Is premium petrol worth the extra cost?

Posted on 3rd August 20238th August 2023 by Alexandra Lower

By Ruby Marting

We’ve all wondered whether it’s worth paying extra for premium petrol or ‘super unleaded’ over regular petrol or unleaded. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between these fuels and help you decide if premium petrol is right for your vehicle.

What makes premium petrol or super unleaded different?

When you look at the difference between premium petrol and regular petrol, there are a lot of terms that need to be explained. This is because it is a complex product! But never fear, we’re going to explain it for you.

What is in premium or super unleaded petrol?

Premium petrol, also known as E5 or ‘High Octane’ in the UK is made up of 95% unleaded petrol plus 5% ethanol.

Ethanol is a type of alcohol, not safe for humans to drink. It increases the oxygen content of petrol, which reduces emissions, and is made from renewable sources like plants.

Ethanol in petrol enhances the fuel’s octane rating. An octane rating is a numerical value that indicates the quality or performance of a fuel.

A higher octane rating means better resistance to ‘knocking’ or ‘pre-ignition’.

What is ‘Knocking’ and ‘Pre-ignition’

“Knocking” and “pre-ignition” are two problems that can happen in a car’s engine.

Knocking: Is when the fuel in the engine ignites too early, causing a knocking noise and potential engine damage.

Pre-ignition: is when the fuel ignites on its own before the spark plug fires, which can also lead to engine damage.

Higher octane fuels are better at preventing knocking and pre-ignition.

What is the octane rating of both premium and normal petrol?

Regular unleaded petrol usually has an octane rating of 95 RON (Research Octane Number), while premium unleaded petrol (super unleaded) typically has an octane rating of 97 RON or higher.

Some petrol stations may offer higher octane ratings, such as 98 RON or 99 RON, for their premium petrol options.

Does premium petrol enhance performance and fuel efficiency?

It’s believed premium petrol boosts performance and fuel efficiency for all cars. This is not true.

Modern vehicles with advanced engine systems are optimized for regular petrol. Using premium petrol won’t provide noticeable improvements in these cars.

However, vehicles with high-performance engines, such as sports cars or luxury models, are often designed to take advantage of higher-octane fuels to achieve better power output and efficiency.

Is my car compatible with E5 and E10?

Premium petrol is only for cars equipped with petrol engines featuring high compression ratios. Such high-performance vehicles may be damaged or not perform as well when using regular 95 octane fuel due to unsuitability.

To determine whether your car requires premium fuel, check inside the fuel filler cap for a sticker providing the following details:

The type of fuel your engine needs.
The minimum required octane level.

If you don’t find a sticker there, refer to your vehicle handbook for more information or contact your vehicle manufacturer for clarification.[1]

Car manufactured since 2011 should be compatible. However, some cars may not be compatible and therefore may require you to pay extra for E5 fuel. This includes older classic cars, some Mopeds, particularly those with an engine size of 50cc or under and High-performance or luxury vehicles[2].

You can check your vehicles compatibility with E10 petrol here.

Should I use Premium petrol (E5) instead of standard (E10)?

Ultimately, using premium petrol depends on your car’s make, manufacturer recommendations, and driving habits. For most modern cars, regular petrol is enough for optimal performance. Yet, high-performance or luxury vehicles may need premium petrol as specified. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and consider your driving habits before making a decision. Regular maintenance remains vital regardless of the fuel you choose.

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[1] What’s the Difference Between Premium & Standard Fuel? – Tyre Pros | Tyre Pros

[2] E10 petrol explained – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Seasonal Foraging you can do in the UK!

Posted on 5th July 20237th July 2023 by Alexandra Lower

One of the most delightful activities for nature enthusiasts is foraging. Foraging means searching for and collecting food from the wild.

Foraging used to be how people got food before farming, and some still do it today for cultural or personal reasons. Whether you’re a seasoned forager or a curious beginner, this blog will guide you through the seasons, highlighting the delightful finds waiting to be discovered in the UK’s wild spaces.

Firstly it’s important to know which things are safe to eat and how to forage responsibly.

Foraging Etiquette and Safety:

When embarking on a foraging adventure, it is essential to adhere to responsible foraging practices. Here are a few key guidelines to follow:

Safety first: Be cautious when identifying plants and mushrooms; misidentification can have severe consequences. Always cross-reference multiple reliable sources and consider seeking expert advice.
Seek permission: Always obtain permission from landowners before foraging on private land.
Respect nature: Harvest only what you need, leaving enough for wildlife and future foragers.
Preserve habitats: Avoid damaging plants or their surroundings while harvesting.
Learn from experts: Join local foraging groups, workshops, or consult experienced foragers to enhance your knowledge and safety.

