Category: Uncategorised

Pesky Potholes…How to claim for your damage!

Posted on by Jessica Lee

The roads across Northern Ireland are getting increasingly worse with potholes and even craters appearing more frequently and growing bigger by the day!

I’m sure we have all experienced the loud bang as we’ve hit a pothole causing our face to scrunch as you hope there hasn’t been any damage caused.

In some cases you are lucky enough that your wheels remain unscathed. However, in other cases you may not be so lucky and you discover that your wheel, that used to be in the shape of circle, isn’t quite as circular anymore!

Potholes can cause punctures, cracks and dents to the alloys or wheels alone, never mind the additional damage that can be caused underneath the surface! The damage repairs can amount to hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

Did you know you can claim for these repairs through your comprehensive policy?

Here’s what you need to do:

  1.  Take images of the damage to your vehicle.
  2.  Take images of the pothole in the road and measure the depth and width of the pothole if possible. If you don’t have anything to use to measure, use an object of some sort in your photo to show the size comparison.
  3. Report the pothole via Report a pothole | nidirect
  4. Get an estimate for the repairs to your vehicle from an approved repairer recommended by your insurance company or from your own repairer.
  5. Contact your dedicated claims handlers for your insurance broker or insurance company and initiate the claim process.
  6. Send your estimate in for approval by your insurance company – this is to ensure the garage you are using (if not approved) aren’t overcharging for labour or repairs. Once approved, your garage will be notified and can begin the repairs.
  7. On completion of repairs, pay the excess on your policy, ensuring you retain the receipt. 
  8. Complete a ‘claiming compensation form’ to initiate a claim against the Department of Infrastructure via Claiming compensation due to a road or street problem

The claim process against the Department of Infrastructure can take up to 6 months and so this is why we suggest claiming through your insurance policy initially to ensure you can get your vehicle repaired and get back on the road as soon as possible.

So, in the unfortunate case that you do end up with a damaged vehicle following an unwelcome meeting with a pothole, don’t hesitate to call your claims handling agents to assist you in getting back on the road again!

WORKING FROM HOME: Tips to keep you going

Posted on by Jessica Lee

Here at MIS, the majority of our staff are now working from home due to COVID-19 in order to allow us to continue to provide essential claims services, breakdown recovery services and to assist our broker partners with renewals and advice.

However, we understand that although being able to work from home is a privilege in these times it can be tough to maintain a healthy work environment and a healthy mind. We have compiled some tips to help see our staff through these times and thought we would share them all with you below.

1) Try and set up a work space for yourself

Whether this be in a study, kitchen or living room we suggest setting up a work space with all things work related that you will need, essentially building your work desk in your home. It is important to try and separate your work space from the places that you will be relaxing in order to create a boundary. If, for example, you set your workspace up in your bedroom, it may be hard for you to switch off at night when you need to relax. It is best to set up where you are least likely to be disturbed or distracted to keep you focused on the task in hand (this is hard especially when the kids are home. We can sympathise). We recommend that you set up somewhere with lots of natural light too. Not only can harsh indoor lighting hurt your eyes and make you feel more tired but natural light can also help keep you feeling motivated, especially when the sun is shining.

2) Clean, clean, clean

The words you are probably sick of hearing by now but we aren’t asking you to go all Mrs Hinch on us. Not only is it essential to wash your hands regularly singing Happy Birthday, Wagon Wheel, or whatever song you prefer (we won’t judge) but you should also ensure you are cleaning any surfaces and equipment including laptops, iPads, mobile phones, folders and any other items that you are touching constantly. Think of your keyboard and mouse to start, even if you are the only one using them.

3) Get dressed

It is all too tempting to stay in your pyjamas when you don’t need to leave the house but in order to keep yourself motivated you should get up, get showered and change into some clothes. These don’t obviously need to be work clothes, comfy clothes are ideal. This way you will feel ready to seize the day! You will also refrain from any embarrassment when your boss unexpectedly video calls. Changing out of your clothes at the end of the day will also help keep your mind in check with the work/relaxation boundary and help in retaining a routine.

4) Take short breaks if you can

Try to take 10 minutes away from your work space every so often in order to give your mind and eyes a break from your computer or laptop. This will help you stay motivated and refrain from getting fed up. Grab a cup of tea and sit in the garden but don’t sit down for too long, you might never get back up!

