Latest news with #PeoplInsurance
RTÉ News
15-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Travel smart: European Health Insurance Card gives access to public healthcare
The European Health Insurance Card is a valuable resouce for Irish people planning to holiday in Europe this summer. It provides access to public healthcare in other EU countries on the same basis as local citizens. It is one of the benefits of Ireland being a member of the European Union. What is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)? The EHIC is a free card issued by the Health Service Executive. It proves that the holder is entitled to receive necessary public healthcare in another European country while visiting for a holiday, a business trip, or study. "The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is an essential back-up for anyone travelling within the EU," says Patrick Brennan, Health Insurance Expert with NFP Ireland. "It gives you access to public healthcare services if you fall ill or have an accident abroad, often at reduced cost or even free." The EHIC does not cover private medical treatment, or medical repatriation, or other common issues that holidaymakers face, like flight cancellations or lost baggage. Dominic Lumsden, spokesman for Peopl Insurance, recommends travellers within the EU bring their European Health Insurance Card with them. "While it's not a substitute for travel insurance, it's a valuable extra layer of protection, especially if you fall ill or need emergency treatment while abroad." Key benefits for Irish holidaymakers Peace of Mind: Holidays should be relaxed and enjoyable, but it is no fun getting sick or injured while abroad. With the EHIC, Irish tourists have access to public healthcare systems in Europe without the stress of high medical costs. Ease of Access: The card simplifies the process of receiving treatment abroad. Presenting the EHIC at a public hospital or doctor's office provides access to the same services as local people, removing the need to pay upfront or claim reimbursement in many cases. Cost-Effective: While the EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance, it can significantly reduce or eliminate the cost of medical care in the event of an emergency. This can be especially useful for minor illnesses or injuries. Validity across Europe: The EHIC is accepted in all 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. How to Apply Irish residents can apply for or renew their EHIC for free through the HSE website or local health office. It's advisable to apply well in advance of your holiday because it takes up to 10 days for the card to be delivered. "We'd advise holidaymakers to carry both their EHIC and a robust travel insurance policy that covers disruption from protests, strikes, extreme weather, and other unexpected events," says Mr Lumsden, Peopl Insurance. Mr Brennan says it important to check if your card has expired before heading abroad; it is typically valid for 4 years. "If it's expired, you won't be covered, so it's important to renew in time, which can be done easily and for free through the HSE. Don't leave it until the last minute."
RTÉ News
12-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Annual inflation slows to 1.7% in May
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the annual rate of inflation slowed to 1.7% in May from a rate of 2.2% in April. The CSO said inflation was flat month-on-month while the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, which strips out mortgage interest costs, fell to 1.4% on an annual basis from 2% in April. Today's figures show the most significant increases in the 12 months to May were seen in the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which rose by 4%. Price rises were seen across a range of products including meat, chocolate and milk, cheese and eggs. Prices of alcohol and tobacco also increased by 3.1%. May also saw higher rents - up 5.3% - and a 1.3% increase in the cost of electricity. The cost of health and motor insurance premiums also rose last month - increasing by 8.7% and 8.5% respectively. But transport costs on an annual basis slowed by 2.4% mainly due to lower prices for airfares, petrol and diesel, while clothing and footwear prices fell by 1.9%. The CSO also published its National Average Prices for selected goods and services for May today. This shows price increases for a pound of butter, which rose by €1.03, while Irish cheddar cheese per kg increased by 57 cent. Two litres of full fat milk moved 27 cent higher while an 800g loaf of white/brown sliced pan increased by five cent and spaghetti per 500g was up two cent. But May saw reductions in the price of a 2.5kg bag of potatoes, which fell by 25 cent when compared with May last year. Commenting on today's figures, Dominic Lumsden, a spokesperson for Peopl Insurance, said that while today's figures show that the rate of inflation has eased, there are many areas where inflation is running well above average. These include postal services (up 7.4%), hygiene products (up 4.6%) and taxi fares (up 8.7%). Today's CSO figures also show that above-average inflation has also been recorded for many basic grocery items with butter prices up 18%, beef and veal prices up 19.9%, and fresh low fat milk prices up 13.7%, he added. He said for people holidaying at home this summer, the rising cost of cinema trips (up 5.6%), restaurants and take-away food (up 3.3%), and recreational and sporting services (up 6.3%) will eat into their budget. "Another price increase which may have gone under the radar now we're into the milder summer months is the carbon tax increases which kicked in at the start of May. This will push up the cost of home heating oil, coal, briquettes and gas for consumers - making it more expensive for them to heat their homes," Mr Lumsden said. "While it will arguably be the colder autumn and winter months before homeowners feel the real brunt of these increases, the carbon tax hike will undoubtedly put more under pressure," he added.
