sole trader or small business and don’t have the luxury of a dedicated fleet manager. Fuel cards can ease the burden of administration and make it easier to monitor the efficiency of your fleet. We’ve outlined the main benefits below.
Save money on fuel costs
Signing up for a fuel card means that you can avail of discounted rates and the best fuel prices. This is a clear advantage for businesses that spend a lot of time on the road with perhaps multiple drivers claiming expenses.
Improve the efficiency of your fleet
Fuel cards allow you to easily manage your fuel spend. Every fuel transaction is recorded so reports can be run to pinpoint any inefficiencies in your fleet’s fuel usage. For example, if one vehicle is using more fuel, it might point to driver behaviour or some maintenance being required for that vehicle.
Save time on admin
Using a fuel card scheme reduces your time spent on administrative tasks like recording usage of fuel, gathering fuel receipts or expense forms from staff and comparing them with time sheets. Reclaim your full amount of VAT on fuel spends thanks to no more lost or missing receipts.
More safety and security
You can monitor your fuel card transactions, reducing the risk of fuel fraud. Cards are pin protected for more transaction security. They can also be matched to a driver or vehicle registration number. For further security, you can set a cap on daily spend permitted.
Top tips for finding the best fuel card!
To get the most out of a fuel card, you need to find the card that is best suited to your business. Take into account your fleet size, the region you travel, and your average fuel spend.
Use an online fuel card comparison tool like iCompario to research what’s available in Ireland. iCompario is the largest fuel card comparison site and compares all the major fuel cards on the market. The site has a handy search facility where you can add details of your business to find the best available card for your usage and fleet.
Check the coverage of your fuel card is enough to satisfy your business needs. Find a fuel card with the best coverage and network of sites. For example, do you need a fuel card for the Republic of Ireland only, or do you need coverage in the UK and perhaps pan-European?
Many fuel cards now offer online management software so you can log in from anywhere. In this way you can monitor transactions by card, vehicle or driver, order additional cards or cancel lost cards quickly and easily, and run reports to monitor the efficiency of your fleet. It can all be done conveniently from desktop, tablet or a smartphone. Apps can be downloaded to a smartphone to show drivers the nearest fuel stations that accepts your fuel card. You can also filter by 24 hour, HGV access, etc. to save time on the road.
Every business is unique with different needs and requirements. Find the perfect fuel card with iCompario, the largest fuel card comparison site!
By Caroline Kidd
What To Do After A Car Accident
This blog has been written and provided by An Post Insurance - #ad.
I Had a Car Accident: Now what do I do next?
Check out this handy checklist from An Post Insurance!
Whether it’s a nudge in a car park or a more serious crash on the road, many of us will hear the squeal of brakes and the crunch of a bumper at some point in our lives while driving in Ireland. Thankfully, most car accidents involve no more than some scuffed metal and a bruised ego or two, but they do make for a stressful experience. Being prepared can help you avoid panic and get the best result from a difficult situation.
Based on An Post Insurance’s many years of experience working with Irish motorists, they’ve put together a handy checklist of what to do if you are in an accident while driving in Ireland. Keep it in mind should the worst happen when you’re behind the wheel.
1. First things first
If somebody is injured, call the emergency services straight away. If not, you’ll still need to contact An Garda Síochána, as they need to be informed as soon as possible after an accident, and definitely within 24 hours if the crash injures a person or animal or if your car is stolen or damaged. Apart from the legal requirement to contact the Gardai, they’ve also seen plenty of accidents before, and will be able to help guide you through the process.
2. Keep your cool
It’s easy to get flustered and perhaps even angry in the event of an accident, but it’s important that you don’t get into a conversation about blame and don’t accept responsibility – you don’t want to make an off-the-cuff statement you might regret later. Try to stay calm and polite – even if it means counting to ten several times over!