5) Maintain your regular working hours if possible

If you work from 9-5 (cue Dolly Parton), 5 days a week, try and maintain this whilst working at home. It can be easy to slip away from work when you have lots to do and think you can just continue to work on into the small hours of the morning to get items ticked off your to-do list. Don’t do it! It will end up being an endless cycle and you will exhaust yourself.

6) Look after your mental health

If you are struggling with working from home, chat to your manager or colleagues. Everyone will be in the same boat and we are aware some people can adapt to changes like these better than others. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or tell someone you are struggling. Being at home 24/7 isn’t great for anyone’s mental health. Whilst the government guidelines are still in place, use the benefit of being able to leave the house once a day for exercise. Go for a walk or run but ensure you are practising social distancing measures if there are others out and about with the same idea.

LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST… STAY SAFE!

We hope that by following the government guidelines the COVID-19 pandemic can be quashed as soon as possible. We wish everyone good health and urge you to stay safe. Hopefully we can all get through this by working together (but essentially apart). Please adhere to all government guidelines to keep yourself and others safe.

Keep in touch with us (no, not literally touching) through our social media pages and send us some pictures of your workspace or tips of your own for working from home!

CORONAVIRUS: FACT OR FALSE?

Posted on by Jessica Lee

With the coronavirus pandemic headlining all over the world, fear and anxiety are prevalent. Many people are taking to social media to seek advice and also air advice given by others. However, it is important to note that not all advice on social media is statistically or scientifically correct. Have a look below as we distinguish what is fact and what is false- and remember, we are a company who specialise in insurance services, not medicine or virus control!

1) You can test for the virus by holding your breath –FALSE

It has been advertised that holding your breath successfully for over 10 seconds without feeling any pain, discomfort, coughing or breathing difficulty indicates you do not have the virus. There is no scientific evidence that this test can show if you have the new coronavirus or not. If you do suffer from asthma or breathing difficulties you should be taking medical advice from your doctor.

2) Drinking water every 15 minutes washes the virus into your stomach- FALSE

Some social media posts have claimed that drinking water every 15 minutes washes the virus into your stomach where the acid will destroy the virus. There is no evidence to suggest this is true. However, it is important to drink plenty of water to ensure you stay hydrated as with any flu or virus.

3) The heat in the summer will kill the virus – FALSE

Yes, you guessed it- false information again! It has been suggested that temperatures above 25 degrees can destroy the virus and so once the warmer summer weather begins to roll in the virus will soon dwindle. There is evidence that similar viruses spread less in the heat. However, there is no evidence to support this with the Coronavirus. In fact, countries with temperatures higher than 25 degrees do have reported cases of the Coronavirus showing that although there is a possibility that spreading of the virus can be reduced in the heat, the virus is not altogether heat-resistant or prevented by warm temperatures.

4) More people have died from other medical conditions than the Coronavirus – FACT

Yes, it has been recorded that the number of deaths from other illnesses, suicide or the common flu have been higher than those recorded from the coronavirus. However, it is important to highlight that it is the rapid increase in deaths and the potential detrimental effect that the uncontrolled spreading of the virus could have that is cause for concern. It has been advised that numbers of recorded deaths have been inflated and exaggerated in comparison to the deaths associated with Coronavirus. Many of those who have died from the Coronavirus have also had underlying medical issues making them more vulnerable. For accurate death figures you should refer to the World Health Organisation.

SOME GENERAL ADVICE:

If you are showing any symptoms please follow self-isolation instructions advised by local authorities. Be mindful of those who you may be in contact with that may be vulnerable or at high risk of contracting the virus. These include people who are 70 or above, pregnant, who suffer from a long term condition or who have a weakened immune system.

Stay at home if you have either:

  • a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
  • a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.

DO:

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • always wash your hands when you get home or into work
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
  • avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
  • only travel on public transport if you need to
  • work from home, if you can
  • avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
  • avoid events with large groups of people

DON’T:

  • touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
  • have visitors to your home, including friends and family

Please note that any medical queries should be directed to the relevant authorities. Information provided above supported and provided by Fact Check and NHS.

CORONAVIRUS: What you need to know about travelling whilst the coronavirus continues to spread.

Posted on by Jessica Lee

The Coronavirus is spreading rapidly with thousands of new cases being reported each day, the most recent being discovered in Italy. With this in mind, the Irish Travel Agent Association are advising holidaymakers and travellers to be vigilant on their travels and for those booking holidays to be mindful that the virus is spreading beyond China to many holiday destinations.

