Category: Blog

Whether you are renting a property or own your home with a fireplace it is important to maintain it. If you are renting, you may want to check with your landlord and arrange who will maintain your fireplace or stove in your home. It’s important to maintain the exterior of your stove and the internal chimney chute. As the winter months sneak in and the darker and colder nights continue, if you haven’t already gotten your chimney cleaned, it’s a good time to arrange it.

General Fire and Chimney Safety to maintain your fireplace

• Do not store wood next to your fire or stove as wood ignites easily.
• Ensure you are only burning dry wood, unseasoned or wood with moisture level over 20% should not be burned.
• Never burn household waste in your fire or stove
• Use fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
• Fire guards should be used when leaving the room or home unattended
• Burn the recommended fuel for your fireplace or stove
• Ensure your chimney chute is cleaned by a registered professional regularly
• If you have a back burner on your stove or fire place, make sure to clean and flues

How often should I get my chimney cleaned?

Depending on how often you use your fire and what fuel you burn, this will determine the regularity of getting your chimney swept. For peace of mind, a professional chimney sweep will remove any build-up of flammable soot and tar deposits within the chimney flue or fireplace/stove. Your chimney sweep will advise on how regular you should get your fire cleaned. A rough guide you can use is:

Smokeless fuels – At least once a year 

Wood/Turf – Up to 4 times a year

Bituminous Coal – 2 times a year

Oil/Gas – once a year

Keeping your chimney clean will also maximise the efficiency of your fuel too. Remember to use a certified Chimney Sweep who will provide a certificate when a sweep has been completed and all safety checks are approved. Some home insurance companies will ask for this certificate when taking out insurance or in the event of a claim.

How should I maintain my open fire?

• Over time the Grate on your open fire will need replacement, check this regularly and invest in a good brand that will last
• Ensure your fireside accessories are in good condition
• Clean the ashes from your fireplace after each use. Ashes should be cold before you remove them to your ash bucket. Be careful of any remaining coal that may still be hot among the ashes
• If you are revamping your open fire, make sure to use heat resistant spray if you are respraying the back of your fireplace from discoloration
• Clean away any soot that may appear on the fireplace surround with a damp cloth. If using a cleaning product, make sure it is non flammable

How should I maintain my stove?

There are two types of stove exteriors to choose from on the market at the moment. Stoves should be cleaned only when cold to avoid any burns.

The first option is an Enamel stove. This is a high gloss finish making it very easy to clean. Regularly wipe the enamel stove with a damp soapy cloth. Next, use a manufacturer approved polish along with a new dry and soft cloth to shine up the stove. Most manufacturers will sell their own brand of enamel cleaner/polish. Do not use any abrasive, wire pads or citric acid based cleaners to clean your enamel stove.

The second option is a Matt stove which follows a much simpler cleaning process. You only need a dry cloth to clean a Matt stove to remove any dust or dirt. It is important not to use any water as this can cause the stove to rust. The best thing about a matt stove is you can freshen up the paint when you need to. Use either a brush paint or spray to refresh your stove. It is very important to use a specific heat resistant paint especially for stoves as it must not be flammable. To prepare the surface before painting, use a grade one steel wool and brush down the cast iron evenly. To apply the paint use a paintbrush or spray evenly. Apply 2 – 3 coats if needed leaving overnight to dry between. When using the fire for the first time after painting, open a window as there can be a smell during the first use.

How should I clean the glass on my stove?

If you have glass panels on your stove, you can keep these clean when the fire is completely cool. Use a stove glass cleaner as recommended by the manufacturer or simply use soapy hot water with a cloth to clean the glass. If there are some harder stains, use a fine grade zero steel wool.

If there is a continued build-up of black stains occurring on your stove glass then you may have been using poor fuel causing creosote to build up on the glass. In order for the glass to self-clean/air wash system, you must be using a fuel that allows for a higher rate of burn and only close the vents when the fire is blazing.

Making maintenance of your fireplace or stove should be a regular thing during the months of the year you use it. Ensure you are safely cleaning your open fire or stove and storing your fuel correctly. If you are in doubt, contact a local professional chimney sweep to assist with any questions you may have. Now that you know how to safely maintain your fireplace, do you know how to protect your home from Carbon Monoxide?

For many of us here in Ireland, working from home was not part of our ‘normal’ at the beginning of 2020. It is during this time that we should become aware of the increased risk of a cyber-attack through our own devices. If you are using your home computer or laptop, is it sufficiently protecting your work? Have you considered that your home Wi-Fi may not be as secure as you think? Since the Covid-19 lockdown, millions of office workers have been forced to become remote workers around the globe. It has created a new wave of opportunity for cyber criminals. Many of whom will seek to exploit the crisis and penetrate corporate defences via these unsecured home networks.