What Can I Forage in Spring?

Spring is defined in the UK as starting at the end of March to the end of June. As winter fades away, the woodlands and meadows come alive with an array of delightful edible treats. Don’t forget to wear gloves while harvesting, and wash everything well when you get home before eating.

Wild Garlic

Spring is the perfect time to keep an eye out for vibrant wild garlic, which will be easy to find because it smells just like the garlic you’ll have in your kitchen. It has wide long leaves and white flowers. It grows on the shady floor of ancient woodlands or hedgerows as it doesn’t need too much sun. It can be found throughout the UK, but it’s most common in the south.

What Can You Make with Wild Garlic?

Its leaves are perfect for salads or blending up into a pesto – lending a delicious light garlicky flavour to your dishes. You can also blanch the leaves in place of spinach. The flowers are also edible, and they’ll look super pretty balanced on any soup or salad. There are some fantastic recipes to make with this easy-to-find native plant.

Nettles

Alongside wild garlic, you may stumble upon the first young nettles, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. If their sting puts you off, don’t worry, it goes away when they are boiled for 2-3 minutes. Just wear some gardening gloves and bring scissors with you to safely pick them. It’s only the top four to six leaves that you want which will be succulent and green.

What Can You Make with Nettles?

If you boil nettles, you can use them in place of lots of popular greens like Spinach or Kale.

Commonly known as ‘Stinging Nettles’, they are full of iron, calcium, and magnesium which makes them incredibly nutritious. They are famously paired with lemon flavours, fennel seeds, and goat’s cheese. Use them to make a risotto, a delicious soup, or a soothing tea.

What can I Forage in Summer?

Summer is the perfect time for foraging, with hedgerows and coastal areas offering an impressive variety of edible resources. In the UK summer is officially late June to late September.

Elderflowers and Elderberries

Keep an eye out for elderflower trees in the UK! They bloom with beautiful white tiny flowers. In August, they also produce dark elderberries. The Elder is a common shrub or tree found all over the country, in woods and hedgerows – pretty much everywhere!

What can I make with Elderflowers and Elderberries?

Their pretty flowers can be used to make refreshing cordials, gins, champagne and taste delicious infused into desserts. You can even fry them to make fritters like you would with a courgette flower. Elderberries can be cooked for jams, fruit pies, and even elderberry wine.

Wild Berries

Blackberries are the easiest foraged fruits to find. They grow almost anywhere, from hedgerows, to woodlands, and even at the roadside. Just watch out for the brambles!

Wild raspberries can also be found in similar places. People often mistake them for unripe blackberries, but they are softer and have a leaf shape.

Wild strawberries are another summer gem. They can be found in woodlands, meadows, hedgerows, and even in gardens. They are smaller than the supermarket versions, but just as delicious.

What Can I Make with Wild Berries?

Wild strawberries and raspberries are perfect for snacking. Remember to always wash them before eating.

You may remember picking blackberries as a child, so you’ll know they are ideal for jams, pies, or crumbles. Here are some jam recipes good for any of these berries.

What can I Forage in Autumn?

The woodlands and countryside turn into a treasure trove of foods to forage during the autumn months. Autumn in the UK is usually from September to November.

Mushrooms

Foragers eagerly anticipate the arrival of mushrooms, such as the prized cep (porcini), chanterelles, or field mushrooms. However, it’s important to remember to be extremely cautious and consider expert guidance when mushroom foraging. There are risks associated with misidentification, which can be fatal. Consider booking a mushroom foraging course to make sure you’re safe.

What can I Make with Wild Mushrooms?

Soups, sauces, and risottos are all great options. Basically, anything you would do with shop-bought mushrooms. Here are some fantastic recipes for wild mushrooms you’ve foraged.

Nuts

Autumn is the season for foraging sweet chestnuts walnuts and hazelnuts. Try not to take them all though as they are valuable food for wildlife going into winter. You won’t have to look far for Hazel trees as they grow commonly throughout the UK.

What Can I Make with Nuts?

You can use foraged walnuts hazelnuts and sweet chestnuts in all kinds of sweet and savoury dishes to add a delicious, nutty flavour to cakes, breads and pestos. We especially like this apple, pear and walnut crumble.

What can I Forage in Winter?

While winter may seem like a quiet time for foraging, there are still delicious finds to be discovered. Winter in the UK is from December to February.

