Then vs Now: 18 Years of Change

Eighteen years ago, when Chill Insurance first opened its doors, Ireland looked completely different. Bertie Ahern was Taoiseach, the iPhone hadn't been invented yet, and people were still debating whether the Celtic Tiger would ever slow down. Fast forward to today, and well... let's just say a few things have shifted.

As we celebrate Chill's 18th birthday, we thought it'd be fun to take a trip down memory lane and see just how much has changed since 2007. Spoiler alert: it's quite a lot. But through all the technological revolutions, cultural shifts, and general chaos of the past two decades, one thing has stayed constant - Chill's been right there, keeping insurance simple so you could get on with living life.

Ready for a nostalgic journey? Let's dive in.

Technology

Then (2007): Your Nokia 3310 could survive being dropped down three flights of stairs, and the biggest decision was which polyphonic ringtone to download. Friday nights were spent updating your Bebo "Top 16," and if you had a camera phone, you were basically the neighbourhood photographer.

Now (2025): If your smartphone battery lasts a full day, it feels like a miracle. TikTok trends change faster than you can scroll, and your entire life - banking, boarding passes, playlists - lives on a screen thinner than a Rich Tea biscuit. We've gone from "Don't believe everything you read on the internet" to getting our news from 15-second videos.

Entertainment

Then (2007): A trip to Xtra-Vision was an actual family outing. You'd argue over which DVD to rent, only to end up with Shrek the Third... again. Missed your favourite programme on RTÉ? Tough luck until the Christmas repeat. TV3 was still a thing, and everyone gathered around the telly at half seven.

Now (2025): You have access to hundreds of shows at once and still spend more time scrolling Netflix than actually watching anything. The only thing we binge faster than television series? Podcasts on our commute. And somehow, despite having infinite choice, we all end up rewatching The Office for the dozenth time.

Travel

Then (2007): Ryanair boarding passes were printed at home on A4 paper that you'd guard like the crown jewels. Getting through Dublin Airport felt like a day-long expedition, and you'd print your boarding pass on the good printer to make sure the barcode didn't smudge. Your holiday photos lived in actual albums that gathered dust on shelves.

Now (2025): Everything's on your phone - boarding passes, hotel bookings, restaurant reservations. You can check in from your kitchen table and get live updates about gate changes. Your holiday snaps are instantly shared with everyone you've ever met, whether they want to see your breakfast in Barcelona or not.

Money Matters

Then (2007): Cheques were still a legitimate form of payment, and you'd plan your week around bank opening hours to sort out any financial business. Credit unions were where you went for car loans, and online banking felt like something from a science fiction film. Cash was king, and you always kept a few punt coins "just in case."

Now (2025): Revolut notifications ping constantly, Apple Pay works everywhere except that one stubborn chipper, and cryptocurrency conversations happen at dinner parties. Your bank balance is literally at your fingertips, though whether that's a blessing or a curse depends on how much you spent on takeaways this month.

Cars and Transport

Then (2007): Your first car was probably a second-hand Micra with a CD player that skipped every time you hit a pothole. Parking in town meant having a pocketful of coins, and sat-navs were luxury items that posh people had stuck to their windscreens.

Now (2025): Electric cars are everywhere, charging points pop up like mushrooms after rain, and your car practically parks itself. Google Maps knows about traffic jams before you do, and contactless parking payments mean you'll never have to scramble for change again. Though petrol prices still make you weep into your wallet.

Work Life

Then (2007): "Working from home" was something freelancers did, and video calls were reserved for important international meetings. Your office computer was slower than a wet week in Donegal, and printing emails was completely normal behaviour.

Now (2025): Zoom fatigue is a recognised condition, hybrid working is the norm, and your home office setup rivals actual offices. We've learned that yes, you can have meetings in your pyjama bottoms, and no, it doesn't make you less professional. Probably.

Communication

Then (2007): Text messages cost 12 cent each, so you'd abbreviate everything to save money. "C u l8r" was perfectly acceptable grammar. Phone calls were planned events, and leaving a voicemail actually meant something.

Now (2025): WhatsApp groups control our social lives, voice notes have replaced actual calls, and read receipts have created more relationship drama than Fair City. We communicate more than ever but somehow feel less connected. Go figure.

Shopping

Then (2007): Saturday shopping trips to the city centre were social events. You'd try everything on, queue to pay with cash, and carry your purchases home in actual bags. Online shopping existed but felt risky - would your package actually arrive?

Now (2025): Same-day delivery is standard, you can return items by leaving them outside your door, and clicking "buy now" while lying in bed at midnight is a dangerous hobby. The high street might be struggling, but your local post office has never been busier with parcel collections.

Insurance (Yes, We're Going There)

Then (2007): Getting insurance meant hours on the phone, mountains of paperwork, and waiting weeks for quotes. Switching providers was such a hassle that people stuck with the same company for decades, even when they were paying through the nose.

Now (2025): You can compare quotes, switch providers, and manage your entire policy online in minutes. At Chill, we've spent 18 years making sure insurance fits around your life, not the other way around. Because who has time for complicated when there's living to be done?

The More Things Change...

Looking back, it's remarkable how much has shifted in just 18 years. We've gone from a world of physical media, cash transactions, and planned communication to instant everything. Our pockets are lighter (no more coins) but our phones are heavier (with the weight of infinite choice and constant connectivity).

Some changes have been brilliant - who doesn't love being able to summon a taxi with a tap or video-call family overseas for free? Others have been... well, let's just say there was something to be said for the days when you could disappear for a few hours without anyone tracking your location.

But through all the technological leaps, cultural shifts, and general madness of modern life, some things have remained constant. Good craic is still good craic. Tea still solves most problems. And having reliable, straightforward insurance still matters - perhaps now more than ever, when everything else moves at lightning speed.

At Chill, we've watched Ireland change over these 18 years, and we've changed too. We've embraced new technology, adapted to new ways of working, and listened to what our customers actually need. But our core mission has never wavered: keep insurance simple, keep it fair, and keep it chill.

So here's to 18 years of change, innovation, and keeping things refreshingly straightforward in an increasingly complicated world. The next 18 years? Who knows what they'll bring. Flying cars? Robot insurance advisors? Cryptocurrency claims?

Whatever happens, we'll be here, making sure your insurance stays as chill as ever.