Cyber security company Cynet has identified two main trends in the coronavirus-linked information security breaches. The first being cyber-attacks aimed at stealing remote user credentials. The second involving weaponised email attacks. For example phishing and malware that may not be picked up by home email software.

For cyber criminals it is the perfect time to get a malware link to an employee who is feeling anxious. These thieves may also target the not so tech-savvy end user who may be simply keen to know the latest Covid-19 news and information. One ill-informed action may be all that is required for ransomware to penetrate corporate defences from remote locations.

While highly secure corporate networks should be able to prohibit or at least identify unauthorised activities. Meaning it ensures that data assets remain protected and services are uninterrupted. Home-based WiFi networks and 4G connections don’t have the benefit of corporate security policies and technologies.

This is just another reason why Cyber Insurance should be considered by a business. Any company that deals with customer data is open to a cyber-attack. Employees working from home increases the likelihood of this happening even further.

What steps can I take to limit the risk of a cyber-attack?

If you are an employee working from home you can greatly reduce the likelihood of a cyber-attack.

• Don’t click on any links on strange or unusual emails. Hackers need to be able to gain access to your system in some shape or form and this method is one of the most commonly used
• Ensure you’re PC or laptop has some form of antivirus protection installed
• Make sure your home Wi-Fi is password protected
• Keep your PC/laptop in a safe place when you are not using it
• If you are concerned about a risk of a cyber-attack you should contact your manager or IT department and see what steps they have in place for employees

As a business owner you can take some simple steps to protect against a cyber-attack. Identify the risks in your business with your IT and compliance teams. If you are a small business, identify where you store your customer data currently. Ask yourself is it safe and secure enough. If you are a business owner and still wondering if you need Cyber Insurance, read our article on “Cyber Insurance, do I need it?”. If you missed our article on data breaches from companies you may use everyday you can read it here.

Request a Cyber Insurance quote online with our quick form and a member of the team will be in touch shortly.

The home has always been a place that revolves around your family and it needs to work for you and your family. If you are looking at ways to make your home more efficient, we have some tips that can help. Whether you are looking to increase your energy rating on your home or taking on a new build there are ways to improve your current or new home with a range of home energy upgrades.

It is always helpful to start with what your current BER rating is. You can find a registered BER assessor online and they will assess your home and provide you with a BER certificate and a list of ways to improve your rating.

Some common ways to instantly improve your rating:

1. Lighting

Use energy efficient low energy light bulbs. This will have an immediate effect on your energy bills.

2. Lagging jacket

To save money a thick lagging jacket for your boiler or hot water cylinder will keep the water heated for longer.

3. Check your ventilation

Reduce draughts and check any open chimneys in your home. When chimneys are not is use you could consider using a chimney balloon. It may be worth noting if some vents need replacing to provide better airflow.

4. Windows and doors

A more expensive improvement would be replacing windows and outside doors with double or triple glazed options. Single glazed windows tend to lose a lot of heat.

Some larger areas to focus on to improve your BER rating may be more feasible with the help of grant schemes.

These include the following energy savings options:

1. Insulation

These could include insulation of walls, attic or floors, pipe insulation and removing draughts. It’s estimated that 30% of heat is lost through a badly insulated roof while adding wall insulation to your home improvements could save you up to €600 in heating bills alone.

2. Heating Improvements

Installation of heating controls will allow you to use zoned heating. You can heat water while not turning on the heating to the rest of your house and visa versa. Other heating improvements include solar water heating and replacing an old boiler with an energy efficient one.

3. Renewal Energy Sources

Solar Panels will save you between €200 – €300 on electricity bills while using clean energy sources to heat your home.

Grants are available for home energy upgrades and improvements and/or new build systems under the below schemes and can be found on the SEAI website.

1. Insulation grant
2. Heat Pump system grant
3. Heating controls grant
4. Solar water heating grant
5. Solar electricity grant

Since 2011, seai.ie have been involved in €400 million worth of investment into sustainable energy projects in Ireland. Making your home more energy efficient will help you in the long term with bills.

For competitive Home Insurance Quotes you can click here for an instant quote or call us on 014092600. We offer competitive Home Insurance quotes for homeowners, renters, landlords and first-time buyers.

KennCo Home Insurance covers a range of features as standard, click here for more information or chat to an available agent on our website chat.