Rosehips

Seek out rosehips, the bright red or orange fruit of wild roses. All roses produce hips, and all of them are edible. These little powerhouses are packed with vitamin C and can be found in fields, roadsides, and other open places.

What can I make with Rosehips?

They can be used to make cordials, syrups, jellies, or added to herbal teas. You may have to remove the seeds and hairs that are inside before consuming them as they can irritate your mouth. Note some recipes you’ll need to leave the seeds and hairs while cooking and then strain them out afterwards, so check your chosen recipe!

Foraging is a remarkable way to connect with nature, engage with the seasons, and discover the treasures found in the UK’s wilderness. So, grab your baskets and venture out to explore the bountiful offerings of the great British outdoors!

Sources:

Wild garlic (Allium ursinum) – Woodland Trust

How to forage for nettles and how to use them in recipes – delicious. magazine (deliciousmagazine.co.uk)

https://homesteadandchill.com/rose-hips-harvest-dry-use

What is Hay Fever?

Posted on 28th June 20237th July 2023 by Alexandra Lower

With pollen levels on the rise, NHS searches for Hay Fever have almost tripled in the last month[1]. For those suffering from hay fever, looking for ways to relieve your symptoms can be frustrating. So, we thought we’d lend a helping hand. Firstly, let’s take a look at what causes hay fever symptoms.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, usually when it gets in your mouth, nose, eyes, and throat. Pollen is a fine powder produced by plants, trees, and grass[2].

Hay fever happens when your immune system over responds to allergens in the environment. Allergens are usually harmless for people without hay fever. However, if you have hay fever, your immune system sees these allergens as threats and starts to attack them.

According to the Met Office, in the UK hay fever affects 25% of adults and 10% of children[3].

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

The typical symptoms of hay fever include:

sneezing and coughing
a runny or blocked nose
itchy, red, or watery eyes
itchy throat, mouth, nose, and ears

Hay fever in the UK is usually worst between late March and September and can have a huge impact on sufferers’ everyday life.

Why do some people get hay fever and others don’t?

The exact reasons why some people have hay fever while others don’t aren’t fully understood. However, several factors can contribute to the development of hay fever:

Genetics: Allergies, including hay fever, tend to run in families. If your parents or siblings have hay fever or other allergies, you might have an increased risk of developing it.
Environmental exposure: Exposure to allergens at a young age might increase the likelihood of developing hay fever later in life. For example, living in urban areas or environments with high pollen counts can contribute to you developing hay fever.
Immune system problems: People with hay fever often have an immune system that is overly sensitive. The immune system’s response is exaggerated, triggering an allergic reaction when exposed to substances that are harmless to most people.

It’s important to note that hay fever is a chronic condition, and while it cannot be cured, its symptoms can often be managed with various treatments.

How can I help my hay fever?

Monitor pollen levels and limit your outdoor activities on high pollen days. You can check what the pollen count is on the Met Office website.
Keep your windows closed and use air conditioning with filters if you can.
Hoover and dust your house regularly.
Shower and change your clothes after being outdoors to avoid bringing more pollen into your house.
Avoid freshly cut grass.
Consider wearing a pollen mask. These can be anything from a simple fabric pandemic-style mask or something far more fancy with filters. Find out more about them here.
Use saline nasal rinses or neti pots for nasal irrigation. These are devices that wash out your nose and get rid of the pollen irritating it.
Stock up on over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, or eye drops. Ask your pharmacist for the best products for you.
Go to your GP to see if there is anything they can do for you. Allergy vaccines (immunotherapy) may be an option if your symptoms are severe.

Note: Individual responses to allergies may vary, so it’s important to find what works best for you and seek professional guidance if needed.[5]

[1] NHS England » Weekly visits to NHS website’s hay fever advice reach 122,000 as pollen levels rise

[2] Hay fever – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

[3] Surviving hay fever: A guide for sufferers – Met Office

[4] Hay fever: why some people suffer from it and others don’t (yahoo.com)

[5] Hay fever – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Your Ultimate Guide to Sleeping in Hot Weather

Posted on 12th June 2023 by Alexandra Lower

As the heat starts to rise in summer months, you might find yourself tossing and turning on a clammy night. High temperatures and humidity levels often make it challenging to find comfort and drift off into a peaceful slumber.

Why is it harder to sleep when it’s hot?

It all comes down to your body chemistry. When it gets dark, you produce a hormone called melanin that helps you feel relaxed and tired. At the same time, your core temperature decreases.

However, when it’s hotter than usual, the higher temperature disrupts your body’s natural cooling process before sleep. This can make it harder to fall asleep and cause you to wake up more often.

