AA Blog

 AA encourages homes and businesses to give their properties the pre winter once over

AA Ireland, one of Ireland’s largest insurers, with more than 200,000 customers is reminding households and businesses nationwide to go over their properties with a fine tooth comb and review their level of insurance cover to make sure they’re prepared for another potential harsh winter.  Last December burst pipe related household claims in Ireland cost €173.1m, while commercial claims amounted to €50.6m.

AA Ireland has released a detailed analysis of a sample of 100,000 rescue call outs attended to by its Patrols within the last twelve months.  The data shows that flat batteries which accounted for a quarter of the AA’s call outs during the period remains as ever the number one reason that cars on Irish roads are breaking down.

Interestingly however AA Ireland notes that flat batteries as a percentage of its overall workload saw a slight decrease based on the previous twelve months from 30% to 26% despite the 2010/2011 freezing spell.

The House Restaurant’ at the luxurious ‘The Cliff House Hotel’, Ardmore, Co. Waterford has been awarded 3 AA Rosettes for its superb cuisine.   

‘The House Restaurant’ led by the Dutch culinary star, Martijn Kajuiter is now one of only 6 restaurants in Ireland to hold 3 AA Rosettes or higher. AA Rosettes are awarded solely for the quality of the restaurant’s cooking that demonstrates consistent standards of all dishes on the menus. Flavours are expected to be well-balanced and each dish appropriately presented using fresh and seasonal ingredients and the menu reflecting an obvious enthusiasm and commitment to promoting good quality food. 

Located in the very heart of the Dublin’s premier retail and cultural quarter, ‘Wilde The Restaurant’ at the world class and recently remodeled AA 5-star Westbury Hotel, headed by Executive Chef, John Nagle has been awarded a prestigious AA Rosette for their superior fine dining experience. 

AA Rosettes are awarded solely for the quality of the restaurant’s cooking that demonstrates consistent standards of all dishes on the menus. Flavours are expected to be well-balanced and each dish appropriately presented using fresh and seasonal ingredients and the menu reflecting an obvious enthusiasm and commitment to promoting good quality food.

It should have been a short journey across town but when one of her passengers had a ‘hiss-y’ fit, the driver knew she was in trouble.

The passenger in question was a seven-foot-long female boa constrictor that decided to slip out of the pillow case in which she was being transported to take advantage of her new-found freedom. 

In a bid to highlight to often well meaning passengers just how dangerous and distracting their “constructive criticism” of someone else’s driving performance can be, AA Motor Insurance today reveals the results of its recent poll which tackles the issue of backseat driving.

According  to the AA’s Motor Insurance Poll which surveyed close to 14,000 people, 60% of us can’t resist taking on the sometimes unwelcome role of co-pilot when travelling with a driver we would classify as inexperienced. 

The possibility of significant job losses at Aviva is a serious concern especially for the affected individuals but it is not indicative of problems in the Irish Insurance Industry generally, according to the AA.

“Motorists and homeowners do not need to worry.” Says AA Insurance Director John Farrell. “The situation relates to one multi-national company and how it structures its operation in Ireland but it has nothing to do with the general insurance situation in Ireland where businesses like the AA are still actively operating.”

Having seen a high number of house contents claims over recent months arising from apartment burglaries, AA Home Insurance is reminding apartment residents to take a hard line when it comes to who they admit into their apartment complexes.

“We appreciate that apartment complexes, with their mix of owner occupiers and renters, can be quite transient and that it’s difficult to get to know all your neighbours.”  Says John Farrell, Director of AA Insurance.  “However we would urge residents to overlook social awkwardness and play it safe by not letting someone they don’t know into their complex.”

The price of petrol and diesel fell back very slightly in the last month but the reductions are not as much as had been hoped, according to the latest survey of fuel prices from the AA. A litre of petrol now costs an average of 150.8 cents, down 1.1 cents from the August figure. Diesel fell by an average of 1.4 cent to 142.2 cents per litre.

An AA Home Insurance poll of over 13,000 people shows that when it comes to protecting our homes against intruders Irish people are willing to go to extreme lengths. 31% of us would confront or attempt to restrain a prowler, and a similar number would scream and shout in a bid to scare them off. Just under 40% would play it safe and hide before calling the Gardai, but nearly 19% would confront them and there were also respondents who said they would shoot or kill a burglar in defence of their homes.