As we near the end of Q1 2020 we can see how the media has been emphasising the huge impact online has. From the constant ‘fake news’ stories online, coronavirus information and misinformation overload to the recent Irish election with some political parties utilising online advertising budgets more than others. It has been proven that people are obsessed with being online. Resulting in businesses more than ever are expected to have an adequate online presence, be contactable online 24/7 and always improve their online wings of their businesses. But what level of Cyber Threat is attached to this?

With this constant need to be online we as consumers as well as businesses are opening up to a higher likelihood of cyber threats or data breaches. Cyber Insurance has to be reactive to these changes and prepare for existing and emerging risks.

Cyber threats and data breaches are no stranger to consumers. Many of your daily used websites, streaming services or apps are experiencing hacks or exposed vulnerabilities. Below are a few examples from the last year, some you may even use on a daily basis.

1. Luas

   In Jan 2019, the Luas website was hacked for a ransom of ‘One Bitcoin’. The hackers announced they had access to all data on customers and warned  they would release this if the ransom wasn’t paid. Technicians were able to identify close to 5,000 Luas customers who’s data was potentially affected in the hack. All customers were notified and the website was regained.

2. Facebook

Facebook was subject to a major data breach in April 2019 which resulted in 540 million customer records, usernames, account ID’s being uploaded to another server by the hacker. In September 2019, 419 million phone numbers were leaked accidentally by Facebook. This was proved to be human error proving this can also be a source of a cyber threat or data breach.

3. Netflix

The original streaming giant is one of the most likely sites to be hacked in recent times. This is because of the monetary value placed on such websites. Logins and credit card details can be sold on the black market. With 150 million subscribers worldwide it is a common occurrence for Netflix accounts to be hacked and login credentials changed on the user. Although, it is the user logins that are ‘guessed’ by hackers. Netflix is just as susceptible to data breaches as the next company.

4. Disney+

With the upcoming launch of Disney+ in Ireland this month they US version of the new streaming site experienced a hack immediately after launching the service in November 2019. Hackers were able to successfully hack user accounts and stealing their usernames and passwords. This hack was for the purpose of selling login details on the dark web. While paying customers are kicked out of their accounts.

5. Fortnite

In January 2019, hackers successfully placed a bug on the login page of Fortnite. This resulted in users account logins being stolen and used to purchase in-game currencies. Hackers gained monetary value from this type of hack.

The above are all examples of how the consumer is affected by cyber threats, hacks and data breaches. As a business owner it is your responsibility to put in precautions to deal with cyber threats and data breaches.

If you are a business owner who handles data, you need Cyber Insurance. KennCo Cyber Insurance will protect your business from the impact a data breach. Such a data breach may result in a financial loss, business disruption or reputational damage.

Get a Cyber Quote here now or to find out Why your business needs Cyber Insurance read our blog post here.

Updated Brexit Update – Green Cards, August 2019

Existing Irish motor insurance discs can be used as proof of insurance in the UK. Irish insurance discs contain the name of the insurer, the number or other identifying particulars of the insurance policy issued in respect of the vehicle and the period of the insurance cover. This means they are a suitable alternative to a Green Card.

Note for UK registered vehicles: Green Cards will still be required for UK registered vehicles visiting the EU/EEA (including Ireland) until such time as the European Commission announce to the contrary.

All KennCo policyholders have been contacted via email or text message regarding Green Cards. If you have yet to receive your Green Card, due to large volumes of inquiries, please contact us at [email protected] and we will issue one to you.

As Brexit looms everyone is still waiting to find out if, when or how it will ultimately affect them, their business and day to day life in Ireland and the EU. This has prompted an increase in customers enquiring about driving in Northern Ireland post Brexit, due for March 29^th.

Currently, all valid Irish registered motor vehicles travelling within the EU are automatically covered by EU Motor Insurance Directive (MID) and their terms allowing motorists to move freely between the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, UK and the EU.

However, if a ‘no deal’ Brexit takes place, the UK including Northern Ireland will no longer be part of MID meaning all Irish registered vehicles will need a ‘Green Card’ to drive in Northern Ireland and the UK. All insurers are aware and have been preparing for a situation with a ‘no-deal’ Brexit come March 29^th 2019. Should Brexit be delayed then so will the Green Card requirement.

Confused? We have outlined the basics here for you, so you know what to expect and what it all means:

What is a Green Card?

This is a document that proves that the driver meets the minimum compulsory motor insurance cover to drive in the country being visited, as required by that country. It is an international recognised document printed on green paper or on a green background.