But don’t worry, you can make some changes to your routine and sleeping environment to improve the quality of your rest.

1. Keep Your Bedroom Cool

The first step in creating a comfortable sleeping environment is to keep your bedroom cool. You can do this by:

Closing your curtains and blinds during the day to block out the direct sunlight and keep the room cooler.
Open windows to let any cool breeze in – only do this if you are in your house for security reasons.
Investing in a good quality air conditioner or a portable fan.

2. Choose Breathable Bedding

Your choice of bedding can significantly impact your sleep quality in hot weather. Opt for light breathable fabrics. Here are a few recommendations:

Swap your duvet for a summer version.
If a duvet is still too hot, use cotton or linen sheets.
Avoid synthetic materials, such as polyester or satin, as they trap heat and moisture.

3. Take a Refreshing Shower or a cool bath

A quick, refreshing shower or bath before bed can help lower your body temperature and make you feel more comfortable. Use lukewarm water instead of cold water, as extremely cold showers can cause your body to overcompensate and make you feel hotter afterward.

4. Use these cooling Hacks

There are several effective cooling techniques you can use to lower your body temperature and create a more comfortable sleep environment:

Place a bowl of ice or a cold damp cloth in front of a fan to create a makeshift air conditioner.
Use a cooling pillow or invest in a gel-infused memory foam pillow.
Consider using a cooling mattress topper or bamboo mattress, which are designed to dissipate heat and promote airflow.
Choose lightweight and loose-fitting sleepwear made of breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. Avoid heavy or synthetic materials that can trap heat and restrict airflow.

With these simple tips, hopefully you can beat the heat and enjoy a restful night’s sleep even during the hottest summer nights. By making a few adjustments to your routine, you’ll wake up refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the summer!

Top 5 Most Common Car Insurance claims

Posted on 9th June 20233rd April 2025 by Talicza Stevens

Making a claim to an insurance provider can be stressful. Especially if it was your fault or could involve losing your ‘no claims’ bonus.

Insurance providers deal with claims every single day. According to a Statista study, UK insurance companies paid approximately 11.8 billion pounds in motor claims in 2020.[1]

We’ve listed the Top 5 Most Common Car Insurance Claims made so you can try your best to avoid becoming a statistic…

1. Windscreen Damage

Windscreens are prone to damage very easily. Windscreen damage, from small chips to large cracks, is one of the most common car insurance claims.

It’s tempting to leave a small chip, but this can spread quickly if you drive over a bump, hit a pothole, or experience a fast change in temperature. This can then obstruct your view of the road, which can be very dangerous. Get your windscreen fixed as soon as possible to prevent it from getting worse. Here’s just a few reasons:

Fixing a chip is cheaper than repairing a large crack or replacing the entire windscreen.
Having a damaged windscreen can make you fail your MOT.
If the police stop you for having a damaged windscreen, you could receive a fixed penalty of 3 points on your licence and a fine.

Not all insurance policies cover windscreen damage, so check your policy documents if you aren’t sure.

If you’re a Vavista customer, you can find out more about making a windscreen damage claim here.

2. Theft

A theft claim doesn’t always mean your entire car was stolen. It could be that someone has smashed the window and taken your new upgraded stereo system or even spare change.

A lot of newer vehicles now have keyless ignition or entry, we strongly recommend you investigate steps you can take to protect your vehicle.

Inform the police and get a crime reference number to report whatever has been stolen to your insurer.

The Citizens Advice Bureau suggests you might be able to claim on either your home contents insurance or vehicle insurance if only your possessions were stolen from your vehicle. This depends on whether the stolen items are covered by your home insurance and where your car was when it was broken into. Check your policy documents to confirm.

If you are looking for home insurance, head to Vavista Home Insurance page for a quote.

You can try and make theft harder by parking your car in your garage, or by fitting your car with an immobiliser if you don’t have one. Be sure to let your insurer know if you make any changes like this, so your insurance remains valid. Looking after your car keys can also help to prevent someone stealing your car too, if you lose your keys or think they have been stolen check your policy documents to see if you have key cover.

3. Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injury claims when it comes to road traffic collisions (RTCs). This neck injury occurs when muscles in the neck overextend, often due to the impact of a crash throwing your head forward.

In the UK, more than 1500 whiplash claims are made daily. However, detecting whiplash can be very difficult, making it a prime target for fraudsters.[2].

To prevent false whiplash claims, the government introduced the Whiplash Reform Programme in 2021. This programme limits the amount you can be rewarded for whiplash and requires medical evidence to prove your claim is genuine.