Extra.ie
10-06-2025
- Extra.ie
Urgent warning for Irish holidaymakers
Holidaymakers have been warned to ensure they have adequate travel insurance for their trip after several European hotspots were hit by power cuts and anti-tourism protests. Spain, Portugal and France were hit by power 'outages' in late April, and local unrest continues amid anti-tourism sentiment. Holidaymakers have been warned to ensure they have adequate travel insurance for their trip after several European hotspots were hit by power cuts and anti-tourism protests. Pic: Inacio Pires/Getty Peopl Insurance has advised holidaymakers to be aware of any conditions and restrictions to their travel cover in the event that a protest or power outage disrupts or delays their holiday. Spokesman Dominic Lumsden said: 'Recent years have seen an increase in anti-tourist sentiment in some European tourist hotspots, with locals in some popular resorts protesting against mass tourism. Thousands protest against the tourism model and mass tourism in the Canary Islands in Tenerife. Pic: Andres Gutierrez/Anadolu via Getty Images 'With more anti-tourist protests expected in parts of the Mediterranean this summer, Irish holidaymakers could face travel disruption and delays.' In the wake of a recent escalation in foreign conflicts, Peopl is also urging tourists to understand any restrictions in their cover in the event their holiday is disrupted by war or armed conflicts. Mr Lumsden said: 'The Department of Foreign Affairs recently advised those travelling to Spain to be prepared to adjust their travel plans at short notice if necessary as a result of protests and public gatherings. 'People should ensure they're adequately covered.'
Irish Independent
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Damage from burst pipes is main reason for home insurance claims
Storm damage was the next most common reason for a home insurance claim in 2024, according to claims data from Peopl Insurance. Four out of 10 claims made were due to damage caused by pipes bursting or other leaks, which can be extremely expensive to repair. Around one in five claims made to Peopl Insurance were due to damage caused by storms, with tiles flying off roofs being a typical reason for a claim. Fire accounted for just 9pc of claims. Other reasons included subsidence and accidental damage. Peopl Insurance provides home, life and travel insurance in partnership with a range of credit unions across the country. Spokesman for the insurer Dominic Lumsden said: 'Given the ferocity of recent storms and the damage that extreme weather can inflict on people's homes and property, it is no surprise that storms now account for nearly one in five of home insurance claims.' He said the most violent storm to hit in 2024 was Storm Darragh, quoting Met Éireann data. Mr Lumsden said it left hundreds of thousands of homeowners without power, and caused considerable damage across the country when it hit last December. 'Given the freezing weather so often experienced in Ireland during the winter, it is no surprise that burst pipes and water leaks are the top cause of home insurance claims here.' He said homeowners should not underestimate the extent of the damage that can be caused by burst pipes and water leaks. A burst pipe could cost tens of thousands of euro worth of damage if water had been left leaking for a few days, Mr Lumsden said. 'The bill for the damage could even be more if a pipe bursts while you're away as you'll likely have to replace plasterboard, walls, wardrobes, kitchen units and so on – and you'll probably have to repair electrical damage too.' The Peopl Insurance figures are for 2024 alone, so do not capture the claims that arose following Storm Éowyn, which struck in late January of this year, and the big freeze of early January. Storm Éowyn wreaked havoc, with winds lifting roofs off some properties, falling trees causing extensive damage, and more than 768,000 homes, schools, farms and businesses losing power.