When will I need a Green Card?

If you own an Irish registered vehicle, you will need a Green Card to drive in the UK or Northern Ireland from March 29^th 2019, if a ‘no-deal’ Brexit occurs.

How do I get a Green Card?

Insurance companies and brokers are preparing for the issuing of Green Cards. If you need a Green Card, it is advised that you contact your insurance company or broker one month prior to travelling. They will advise you of the process involved.

If you require a Green Card, you should contact you insurance company. If you are insured through a broker you should contact them directly.

What happens if I have an accident in Northern Ireland or the UK?

A Green Card confirms that a minimum of third party insurance exists to legally drive in the UK. Although an insured driver may have cover that goes beyond third party cover. It is important to know what your own policy includes and excludes. All these details can be found in your policy documents.

Can I use my Green Card on another vehicle?

No. Green Cards are issued based on the vehicles registration and the motor insurance policy covering the vehicle. A Green Card is applicable to any named driver on the vehicles insurance policy.

What happens if I drive in the UK/Northern Ireland without holding a Green Card? 

It will be illegal to drive in the UK and Northern Ireland without a valid Green Card. A Green Card provides proof of insurance cover for the vehicle. Without a valid Green Card, a driver is subject to fines and legal penalties in that country.

I live in Ireland, hold a UK driving licence and would like to be able to continue to drive here in Ireland after Brexit on my UK driving licence. Can I drive in Ireland with a UK licence?

If a ‘No Deal Brexit’ scenario exists on 29^th March 2019, as a resident in Ireland, a UK driving licence will no longer be valid for driving in Ireland. But you could choose to exchange your UK driving licence for an Irish driving licence prior to 29^th March 2019. Currently, the NDLS state that the duration to process a UK exchange application will take a minimum of 17 working days.

Currently, if you wish to exchange your UK driving licence post Brexit, you will not be able to do so. In the case of an agreed Brexit, these terms are subject to change and a transition period put in place.

If you need a Green Card issued in the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, contact your insurance company or broker for more information. All KennCo Insurance contact numbers can be found here. 

Need a Motor Insurance Quote? Get a quote online now or call us on 014092600!

We are coming towards the end of January and motivation might be starting to dwindle on the goals you set yourself at the beginning of the year. We are all well and truly back to reality after the holidays and routines have begun to set in making the excuses easier. If you are struggling to keep up with your new year’s resolution, why not evaluate and prioritise the most important goals. A lot of the goals set for the New Year will be around self-improvement, health or finances. We have a few tips for those of you who are trying to get your finances in better shape this year. Here’s how you can start saving money instantly.

Trying to make financial changes

If you are trying to improve your financials in 2020 there are a few things you can do:

1. Income vs. Expenditure

   Look at all your outgoings and what you have coming in each month. Do you have a phone bill that you are not getting the full use out of? Maybe you are paying that multi-screen Netflix account that all your friends and family are clinging on to. What you need to do is go through a few months of bank statements and make a list of your expenditures. The first thing to do is cancel any subscriptions or monthly payments from things you simply do not use. Second thing is to look at the subscriptions you can reduce or can live without.

2. Debt

   The money you owe is the single biggest thing you need to look at as this is what you are paying off each month. How much interest are you paying on your loan? How much could you potentially save if you were to get rid of your loan in the next 11 months? Some loans will be smaller than others such as a car loan from the credit union in comparison to a mortgage. Consider using any savings you may have to pay off any smaller debts, if you are in the position to do so. The sooner you can get rid of a monthly loan payment the more disposable income you have available to use or save.

3. Set a monthly spend
   

   Setting monthly spends for groceries and entertainment will help you become more mindful of what you are spending money on and show places you could save a little extra each month. Apps like Revolut are helpful for this and give a breakdown of expenditure provided you are using your Revolut card for transactions. Ireland is full of free activities throughout the year so you could incorporate these into your entertainment time. You could experience new outdoor hikes, trails and events instead of a paid activity every so often. If you have an expensive hobby or enjoy keeping up with the latest fashion trends set aside money for this each month and stick to it instead of splurging.

4. Cutting out bad habits

   This will not only help with your finance goal but also with your health and self-improvement goals. Bad habits generally add a cost to your life in the short term and long term. In the short term, you could cut out cigarettes, takeaways, convenience foods and/or binge weekends of alcohol. This will only help improve your financial situation and health. You don’t have to cut them out completely but a reduction will significantly help your pocket. Look at what you are willing to reduce or cut out and see the benefits after just 1 month.

