Allianz Blog Your Car

Weekend Getaways for the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend

Springtime can be a great time to travel around the island, and there is no better time to do this than the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. With Easter falling in late April this year, you may even get lucky with some warm weather! We’ve compiled locations across the country that you could explore over the Easter weekend with both family and friends:

Irelands Ancient East - Co. Kilkenny

At the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, Kilkenny is certainly a place with plenty to offer for a weekend getaway. Originally a medieval town, it’s rich with heritage and an abundance of historical features. Medieval cathedrals and stone bui...

7 Spectacular Drives in Ireland This Spring

Blue skies, milder weather, fields abloom, and a grand aul stretch in the evenings, Ireland is simply spectacular during the Spring and it is a terrific time of year to venture out and explore this beautiful island.

After being cooped up inside the house for the winter, hitting the road and heading outside is a great way to dust off the cobwebs and feel reinvigorated. Also, with the Easter holidays looming ever closer, now is the perfect time to plan a road trip to make the most of the quieter roads.

With so many beautiful places to visit around Ireland, it can be difficult deciding where to go. But don't worry, we've g...

A Vermin’s Midnight Snack Spells the End of a Much Loved Family Car

Our claims team see lots of different claims and some as you would expect can be a little strange, just like this one!

Rats in the Car!

Rodents are always on the look out for a warm, dry place to rest their heads, particularly at this time of year when the weather is changing! Unfortunately for one customer, this particular rodent didn’t just grab 50 winks and leave.

One of our customers left home early one morning and jumped into her car to bring her kids to school, only to find her car wouldn’t start. Her local mechanic attended, and upon inspecting the engine, noticed signs of rodent droppings which suggested rats had...

How to Decide What Car is Right for You

• Consider where and how often you will be driving
• Newer petrol engines have more power
• Hybrid vehicles come in various combinations of electric and traditional
• Technology add-ons are becoming more relevant
• Front wheel drive and winter tyres can be just as practical as all wheel drive depending on the driving conditions you expect to face
• Test drive on a familiar route for the best idea of compatibility

On the one hand, car buyers today have never had it so easy, thanks to a variety of ways in which to purchase both new and used vehicles. But on the other hand, these choices can make it more confusing. Then there’s the consid...

Preparing Your Car Windscreen For Winter

Fill Up on Screen Wash

Aside from the likelihood of more rain, driving in winter months can result in more dirt, salt and other road grime being thrown up on your car. That means you’ll be using your windscreen washers more frequently and in colder temperatures. To make sure that it keeps working optimally, keep the washer fluid bottle topped up with the right mixture of screen wash.

This fluid is designed to have a lower freezing point than just water, so it should also prevent the washer jets from freezing up. However, if these do freeze over, don’t keep the washer lever pulled in as this can burn out the pump. Just p...

How to Prevent Road Accidents This Winter

There are many things that you do to prepare for winter; ensuring that the central heating is working, topping up your home heating oil perhaps, or merely making sure you have a good supply of movies to watch while you curl up on the sofa. But, as winter approaches, it is just as vital to ensure that you have made the correct preparations for your car to reduce the risk of it letting you down. Here are some of our top tips.

Make Sure ALL Lights Are Working

With fewer hours of daylight in winter, it’s more likely that you will be doing at least some of your driving in darkness. Combined with poorer weather conditions, th...