If you think you may have whiplash as the result of an accident you can claim whether you are the driver or any of the passengers.

4. Damage to parked vehicle

If you come back to your car and there is clear damage that wasn’t there when you left it, it can be hard to know what to do. This could be because of:

1. - A car door hitting yours when being opened.
  - Someone hitting your car when reversing into a bay.
  - Or a full hit and run when your car is parked on the street.

Whatever happened, take photos and ask if anywhere around has CCTV or some ring doorbell footage you could use. You can fit your car with a dashcam, which may help you to find a driver if they do cause any damage to your car and leave the scene.

5. Rear-end crash

Rear-end crashes happen frequently, especially when a distracted driver fails to see you stop. Occasionally, these are incidents of “crash for cash”. This is where drivers deliberately cause accidents to achieve an insurance pay out. This can involve a car in front of you slamming on their brakes for no reason to cause the driver behind to go into the back of them. If you think this could be the case, it’s important that you tell us about the accident as soon as possible.

If you’re concerned about ending up in one of these situations, get a dashcam. It acts as a visible deterrent to criminals targeting you and provides footage of the incident to support your insurance claim. [3].

You should also never use your phone while driving. Not only is it illegal, but it also puts you at a huge risk of ramming into the back of another vehicle.

Though you can’t always avoid these situations, it’s important to protect yourself as best as you can. Adequate car insurance coverage gives you peace of mind, knowing you’re protected.

Why not read of one What to do if you have an accident blog?

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[1] Total motor claims paid UK | Statista

[2] Making A Whiplash Insurance Claim | MoneySuperMarket

[3] Insurance Fraud Bureau | A ‘Crash for Cash’ every four minutes – Drivers urged to report widespread car crash scams on Crimewatch Live feature

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

7 ways you can reduce your food waste

Posted on 9th June 202313th March 2025 by Talicza Stevens

In today’s world, where sustainability is becoming increasingly important, finding ways to reduce your food waste is crucial. Not only does minimising food waste help the environment, but it also saves money and resources. In this blog, we’ll explore seven practical and effective strategies to reduce your food waste, ensuring that you make the most out of every meal and contribute to a greener planet.

According to the Love Food Hate Waste website, in the UK we throw away around 6.5 million tonnes of food each year that is still good to eat!

Why is food waste bad?

It’s not only bad for our wallets – costing us over £3.5 billion a year, it’s bad for the planet too. According to UK food charity WRAP, 35% of greenhouse gas emissions come from our food and drink waste[1]. Then of course there’s the fact that people around the world are living in poverty, without enough food, when we sometimes simply throw ours away.

Most food waste happens in our homes – so how can we make a difference?

Here are 7 ways you can reduce your food waste.

Know your labels!

What’s the difference between ‘Use by’ and ‘Best before’? You may or may not know, ‘Use by’ and ‘Best before’ don’t mean the same thing.

Products labelled ‘Use by’ may be unsafe to eat after date on the label.
‘Best before’ foods can usually still be eaten after the date specified if they look and smell ok. Don’t eat anything mouldy, and use this trick to see if eggs are still good.
Put suitable foods straight into the freezer if you are unsure how soon you may be eating them. A great example of this is bread you know you won’t get through. Simply pop it in the toaster to defrost and it’ll be just like fresh toast.

Plan your meals ahead

We now it’s easier said than done, but meal-planning and checking your store cupboards before shopping can save money and reduce waste significantly. There are some great websites where you can enter the ingredients you have around the house, and they provide recipes for you.

Watch your portions

Avoiding large servings will mean less food ends up in the bin. Many of us are conditioned as children to ‘clear our plates’ so we end up eating even though we are full. Or throwing the food away and feeling guilty.

Serve yourself just what you think you will eat and freeze the leftovers to avoid throwing away perfectly good food. Which brings us to…

Batch cook

It’s often cheaper to buy in bulk, so it makes sense to cook up more than you need and freeze meals for another day. This saves time, energy and money too! When you are tempted to grab fast food, you can simply search your freezer for a nutritious meal.

Be inventive

Wilted veg doesn’t need to be thrown in the bin – they can be used in a soup or stew instead. Over-ripe bananas can be frozen and added to smoothies or whizzed up with some cashew nuts to make a great, dairy-free ice-cream. Soggy berries can be added to overnight oats for a breakfast-to-go. Stale bread can be used for breadcrumbs or toasted up as croutons.

The possibilities are endless!