5. Insurance policies

   Money can be saved on your insurance each year. You have two options. One is to try to get a better deal with your current insurer. The second is to shop around for quotes when they are up for renewal. KennCo have a range of Insurance policies you can get competitive quotes for online and over the phone on 014092600. KennCo provide Car, Home, Travel, Van insurance and a range of financial lines products; Cyber Insurance, Medical Malpractice Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance. Quotes available online at kennco.ie.

Whether your goal is to save money, eat healthier or compete in a competition, setting goals will help you succeed. Each month set yourself a small goal that will lead to your end goal in December 2020.

As nationwide initiatives and grants continue in 2019 to promote motorists move to electric cars the statistics match up. So far in 2019, according to SIMI Motor Stats, electric cars sales are up 166% on 2018 figures with January and July the two biggest months for sales in Ireland.

The top 5 best selling Electric cars are:

1. Nissan Leaf

Price starting from: €28,690
Taking the top spot on the best selling electric cars list is the Nissan Leaf. To date there has been 981 units sold which is a 45% increase on the 677 sold to date in 2018. The Nissan Leaf is a 5 door family car with 5 seats with a large trunk capacity of 435L. In 2018, Nissan Leaf was named the World Green Car of the Year with reported savings of up to €1,200 on fuel costs.

2. Hyundai Kona

Price starting from: €21,495
As Ireland’s best-selling compact SUV in 2019 with 949 units sold so far is for you if you are looking for a cross-over style vehicle. It has been thought to be one of the competitors for the Tesla Model 3 on the market. Efficiency is boasted with a 258 mile EPA range from a small 64kwatt battery.

3. Renault Zoe

Price starting from: €25,590
By far the biggest improvement in sales in 2019 with a 213% increase on 2018 figures from 77 units sold to 241 units sold. The Renault Zoe is a great compact car if you are looking for something a bit smaller. Renault are launching 8 new Electric vehicles by 2023 as part of a new electrification strategy.

4. Volkswagen E Golf

Price starting from: €37,250
A player to watch in upcoming years for Electric cars is Volkswagen with a 180% increase in units sold in 2019 with 193 sold. The E Golf model is the first Golf model to get rid of the internal combustion engine and replacing it with complete electric motor.

5. Hyundai Ioniq

Price starting from: €29,745
With a 280km driving range the Hyundai Ioniq has come in the 5^th spot with an increase of 31% in units sold in 2019 so far. This model comes in both Hybrid and electric versions to suit you. Read on to find out why you should invest in an electric car.

The remaining of the top 10 include:

6. BMW I3

7. Kia Niro

8. Kia Soul

9. Tesla Model S

10. Jaguar I-Pace

This year’s top car colours for ecars are Grey, white/ivory followed by Red/Maroon. Dublin tops the county with most ecar sales with 44% of the market share then followed by Cork and Kildare. 

The benefits to driving an electric car

The advantages of making the switch to an electric cars will shortly become the next something you couldn’t live without moment. Remember back to a time you didn’t drive? Now you can’t live without it. Imagine the savings you would make with an electric car!

1. Cheaper running costs

The savings alone from your lack of diesel or petrol consumption will automatically benefit your pocket. This saving will still outweigh your increased electricity usage. Most electric vehicles fall into the motor tax rate of €120 per year.

2. Lower maintenance costs

Less frequent maintenance will be needed on your electric car due to the design of it alone. An electric car has 3 elements; on-board charger, inverter and motor while in contrast a petrol or diesel car will have many more complex and moving parts to worry about.

3. Environmentally Friendly

Ecars have lower CO2 emissions and emit zero emissions from the exhaust meaning you can now do more to actively minimise your carbon footprint.

4. Health benefits

Reduction of air pollution would help improve asthma related issues and respiratory illnesses that have been on the rise in recent years. It has been reported that many locations in Dublin are close to breaching EU safety limits and is expected to continue to rise until 2022.

5. Government incentives and grants

A government grant is available for both your electric vehicle and a personal home charging point. Up to €5,000 grant is available per vehicle, €5,000 vehicle registration tax relief and a €600 grant available towards your home charging point. All grant information can be found on seai.ie.

If you are thinking of buying a new car during the remainder of 2019 give KennCo a call on 014092600 for quotes or visit kennco.ie for online quotes.

With hot weather appearing and disappearing over the last few weeks it is important to keep your pet’s safe while both in and around the home. You might think letting them roam around outside is a great idea but in reality it’s important to know what care your pets need during hot weather.