3. Take notes
You’ll need to take the registration numbers and insurance policy numbers of all the cars involved (if the licence plate is damaged, you can find these on the tax disc and insurance disc on the windscreen). You should also get the name, mobile number and the address of the other driver, and any witnesses that might have seen the accident. It’s a good idea to keep a pen and paper in your car for this purpose – it can be difficult to type into a phone if you’ve had a shock. If you feel up to it though, your mobile phone is a great resource for taking photo and video notes – try to capture details of the car’s position on the road and close-up images of any damage caused.
4. Let the experts do their work
Your car insurance company is there to help in exactly this type of circumstance. The Claims department will liaise with the other parties involved, so you should send them all correspondence or information you receive relating to the accident and let them respond for you.
5. Don’t forget the cuppa!
In Ireland, someone will usually offer you a cup of sugary tea after a minor accident. There may not be any medical proof of its powers, but that first sip of hot tea can feel pretty miraculous when you’re in need of a little comfort and calm.
If you want to find out more about car insurance that goes the extra mile, get a car insurance quote from An Post Insurance now or reach out directly on 1890 22 22 22.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of An Post Insurance. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites and if you click on links to these websites you will be subject to the terms and conditions of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Inver Xtra Now Available Nationwide
Inver, Ireland's fastest growing forecourt network, has launched Inver Xtra, a new and improved standard petrol and diesel with the benefit of an additive. It's available now nationwide from your local Inver fuel retailer.
Chris O’Callaghan, Inver’s Managing Director, says: “Inver Xtra will now be our standard fuel. Our high quality petrol and diesel fuels will now have the benefit of an additive. For the past 35 years Inver has been a reliable supplier of unparalleled quality fuels to the Irish market. We are delighted to continue to deliver on our quality assured fuel promise with Inver Xtra."
Here's everything you need to know about Inver in Ireland and their new additized fuel product.
Who are Inver?
Inver has been supplying fuel in Ireland since 1984. Their retail network was established in 2012 and they now have 60 retail outlets in Ireland and growing. The name of the company comes from the Gaelic word for estuary and is inspired by the company's roots at Foynes, County Limerick, on the Shannon Estuary.
Why are Inver making the news?
Inver has just launched Inver Xtra, a new, even better additized fuel that will be the standard fuel now available across Inver retailers in Ireland.
What are fuel additives?
Fuel additives are compounds formulated to enhance the quality and efficiency of petrol and diesel used in motor vehicles.
What's so special about Inver Xtra?
According to Inver, their Xtra fuels have multiple benefits for the Irish motorist:
- Improves fuel burning efficiency reducing car emissions
- Reduces corrosion for longer engine life
- Cleans your engine to increase its power and performance
Inver say that your car will benefit from the first tankful of Inver Xtra, but optimum benefits are gained from continuous use of the new petrol and diesel.
Why has Inver launched this new product?
To affirm their commitment to Irish motorists and to continuously provide the very best fuel at competitive prices.
Ben Lenihan, Inver’s Retail Director, says: “As Ireland’s fastest growing service station network, launching Inver Xtra was the next step in our nationwide expansion. In keeping with our quality commitment, we are working with a leading international additives provider. They have a long and outstanding history as a global supplier of fuel performance packages and their highly effective formulations bring out the best in fuels and engines. Inver Xtra will provide our customers and the Irish motorist with an even higher quality fuel."
So where can I find my local retailer to try the new Inver Xtra fuel?
Check out the map here on the Inver website to find your local Inver service station.
Anything else we should know about Inver?
Every tank does some good for your car, your pocket and your community. Every time you fill up at an Inver service station a cent goes into the ‘tank’ to help local community projects supporting children, families and education, as part of their award-winning Leading Lights community programme. Over 143 organisations around their network have been supported so far by Inver's Leading Lights.
Why is Changing Lanes working with Inver?
At Changing Lanes, we support any business who is improving their product for the benefit of Irish consumers, in particular motorists. Ireland has a fleet in excess of 2 million passenger cars, predominantly petrol and diesel cars. In conjunction with other measures - for example the trading of older vehicles for newer, more efficient models with lower emissions - we support Inver for bringing an additized fuel to market that can help the Irish fleet to run better.
Caroline Kidd
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Inver Energy.