Shop locally

Make the most of small local shops or farm shops/markets to buy portions that are appropriate for your needs. Supermarkets tend to package fruit and veg in large bags and that can really add to food waste. Bonus – you’ll also save plastic packaging and support small vendors too.

Store fresh food properly

Make sure your fridge temperature is between 0-5 degrees Celsius to avoid the growth of bacteria that can spoil your food as well as make you ill. You can also:

Avoid putting bananas and uncut pineapples in the fridge or near other fruit, as the chemicals they emit as they ripen causes other fruits and veg to ripen more quickly.
Stand cut herbs in a glass of water and keep them in the fridge.

If you enjoyed reading this, check out our blog – Composting Made Easy | Vavista Car Insurance

Looking for more ways to be more sustainable? Here at Vavista we’re not just about insurance. We want to care for you and your planet too! That’s why we plant a tree for every policy we sell to help offset your carbon footprint.

[1] Food and Drink Greenhouse Gas emissions must be a key priority for COP26, says leading UK environmental charity | WRAP

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Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

What does Fair Trade mean?

Posted on 15th May 202318th May 2023 by Alexandra Lower

The 13^th May 2023 was ‘World Fair Trade Day’, a global celebration of Fair Trade. You may have seen the fairtrade logo around supermarkets or heard people talking about it. But do you know what it really means?

One thing to understand about fairtrade is that how it’s written has a major impact on its definition. Firstly, the Fairtrade logo, and ‘fair trade’ as a concept are two separate things.

The Fairtrade logo

This logo is used on products in the UK that have been certified by the global group of Fairtrade International and their associates. The logo is displayed on products which:

Have been grown using sustainable methods by farmers in developing countries[1].
Must guarantee a minimum fair price is paid to the farmers and comply with internationally agreed standards[2].

These standards are designed to support the sustainable development of smaller producer organisations and agricultural workers in developing countries. These standards follow a set of social, economic, and environmental criteria[3].

Fair Trade

Whereas the term ‘Fair Trade’ describes companies following the ‘10 principles of Fair Trade’s set out by The World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). These companies are regularly audited by third parties to make sure they are practicing the ‘10 principles of fair trade’ in their supply chain.

What are the 10 Principles of Fair Trade?

1. Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers

Supporting marginalised, small produces to move towards a secure income, self-sufficiency and ownership.

2. Transparency and accountability

Involving the producers in decision making.

3. Fair trading practices

Trading with concern for the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of marginalised small producers. Making sure not to just maximise profits at their expense.

4. Payment for fair price

A fair price is agreed by all involved.

5. Ensuring no child labour or forced labour

Following the UN’s convention of children’s rights, as well as following local laws on employment of children.

6. Commitment to non-discrimination, gender equality, Women’s economic empowerment and freedom of association

Respecting the trade unions rights and rejecting discrimination based on gender, religion, or ethnicity.

7. Ensuring good working conditions

Providing safe and healthy working conditions for all, ensuring working hours and conditions comply with international labour conventions.

8. Providing capacity building

Developing the skills and capabilities of its employees or members so they can continue to grow.

9. Promoting Fair Trade

Raise awareness for the aims of Fair Trade and the need for greater justice in world trading.

10. Respect for the Environment

Caring for the environment by maximising use of sustainable energy and raw materials while minimising waste and pollution. [4]

What sorts of products can you buy that are fairtrade?

There are over 6,000 Fairtrade products and buying them makes sure the people involved in making your products and the environment they work in are treated well. Some of the most common fairtrade products are:

Bananas
Coffee
Cocoa (chocolate)
Wine
Flowers
Tea

Looking to care more for the environment?

Here at Vavista we’re not just about insurance, we care about the planet too! That’s why we plant a tree for every policy we sell to help offset your carbon footprint.

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[1] The Fairtrade Foundation – Food labelling – CCEA – GCSE Home Economics: Food and Nutrition (CCEA) Revision – BBC Bitesize

[2] What is fair trade and how does it affect your food shop? – BBC Food

[3] Fairtrade Standards –

[4] 10 Principles of Fair Trade – One World Shop

What to do if you have an accident

Posted on 12th May 20237th May 2024 by Alexandra Lower

Nobody wants to be in an accident. But if the unthinkable happens, it’s important to be prepared and understand what you need to do. So, we’ve put together a cheat sheet, just follow these steps to handle any accident you’re in, in the best way possible.

Stop and remain calm
Check for injuries
Get contact details
Collect evidence
Don’t discuss who is to blame
Report the accident

1. Stop and remain calm

It’s important if you are involved in any accident you must stop! Leaving the scene of an accident is an offence under the Road Traffic Act.

