In the year ahead, one in ten AXA customers will be involved in a road accident, need their windscreen repaired (or replaced) or find themselves with a vehicle that just won't move due to mechanical problems - including lack of petrol.

If you are the unlucky one in ten you will need help day or night. And fast. All the help you need is at the end of the phone with us on

There are real advantages to you in using this number first time, every time;

• Our highly trained staff (based in Dublin and Athlone) are there to help you day or night
• We'll have you back on the road fast (in no time at all if it's a breakdown or a broken windscreen and usually in less than 10 days if it's accident, theft or malicious damage )
• We will get you and your passengers safely home or on to your intended destination (whichever is nearer)
• You get a courtesy car for up to 7 days (whilst we repair yours) because we know life has to go on
• All repairs are to manufacturers standards and guaranteed for two years
• You pay a reduced excess (the amount you pay toward any claim for accidental or malicious damage to your vehicle)
• Claims for fire, theft, broken windscreens or the use of our breakdown assistance don't affect your hard earned no claims discount
• We even give your vehicle a wash and vacuum so it comes back to you in perfect condition
• There is little or no paperwork
• Eighty nine per cent of customers who had a claim would recommend us to family and friends for our speedy, helpful service. Look inside this newsletter for their comments, they say everything!

Do yourself a favour. Don't wait until something happens to you to search for the only phone number you need to ring. Inside, we're giving you a handy window sticker, together with details of a great competition that could see you winning a new car or a cash prize. Put it in your window today (we also suggest you put the number into your mobile phone). And, remember, whatever happens...

If you are in accident, the most important thing is that you and anyone else involved are safe and hopefully, uninjured. It's worth remembering that in such a stressful situation, people can forget the exact circumstances of the incident. We recommend you take some photos on your mobile phone. These could be useful in helping you explain what happened. They can be also be of use if you think the other driver is at fault or if you suspect fraudulent activity.

Picture this. You picked up your hire car at the airport. The person at the desk tells you that even though you bought cover for damage to your hire car (called Collision Damage Waiver or CDW cover in car rental language), you'll still have to pay an amount called an excess if the car is damaged, whether your fault or not. The excess will be something between €750 and €1500, but they tell you that you can avoid having to pay that if you pay them somewhere between €7 and €10 for each day you're hiring the car. You weigh it up - risk having to pay the excess if the car is even slightly damaged, or go risk-free by paying at least €100 extra for your two week rental.

Help is at hand. We offer up to €5,000 cover if you have to pay the rental company a car hire excess. You can buy this peace of mind for a whole year for as little as €56.08, depending on your age and where you are going to visit, so you could save money even on the first trip.

To buy your AXA car hire excess policy just log onto www.axacarhireexcess.ie and follow the simple steps. It only takes minutes to arrange and you can print your own cover details on the spot.

If you prefer, call us at (01) 8583568 and we'll get you on your way.

The wonderfully named Matchless motor cycle is a legend to those familiar with the early days of motorcycles. One of these iconic machines is now enjoying an active retirement thanks to AXA.

Built in 1923, an Irish registered Matchless Model J has had a colourful career. Used for business and pleasure, it also featured in the war film "Darling Lily" (shot in County Wicklow in 1968). In 1959, it was bought for L5 by Maurice Bryan (a well known name in classic car and motorcycle circles). Maurice has undertaken three separate restoration projects, the last one commencing in 1989 and involving more than 950 hours of work.

Today, it looks as good as the day it was built. And thanks to AXA it will remain in Ireland and continue to be seen at Classic Car shows the length and breadth of the country.

Main pic caption- Maurice Bryan in period clothing with the Matchless at last years Irish Vintage and Veteran Car Show (sponsored by AXA)

The Matchless down the years (including it's role in "Darling Lily").

		If you are in third level education (and aged under 26) then we have the policy for you. Our "Studentfirst" product gives you; - quality car insurance with no loss of no claims discount following windscreen claims - 24 hour claims assistance - interest free monthly instalments. But we really get top marks for the way we calculate your premium. For starters we give you a discount in recognition that you are working toward your qualification. Then (and this is the really clever bit), instead of increasing your no claims discount once a year, we increase it every three months. So your monthly premiums will fall during the year (and not just at each renewal) provided, of course, there are no claims on your policy (other than windscreen). We reckon that all this number crunching will see a saving of more than 40% compared to our standard product. To find out more, ring us at 1890 28 28 20 or call into your nearest AXA branch.

We all think we're great drivers. But the fact is, we can never know enough, especially when it comes to dealing with modern day issues such as motorway driving.

For this reason, AXA has developed an online driving skills awareness initiative.