1. Don’t leave your pet in the car – We have all heard the horror stories on social media going viral over the last few years of animals being left in cars with disastrous endings. You might pop into your local Tesco to grab a few bits and you come back to your car and it’s like a furnace. Regardless of whether you can leave the windows open a few centimeters or not your pet will be uncomfortable and in danger being left in the car.

2. Avoid walking your dog during peak sun hours – The best times for walking your dog during the hot weather is early morning or late evening. You can check the temperature of the ground by pressing your fingers on the ground for 5 seconds. If you can’t leave your fingers on the ground then it is too hot for your dog also. Just like humans, dogs can get sunburnt through their fur and around their nose.

3. Keep your house cold – Leaving your windows open during the heat when possible will really help your pets stay comfortable during the day, if you have house pets. You will often find your pets in the coolest part of your house during this weather so helping them stay cool will keep them comfortable.

4. Shade – If you keep your pets outside make sure they have a shaded area they can rest under during the day

5. Food & Water – Plenty of water kept in the shade to keep your dog hydrated. Adding some ice cubes to the water is a good idea to keep the water cold for longer. Like humans, your dog may not feel hungry during warmer weather. Monitor how much your dog is eating if they are prone to undereating.

6. Avoid dog grooming – Although you might think that by getting rid of your dog’s longer fur it will cool your pet down, it may do more harm than good. Fur acts as a protection from sunburn and overheating.

7. Checking for ticks and fleas – Warm weather will cause ticks and fleas to thrive so it’s good to be vigilant and use the warm weather as an excuse to wash your pets bedding frequently.

8. Keep your shed and cleaning products locked away – You may be using your gardening and cleaning products more freely during the summer months so be careful to keep toxic and chemical products locked away or out of reach of your pets and children.

9. Dehydration – Watch out for the signs of dehydration such as panting, vomiting clear liquid, increased heart rate and restlessness to name a few.

10. Swimming – Dogs who can swim well can be brought to beaches, lakes or canals for some swimming and a quick cool down. Paddling pools and hoses can be used at home and for dogs who may not feel comfortable in deep water.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary with your pet contact your local vet, they will have an out of hour’s number available if needed.

Whether you are travelling solo, with family or friends or with your other half during the rest of 2019 then the choice of travel destinations is key. If you are still deciding on where to book a holiday for 2019 we have you covered with an option for each month left of 2019.

July – Last Minute Sun holiday

If you are looking for last minute deals for July then your best plan is to check online booking websites or visit your local travel agent to see what they might have available. You might even get a great deal! GoHop.ie, Cassidy Travel and lastminute.ie all have ‘Last minute’ search sections to meet your criteria. We tried out a few options here:

1. A family deal in the Algarve, Portugal for 2 adults and 2 children (under 12) comes in at €567 per person for a family apartment including direct flights, luggage, and private transfers. (lastminute.ie)
2. For a couple in Puerto De Ojen, Marbella for 7 nights, 2 people sharing with return flights at the end of July is coming in at €927. *no bags included. (Cassidy Travel)
3. A group of 4 friends in Dubai for 6 nights, 4 people sharing with return flights and luggage to Dublin (1 stopover) at the end of July works out at €639 per person. (GoHop.ie)

*Prices were searched on July 1^st 2019.

August – Family Holiday, Disneyland Paris

Looking for something a bit different for your summer holiday this year? A trip to Disneyland Paris in mid-August is always a good idea. Stay at the Hotel Campanile Val de France for 2 adults and 2 children in a shared room for 5 nights with return flights to Dublin including luggage for €733 per person* with Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios passes for your entire stay.

This August in Disneyland, the Lion King will be a big part of the park with ‘The Lion King & Jungle Festival’ scheduled until September 2019.

Things to do in Disneyland Paris:

1. Over 50 attractions
2. See a live show
3. Meet and greet your favourite characters
4. Visit Disney Village (dinner shows, shopping, dining)
5. Visit Paris (many tours leave from Disneyland on day trips into the city)

(*Priced from Budget Travel)

September – Marrakech, Morocco

A gem of a city in western Morocco at the north of Africa is a quick flight away and a different world and culture the minute you step off the plane. Marrakech itself has a huge amount to do, see and explore from the conservative and traditional ‘Old Town’, Jemaa el-Fna, complete with snake charmers and monkeys to the modern casinos and world cuisine restaurants in the ‘New Town’. Make sure you catch the call to prayer in the evening at sunset in Jemma el-Fna where you can get a great view and soak up the experience while in one of the local restaurants high up above the square. Other places to visit include; Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Mosque, the Medina markets and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.