Make sure your hazard warning lights are on, to alert other drivers of why you’re stopping. Turn off your engine.

Try to remain as calm as you can. Take some deep breaths and don’t let your temper get the better of you. That will only make a stressful situation worse for everyone involved.

2. Check for injuries

Check if you or anyone else is injured and if required, call for ambulance and police immediately.

Remember – never remove a motorcyclist’s helmet, unless it is essential, and you’re trained to do so. This could cause further injury.

3. Get contact details

Why is it important?

Having full and accurate information about the accident benefits both you and your insurer. It makes it a lot quicker to get any claims sorted. Plus, it’s the law that you must stop and give your name and address at the scene of an accident.

What details should I collect?

Names of all involved – make sure you get the names of the drivers involved.
Contact information – a phone number and/or email address of the other drivers. This is essential to get a claim moving as soon as possible.
The name and number of the other driver’s insurance company
Registration of all vehicles – vehicle registration, make and model can help verify the other driver’s involvement. Also check if the driver is the registered keeper. For example, the car could be a company car, or someone could be driving their parents or partners car.
Home address – full address and post code of all drivers involved.
Any passengers – number of passengers in each vehicle, along with any names if possible.

What information should I provide?

You should give the other driver the same details you took from them (see list above.)

If there is no one else involved in the accident, for example, you hit a parked car or someone’s personal property, you should still leave your details. Leave a note where the owner can see it with your name, phone number, the damage you caused and your insurance details.

If you choose to drive away without leaving details, but have been seen by a witness or CCTV, you could find yourself in legal trouble.

4. Collect evidence

By gathering as much information as possible while its fresh in your mind, you will make it much easier to make a claim. Make sure you get the following:

The date and time of the accident.
A description of what happened.
Take pictures. If it’s safe to do, take photos of the scene of the accident and any damage to all the vehicles.
The driving conditions – weather, visibility, and road quality
Any witness names, phone numbers and/or email addresses if they are happy to give them to you.

5. Don’t discuss who is to blame

It’s important not to admit guilt to the other drivers involved. Some insurance policies even state in their terms and conditions that you can’t admit guilt to the other parties involved at the scene. Saying an accident was your fault at the scene could invalidate your policy. It’s important to let the insurance companies decide whose fault the accident was when they have all the details. It’s not the law that you have to admit liability. Do not let witnesses or the other drivers pressure you into admitting fault.

What if it’s your fault?

If you believe the accident to be your fault, you should report the accident to your insurer and advise of this. They will be able to reach out to the other parties involved and deal with any claim on your behalf.

6. Report the incident

To your insurance provider

You should report your accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible, providing them with the information you collected. It’s important to report an accident even if you don’t want to make a claim. This helps your insurer deal with any claims received from the other driver.

Depending on your policy, you will have a set amount of time you need to report the accident by. Check your policy documents asap for your specified time frame as reporting outside of this could invalidate your cover.

Find more information on how to make a claim here.

To the police

If anyone involved refuses to exchange details or leaves the scene, you should report this to the police. You should also report if you feel the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If immediate emergency assistance is required call 999, however if the accident is minor, you can report the accident either by calling 101 or completing an online form. You need to report the accident within 24 hours of it occurring. Failure to do so could result in a fine, points on your licence, or a disqualification from driving.

6 Self Help Tips for Anxiety

Posted on 12th May 2023 by SBSS

Is anxiety normal?

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 is taking place the 15th to 21st May, and the theme this year is anxiety. Unsurprisingly, the pandemic led to a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide[1], according to the World Health Organisation, and to make things worse, mental health services were more difficult to access at this time. The cost-of-living crisis have led to a lot of people having financial anxieties too.

Anxiety is certainly a common human emotion – who hasn’t been a bit anxious before an interview, social event, or a hospital appointment? Around 6 in 10 adults admit to having suffered from significant anxiety from time to time.[2] Anxiety in certain circumstances is understandable, natural and can even be beneficial – as it encourages us to prepare.

When is anxiety a problem?

When anxiety is frequent, occurs during routine activities like leaving the house, and interferes with someone’s life, it becomes disabling. It is termed General Anxiety Disorder or GAD when it is the main feature of someone’s mental health problems.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Symptoms of anxiety can be easy to spot. They usually present as a feeling of panic and difficulty concentrating or physical symptoms such as sweating or nausea[3].

