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RSA Insurance exits UK private motor market

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By John Healy of Healy Insurances

RSA Insurance has announced it will exit the UK personal lines car insurance market over the next year, with a sale arranged to rival insurer, Swinton.

RSA Insurance was formed through the merger of Sun Alliance and Royal Insurance in 1996 and was acquired by Canadian multinational, Intact Financial Corporation in November 2021. RSA said the motor market in the UK remained competitive yet “requires significant scale to drive meaningful outperformance”.

The RSA motor business in the UK represents about £120 million of annual premium but the 'Insurance Times' reported that the RSA’s private motor segment was operating at a loss, meaning the lost premium does not represent an operating loss to the business.

“When we completed the acquisition of RSA, we were clear that we would take necessary actions to drive sustainable outperformance in UK and Ireland," Charles Brindamour, CEO of the Intact Financial Corp, said. "[The] announcement represents a further step in delivering against our strategic roadmap to optimise our footprint around Personal Lines, Home and Pet, and our Commercial and Speciality lines businesses.”

Car premiums in the UK have increased by 21.1% from February 2021 to February 2022. Market sources concluded that inflation and supply chain disruption are pushing up the costs insurers face in fixing and replacing vehicles. The average annual car insurance premium in the UK is £929 which rises considerably in London to £1,419.

At the time of writing, it has just been announced that RSA are also exiting commercial mini fleet insurance in the UK from June 1, 2023.

RSA have not made any comment on their Irish operations. In the Republic of Ireland, RSA Insurance offer car insurance products via Insurance Brokers and Bank of Ireland. RSA also own 123.ie.

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Film Festival launches new monthly film club

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The Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) has announced the launch of the KIFF Film Club, a new initiative bringing modern Irish cinema and documentaries to the big screen at Cinema Killarney.

Supported by Screen Ireland through the Audience Development Fund, the club aims to foster local audience engagement with high-quality domestic filmmaking.

The series will debut on Wednesday, March 25, at 8pm with a screening of Christy. The film arrives in Killarney following significant critical success, having recently secured IFTA awards for both Best Film and Best Director.

Set on the northside of Cork city, the drama follows the titular character as he moves in with his estranged brother and begins to find his place within the local community.

The club’s second instalment is scheduled for April 22 at 8pm, featuring the documentary Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man.

This production offers a perspective on the conflict in Northern Ireland through previously unseen footage and photographs, alongside exclusive interviews.


Tickets for the screenings are priced at €8 per person, plus a booking fee. As part of the club experience, attendees will be offered a complimentary cup of tea or coffee before each film begins.

Tickets for the March and April screenings are currently available for purchase through the official festival website at kerryfilmfestival.com.

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Scorchers Florida bound for All-Star Worlds final

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Excitement is building in Killarney as the Scorchers Cheerleading Team, Code Black, have received a major boost ahead of next month’s All Star World Championships in Orlando.

Securing a prestigious bid, after taking home first place at their most recent competition, which allows them to bypass the preliminary ‘Battle Round’ and advance directly to the semi-finals of the All Star World Championships.

“Receiving a bid like this is recognition of the hard work, discipline and teamwork the squad has shown all season. said Katlyn Moynihan “It puts them in a strong position heading into the championships.”

The All Star World Championships brings together the very best teams from all over the world to compete and celebrate cheer. The judging panel, in Orlando, is made up of the most respected and experienced figures in global cheerleading, and whose expertise shape the sport at the highest level.

With the competition just weeks away, the athletes remain focused on refining their routine and strengthening their performance before proudly representing their club and Kerry in Florida next month. Now, they’re hoping the county will rally behind them, sharing their story, cheering them on, and celebrating these remarkable young athletes carrying the Kerry name with pride.

The team will also host a Fundraising Quiz Night on Friday, March 27 at the Killarney Avenue Hotel.


Teams of four can enter for €40; come along, enjoy the night and help this talented team turn their world championship dream into reality.

The team are continuing their fundraising drive ahead of the All Star World Championships in Orlando, with donations – big or small – welcomed through their iDonate page https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/scorcherscheerleading.

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