This is an interactive programme. We invite people to look at one of six scenarios;

	Speeding
	Distractions
	General Awareness
	Motorway Driving
	Aggressive Driving
	Fatigue

We ask you questions based on Road Safety Authority best practice. If you don't get the right answer first time, feel free to keep trying until you do! As well as improving your driving knowledge, we will enter you into a free draw for a year's free cover (up to €500).

And as an incentive for young drivers starting their journey as motorists, when they get the answers to all questions right, they can print off a certificate that can be used to get a discount from AXA.

If you would like to know more, put yourself in the driving seat and log onto www.axa.ie.

We are delighted to tell you we are now offering quality insurance for shops (and a host of other retailers or franchises), offices and surgeries. Our standard policy gives you comprehensive cover for buildings, stock and other contents, maintains your income if you suffer property damage and protects you against injury or damage claims brought by employees or members of the public. And you can choose from a number of optional extras including increased goods in transit cover. You can pay over 5 or 9 months to help with cash flow and we reward careful retailers with discounts including a unique no claims discount (akin to your car insurance). To find out how much you could save give us a ring on 1890 273 372 or drop into your nearest AXA branch.

Apply on-line or by phone for your AXA Credit Card today and you will automatically receive 4,000 free points when you make your first credit card purchase. This means that you will save €40 off your next AXA Car or Home renewal premium. And there's more - every time you use your AXA Credit Card you will earn points. You get one point for every €2 spent through your card. Each point is worth another one cent off your AXA renewal premium.

Apply for the AXA Credit Card today online at www.axaplus.ie or call 1800 60 62 62 quoting 32A7JHUK.

Remember the sooner you apply, the sooner you can start collecting your AXA points and enjoy all the benefits your AXA Credit Card brings.

Terms and conditions apply. The interest rates on the AXA Gold Credit card are 1.9% APR on balance transfers for 10 months from account opening date and 14.9% (variable) thereafter and on card purchases. The AXA Gold Credit Card is issued by MBNA Europe Bank Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority, and is registered as a branch in Ireland under number 903873 at Dublin Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Incorporated in England and Wales under number 2783251. Registered Office: Stansfield House, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QQ. Credit is available subject to status, to Irish residents aged 18 years or over. Balances cannot be transferred from another MBNA account. We will monitor and/or record some telephone calls. There is a stamp duty charged by the Government on all Irish credit card accounts.

If you are thinking of buying a used car in 2009 why not call into your nearest Windsor Motor branch where AXA customers qualify for a special offer. Buy any used car from Windsor Motors and you have the choice of a €300 Topaz Fuel Voucher or €300 off your next AXA Insurance motor renewal, the choice is yours.

We know it can be difficult to get the driving experience you need to pass your driving test. You may know people with full licences who are happy to accompany you on the road. But if they need to drive your car (perhaps to demonstrate a driving technique or show you how to reverse park) how can you be sure they are insured to drive your car?

The answer for AXA customers is simple and in place from the time you get this newsletter.

We are giving our customers with a provisional licence FREE open driving. This means that other people are covered to drive your car (for the same cover you have on your policy) provided they;

	have your permission to drive
	are aged 25-70 and
	hold a full, clean driving licence.

When you get your full licence (after all, you will have plenty of driving practice), you must tell us so we can reduce your premium. If you want to maintain open driving an additional charge will be payable.

Please note we will not be issuing revised motor insurance certificates until you next renew your policy or make an alteration. In the meantime, provisional licence customers should contact their local AXA branch if they require a new certificate of insurance showing this additional cover.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 1890 28 28 22 or drop into your nearest AXA branch.

...to Mr Charles Roarty from Donegal who won our €5,000 holiday competition. The correct answers were; Q1. Which travel operator is offering a €5,000 all inclusive ski or sun holiday? A1. Club Med Q2. What make of van did AXA help to restore to it's former glory? A2. Volkswagen Q3. What is the web address for our new, low cost car hire excess insurance product? A3. www.carhireexcess.ie		Our 52nd branch in Ireland (42 in ROI, 10 in NI) recently opened it's doors on Kennedy Avenue. Branch Manager Eugene Lynch and Laura Norton are happy to discuss your insurance needs in person or by phone at (059) 9137740.

We welcome any views you may have on this Newsletter. Please write to the Marketing Department, AXA Insurance, Wolfe Tone House, Wolfe Tone Street, Dublin 1 or e-mail us at newsletter@axa.ie. AXA&You is the Customer Newsletter of AXA Insurance Limited, Registered Office Wolfe Tone House, Wolfe Tone Street, Dublin 1. Registered number 136155. Terms and conditions apply to all products and features offered within AXA&You. The views expressed are not necessarily those of AXA Insurance. For your own security and to help us improve customer satisfaction, we may record or monitor telephone calls. AXA Insurance Limited is regulated by the Financial Regulator.