Sometimes they may be less easy to identify – such as irritability, a feeling of detachment or sleep problems. A racing or irregular heartbeat may occur. Although this can also be a sign of an actual heart problem, which can increase anxiety in itself, especially if the anxiety is about your health.

Anxiety can lead to panic attacks. These usually come with tingling around the mouth, pins and needles in the limbs and cramps in the hands as well as hyperventilating.

Severe anxiety needs assessment and support from a medical professional who will help identify the cause and suggest treatments. Treatment usually includes general support, cognitive behavioural therapy and medication.

But, for milder anxiety symptoms you may want to consider the following. Remember though, none of these tips will replace seeing your medical professional.

1. Try to improve your sleep

7-8 hours sleep is essential for most of us to maintain good mental and physical health. Poor sleep increases the stress hormone cortisol which can increase anxiety. Feeling anxious can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep – creating a vicious cycle.

You can increase your chances of getting a good sleep by: avoiding artificial TV or phone lights, not eating heavy meals, not drinking alcohol and reading a book before bed.

2. Reduce caffeine

Another easy way to improve sleep and reduce anxiety is to avoid caffeine after 12 to 1pm. Caffeine has a recognised blocking effect on adenosine, a chemical that induces sleep.

Caffeine-induced sleep disorder, caffeine-induced anxiety and caffeine-withdrawal disorder are all recognised psychiatric disorders, and yet you can buy energy drinks and high street coffees with over 300mg of caffeine per cup. The recommended daily amount of caffeine is 400mg in adults, or 200mg in pregnant adults. So, by simply reducing your caffeine intake, you may find your sleep improves and your anxiety subsides.

3. Get active – outdoors!

Exercise has well-recognised benefits for improving both anxiety and depression. Exercise produces endorphins — chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers. Scientists have found that regular exercise can decrease levels of tension, stabilize mood and improve self-esteem. Just five minutes of aerobic exercise can begin to stimulate anti-anxiety effects. [4] A recent randomised controlled study showed a 12-week group exercise programme was effective in treating anxiety in primary care[5].

If you can get out in nature to do it, even better. Natural light early in the day can improve sleep, and green spaces are known to have a positive impact on mental health, so exercising outside is even more beneficial[6].

4. Practice deep breathing

If you want a free, easy, and fast way to reduce anxiety, then something you can do in the moment is concentrate on your breathing. Hyperventilating (breathing fast) is a result of the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism in your brain making sure you have enough air in your muscles to run or fight an imagined threat. By controlling and slowing down your breath, you can convince your brain there is nothing threatening you.

There are various phone apps that can help you with this, but there’s also lots of free resources on YouTube and on the NHS website. Just search for ‘calming breathing exercises’ online.

5. Boost nutrients and your microbiome

Evidence is showing there’s a link between good nutrition and better mental and physical health. Processed, sugary foods, low in nutrients can exacerbate anxiety whereas the nutrients in fruit and vegetables, other vitamins and minerals in fresh food, omega 3 fatty acids and more are associated with improved mood and lower anxiety in both animal and human studies.

What’s more, the latest research around our gut microbiome (naturally occurring bacteria and other micro-organisms) suggests they can interact with our brain via various chemicals that influence our mood. Prioritising high fibre foods, live yoghurt and fermented foods can boost our healthy gut microbes and our mental health too.

6. Find a four-legged friend

Finally, various research studies have shown the positive effects on anxiety and other mental health conditions from regular contact with dogs[7]. In fact, some universities, hospitals and other institutions where anxiety can be common, have introduced ‘petting therapy’ and shown a reduction in cortisol and stress levels. Even if owning a pet isn’t possible, joining a friend for a dog-walk can help reduce anxiety and improve health in several ways. There are also schemes whereby you can volunteer to walk a dog for someone else, or even borrow them for a few days!

Remember, anxiety is common and sharing any concerns about anxiety symptoms with your doctor or with a mental health support service will help in itself, as well as getting you the help you need. If your anxiety is in any way troubling you, it is always best to see a medical professional first and foremost.

[1] https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide

[2] Products – Data Briefs – Number 378- September 2020 (cdc.gov)

[3] https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/anxiety-fear-panic/

[4] https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/managing-anxiety/exercise-stress-and-anxiety

[5] Henriksson M et al. Effects of exercise on symptoms of anxiety in primary care patients: A randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2022

[6] Barton J, Rogerson M. The importance of greenspace for mental health. BJPsych Int. 2017

[7] Maurice C, Engels C, Canouï-Poitrine F, Lemogne C, Fromantin I, Poitrine E. Dog ownership and mental health among community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2022