Accommodation is available in both new town and old town. Old town consists of Riads (small B&B style family run businesses) and authentically decorated hotels. You can rent by the room or in some cases rent out an entire Riad if you are travelling with a group. New town has a large range of hotels that go up to 5-star standard complete with swimming pools, casinos and world-cuisine restaurants.

If you are taking a longer trip to Morocco, add these to your list:

1. Sahara Desert – worth the journey and you can stay overnight and/or take a camel ride, sand surf or go by quad
2. Atlas mountains – The native Berber people live in the mountain in small villages all along the mountain road
3. Casablanca – Recommended for a 2 day trip
4. Hot Air Balloon Experience
5. Chefchaouen – The Blue City

October – Tenerife

Well known for its affordable winter sun you don’t need to venture far away to get (almost guaranteed) sunshine all year round. This is a perfect paradise for everyone from families, couples or groups of friends.

Things to do, if you want to get out of your hotel:

1. Mount Teide – Spain’s highest mountain by cable car
2. Take a hike – Anaga Mountains
3. Beach Clubs – Papagayo Beach Club, Kaluna Beach Club, Monkey Beach Club
4. Fimucité Filmmusic Festival runs until the end of the first week in October

November – Christmas Markets: Krakow, Poland

Europe plays host to Christmas markets galore during November and December with many large and small versions. We have picked Krakow, Poland for our November recommendation. You can experience Poland’s main Christmas market while still experiencing a city perfect for a winter break. The location in Old Town makes it central and accessible to the hundreds of hotels, Air B&B’s and apartment rentals available through booking.com. Enjoy everything that comes with your usual expectations of a Christmas market from the lights, Christmas decorations, unique handmade gifts and the local food and drinks will go down a treat.

Other attractions to factor in on your trip:

1. Wawel Castle and Cathedral
2. Auschwitz – Birkenau
3. Old Town/Market Square
4. Schindler’s factory
5. Salt Mines – Wieliczka

December – Lapland, Finland

Whether winter holidays are your thing or not, Lapland is no doubt one of the most magical places on earth at Christmas time. A once in a lifetime trip whether you bring the kids or you are just a big kid yourself. The main event will be to go and see Santa in his natural habitat at Santa Village, while soaking in all the winter wonderland ambiance. Santa Village includes the post office and Santa’s office. You can visit Santa Park which is a short walk away from the village. It is an underground amusement park with sleigh rides, family workshops and elf shows.

If you are lucky enough to get a clear night in December, you may get a glimpse of the Northern Lights too. Although unpredictable, January – April is said to be the ‘ideal’ time to see them.

If you are heading on a trip more geared to a group of adults, add these to the visit list:

1. Stay or visit a snow/Ice hotel – Snowman World, Snow Village
2. Skiing or Snowboarding at Ylläs-Ski
3. Reindeer and Husky Safari
4. Ice floating
5. Arctic Circle Train

Key features of Travel Insurance you want in your policy

When you are deciding what travel insurance suits you best, make sure you know what is included in your policy, exclusions that apply and if there is any excess applicable. All insurers will be different and may have different travel insurance policies and levels of cover. You will find all the information you need about your cover in your policy booklet.

1. Cancellation

The importance of having cancellation protection included in your travel insurance cover cannot be stressed enough. The likelihood that you have to cancel your holiday is higher than you think. Did you know that you have a 1 in 3 chance of having to cancel your trip before you have gone on holiday? You wouldn’t forget to buy a lotto ticket with those odds.

Cancellation cover will begin on the ‘cover start date’ of your insurance policy or from the date that the trip is booked (whichever is later). Certain exclusions apply to cancellation cover but are clearly outlined in your policy wording.

2. Lost Baggage

If you arrive at your destination to find your luggage has not made it, you will breathe a sigh of relief when you remember your travel insurance policy has lost baggage cover included in your policy. Different insurers will have different limits so be sure to pick a level of cover that will cover what you usually plan on bringing on your trips. Lost baggage and baggage delay is also a feature to be aware of. For example, if your baggage is delayed at your destination, you may be entitled to a certain amount of compensation based on buying essential medication replacement that you cannot wait for.

3. Medical & Emergency

It is essential to have 24/7 emergency assistance when going abroad so you have a point of contact if you need it. Always print your travel insurance documents and carry a copy with you. KennCo have a handy wallet sized card with emergency numbers and space to place your policy number.