Travellers are being reminded that it is important to have appropriate comprehensive travel insurance in place to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation and to follow advice of local authorities, taking all preventative measures recommended. The Department of Foreign Affairs have advised to download the DFA Travelwise smartphone app that provides specific travel health advice for individual countries.

It is important to note that some standard travel policys may automatically exclude cover where a policyholder travels against the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the World Health Organisation. Cancellation and Curtailment sections may also exclude cover for claims arising directly or indirectly from travel arrangements affected by or contributed to, or by order of any government or public/local authority.

If you are currently travelling in any of the affected regions in Italy -Lombardy (Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano) or Veneto (Vo’ Euganeo) you are advised to follow all advise being given by the state authorities.

Policyholders who had purchased travel insurance and travelled before the FCO issued its advice on 25 February 2020 should be covered as normal while in the affected regions of Italy.

Any customers with cancellation or curtailment claims arising under valid policies incepted before 25 February 2020 with pre-booked travel and accommodation to one of the listed towns above, booked prior to 25 February 2020 will be considered under the normal terms and conditions. Policyholders will need to provide their original booking confirmation alongside evidence of cancellation costs and any refunds.

For customers who have booked to travel to one of the affected towns after 25 February 2020, these claims will be excluded as these were booked after the date the FCO advised against travel.

Policyholders who had booked their trip via a tour operator or travel agent or using a credit card should contact them to see if they can get a refund or have their trip re-arranged.

For all those travelling it is important to remember how fast the Coronavirus is now spreading and to take all precautions possible.

What to do to protect yourself:

  • Wash your hands – soap or hand gel can kill the virus
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing – ideally with a tissue – and wash your hands afterwards, to prevent the virus spreading
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth – if your hands touch a surface contaminated by the virus, this could transfer it into your body
  • Don’t get too close to people coughing, sneezing or with a fever – they can propel small droplets containing the virus into the air – ideally, keep at least 1m away

Anyone experiencing symptoms, even if mild, after travelling from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days, is advised to stay indoors and call the NHS 111 phone service.

If you have returned from the following specific areas since February 19, you should call NHS 111 and stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even if you do not have symptoms:

  • Iran
  • lockdown areas in northern Italy
  • special care zones in South Korea
  • Hubei province

If you have you have returned from the following areas since February 19 and develop symptoms – even mild ones – stay indoors, avoid contact with others and call NHS 111:

  • Northern Italy (above but not including Pisa, Florence and Rimini)
  • Vietnam
  • Cambodia
  • Laos
  • Myanmar

If you are unsure about the travelling regulations it is advised that you contact the World Health Organisiation, Foreign and Commonwealth Office or local state authorities for your destination as well as your travel provider and contact your travel insurer for all cover details.

Please note all advice is subject to travel destination, travel provider and travel insurance provider.

Sorry you missed it – sale has now ended – but our Breakdown cover is still excellent value at just £25.00 annually!

Posted on by Cortney Rowan

++ Offer has now ended++ January Breakdown Sale!!

We are a leading provider of cover to brokers and insurers throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland.

M.I.S Breakdown provides affordable annual breakdown cover for only £25 PER YEAR.

With M.I.S Breakdown, we are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with cover such as:

  • Roadside Assistance
  • Flat/Punctured Tyre
  • Fuel Shortages/Misfuelling
  • Accident Cover
  • Locked/Lost Keys
  • 24 Hour Emergency call line
  • Local Recovery
  • Home Start
  • 3 Assistances per Annum

++ Offer has ended ++ For the month of January, we are offering 50% OFF, so ONLY £12.50 for a whole year’s cover!

To purchase breakdown cover at just £25 simply follow this link – https://misclaims.com/breakdown-recovery/

MIS Group launches new Company in preparation for Brexit

Posted on by Cortney Rowan

MIS Group is delighted to announce the opening of MIS Underwriting Ltd which will commence trading from our new offices in Dundalk in the New Year! 

The new Company has been created as part of our preparations for Brexit which will allow us to continue servicing our brokers & policyholders in the Republic of Ireland and will improve our physical presence in the Irish Market.   

We have recently completed the registration process with the Central Bank of Ireland and have now been authorised by them to trade as a Retail Intermediary. 

To ensure a smooth continuation of service, all of our policyholders in the Republic of Ireland will be transferred to MIS Underwriting Ltd. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our brokers and policyholders for your continued support and look forward to our continued relationships in the future. 

MIS Group Includes:
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