4. Personal Accident

This feature will cover you from bodily injury from a personal accident during your holiday(s) covered under your policy. Under this feature, death, loss of limbs or sight and disablement are covered for accidents that occur as a result of personal accident during your insured trip for up to 12 months. If you have any concerns on what constitutes as a personal accident your policy booklet will clearly outline everything.

5. Personal Liability

This includes cover if you are held responsible for bodily injury, death or disease to a third party and the loss or damage of property during the insured trip(s). Similar to personal accident, there are some exclusions that will be clearly outlined in your policy booklet.

KennCo Travel Insurance is an easy to follow product with a simple and straightforward policy document. We provide Multi-trip Travel Insurance and Single Trip Insurance. A Multi-trip policy will cover you, your partner and any dependent children under 18 from just €69. Single trip cover starts from €12.86 per individual and trip.

You can choose between worldwide or European cover and add Winter Sports & Scuba Diving to you multi-trip policy at no extra cost.

For all the information you need on Travel Insurance, click here. Get an online quote or buy online today here!

Terms and Conditions apply. Travel Policy Wording is available on the website.

Top Travel Destinations for 2019

Where was the leaving certificate weather? We have all had to go through this ritualistic rite of passage of the scorching weather during the leaving certificate exams…it seems unfair that this year we are still experiencing rain and cold in June. However, we will stay positive and wait impatiently for a well overdue heatwave. Keep the fingers crossed and check Met Éireann!

As the sun does make an appearance some early mornings and late evenings, here’s some tips for safe driving during the summer months. Longer evenings and more adventurous weekends mean that your car could be experiencing more use in summer months.

Safe driving during the summer months

1. Windscreen and Wipers

Keeping your windscreen clean and clear is the number one thing for visibility. Check your water fluid levels, especially if you are driving in the city, dust and dirt can build up on your windscreen and even block the spray ducts on your car. Worn wipers should be replaced as soon as possible on both front and back of your car.

2.Check indicator lights

Indicators and all other lights should be checked before long journeys and monitored throughout the year. Keep some replacement bulbs at home to change when you need them.

3. Check your Tyres

Check for worn or damaged tyres that may be cause for concern should there be a change in weather temperatures. Increased temperature can increase the risk of a blowout. It is also important to check the ideal pressure of your tyres by checking your manufacturer’s manual outlining recommendations based on time of year and car load.

4. Pack a breakdown kit

You can easily put together an emergency breakdown kit in case of emergency on the road. Include items like a torch and power bank and keep it in your car boot for when you need it. See our blog on the full list of what we recommend adding to your emergency breakdown car kit.

5. Driving while tired

If you are tired while driving, it is recommended to take a 15 minute nap in a safe place or have some strong coffee during your break.

6. Use a Sat Nav or bring a co-pilot

A Sat Nav that gives good audio instructions will keep you alert and on the correct path if you are travelling on unfamiliar roads. Drive carefully and stay alert if you are driving new routes. If you are travelling with someone who can act as co-pilot they can give you the directions as you go along…two sets of eyes are always better than one.

7. Don’t drink and drive

We all know the implications of drinking and driving by now, so don’t do it. Be sure to leave enough time between your last drink and when you are planning to drive a vehicle the next day. If you think you have overdone it, take extra time before you are safe to drive or get a lift.

8. Stay vigilant of road users

Road users will increase during the summer months. People are more likely to take the bicycles out or walk or run outside. Motorbike use will increase as the weather gets better during the year and in the summer. Be aware of your blind spots when driving and be vigilant of other road users.

9. Put the phone away

Stay safe and keep the phone out of sight when driving. It is a big distraction while driving, even if you do not intend to use it. If you are expecting a call or need to be able to take calls during your journeys, a hands-free kit can come relatively cheap and reasonable for a decent option.

10. Know you emergency number

You are 2 hours’ drive from home and you have a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Your phone has no 4G so you can’t access your emails or check online for your emergency breakdown assistance number included on your policy. What do you do? Go walking until you get internet access? This is not always possible depending on the circumstances and time of day/night it is.

We advise all our customers to save our emergency breakdown assistance numbers to their phones in case of emergency. Having these numbers saved to your phone keeps an already inconvenient situation a bit easier.

All emergency numbers for KennCo customers can be found on the contact us page. We provide 24-hour breakdown assistance on motor policies and provide windscreen repair if you need to avail of this service.  

Car Checklist for long journeys

Get a quick Car Insurance Quote online in 10 minutes through our website here or get a quote over the phone with one of our agents on 014092600!

For tips for driving in low sunlight check our tips here.