Monthly Archives: May 2012

Fleet Insurance – The Best Option For You?

If your business handles several vehicles, with numerous employees driving those vehicles, you may be puzzled about the correct insurance for your company. Contacting your insurance broker should give you professional advice about what you need. However, it is always useful to have a level of background knowledge to better understand your businesses coverage policy.

The basics of Fleet Insurance

A fleet insurance policy can offer adequate cover for three or more vehicles used within your business, including either several named drivers or a possible ‘any driver’ policy. The nature of this insurance tailors specifically to your business’ exact requirements taking into account the type of vehicles used, what your business entails and the employees who would be driving those vehicles. Named driver policies are usually cheaper than ‘any driver’ policies due to the high risk factor that ‘any driver’ policies encompass. It is important to bear in mind that ‘any driver’ still holds certain restrictions such as, being employed by the company or holding a full UK drivers licence for a length of time. Fleet cover is often confused with family fleet policies, which are two completely different aspects of motor insurance .The key difference being that family fleet policies are aimed specifically at families with a minimum of 2 vehicles and 2 drivers. If you are a family that is searching for insurance in this respect then family fleet cover would be more appropriate for the adequate cover you require.

How do I get a fleet policy?

Hopefully this article has provided you with a basic insight into the best insurance policy for your business. The next step couldn’t be easier, make an enquiry and contact a qualified insurance for in-depth professional advice. By doing this you can make an independent and informed decision on what insurance is in the best interests of your company.

Distracted (Phone Using) Drivers Could Suffer A 20% Increase On Insurance Premiums

According to recent studies motorists could experience a 20% rise in car insurance premiums if prosecuted for using a mobile phone whilst driving. The studies were initiated due to the increase in people using a mobile phone behind the wheel. Smart phones are being held partly responsible for the rise as young people in particular are able to take advantage of new technological advances. These highly sophisticated devices allow the owner to browse the internet, download & play music, text, play games and use of a variety of applications – all potentially whilst driving. It is safe to say that stereotyping young drivers as being more prone to distractions by devices such as mobile phones, will not aid their battle to lower their already expensive insurance premiums.

Statistics reveal that approximately 170,000 drivers are caught per year on the phone, which is similar to those given speeding offences – but with worse repercussions on premiums. The current consequence of being caught using a mobile phone whilst driving will land you a minimum £60 fine and 3 points on your licence. However, these punishments are the least of your worries when you consider the implications it will have on your insurance premium. Your insurer must be aware of these convictions, so it is imperative that you explain all your convictions in advance to ensure your insurance will be valid.

It is understandable that various individuals may require frequent communication if they are required to travel around the country as part of their employment. So, an alternative widely used are ‘hands free’ devices. The theory behind this is being able to participate in a conversation whilst maintaining full concentration on driving – both hands on the wheel. Unfortunately, research has proven that this can also provide a distraction to the driver, therefore you can still be prosecuted for improper use of those devices whereby your driving ability is impaired. New cars are now modified for the use of a mobile phone. Nevertheless it will still be several years before the prices become low enough for most people.

As much as you may dismiss using a phone as a minor infringement it is a breach of safety when a driver attempts to phone and drive. Even a slight lapse of concentration can cause a road accident – possibly resulting in minor or severe road accident injuries. In summary, 3 points on your licence, £60 fine, increased insurance premium and possible chance of minor or severe injuries – only one question springs to mind : Can you really afford it?

Young Drivers Continue To Be Struck By Car Insurance Premiums

According to recent research young drivers are continuing to suffer outrageous insurance premiums. Newly qualified drivers are finding it more and more difficult to work up those vital no claims bonuses that help reduce renewal premiums over the following years. Recent statistics show that young drivers pay approximately six times as much for car insurance than pensioners. The average comprehensive cover of young drivers in the UK is around £2,500, little under a fifth of the average yearly salary of young people aged 18-21! If this wasn’t bad enough young male drivers are often targeted due to their ‘high risk factor’ and made to pay on average £3635 per annum.

 

It may seem unfair that the younger generation, those with the lowest average income, are being forced to fork out for massive insurance premiums just for the freedom of their own transport. However the fact remains that younger drivers are far more likely to be involved in an accident than any other age category. Although it is important not to discriminate against individuals, studies have shown that young people are more likely to drink under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speed, drive whilst on a mobile phone and not wear seatbelts. These are all contributing factors to the causing of thousands of car accidents each year, whether that is minor or severe collisions, resulting in insurance claims. However you cannot deny the fact that the number of accidents caused by young drivers is steadily decreasing and has been for several years despite substantial rises in premiums.

Although younger drivers are often highlighted as being the only people that are suffering from insurance premium rises, it is not entirely true. In fact studies from 2011 showed that on average, the cheapest car insurance policy has risen by 15% and is continuing to shoot up. However, the highest average increase in premiums does remain with young drivers. To add to the problem, many car insurance companies are now actually refusing to cover any people under the age of 21. If this continues it may become more and more problematic for young drivers to find  insurance from a good quality insurer at reasonable prices.

So the question remains, why are these insurance premiums still increasing and why has nothing been done to protect young drivers from expensive premiums? Many politicians are now linking the increase in premium charges to the sudden increase in dubious whiplash claims. This seems relatively simple, more expensive claims, means more money paid out by insurance companies resulting in higher insurance premiums, a vicious cycle. This has been highlighted by MP’s but what measures are being induced to actually prevent rising insurance premiums? Suggestions are being made for a more thorough examination of whiplash claimants to determine whether they are truly affected by their injuries with a higher standard of justification of their claim. Also, there are plans to curb the companies that profit from accidents

However the future may look brighter, experts are predicting that over the following years motor premium inflation will ease. Whether or not this materialises is anyone’s guess.

Are you prepared for Euro 2012? Your Insurance Guide to Euro 2012

Those of you who are contemplating on taking the pilgrimage to support the three lions this year in the Ukraine / Poland, may consider the implications of not getting yourself covered with correct travel and car insurance. Whether you are braving a long perilous car/coach journey or taking to the skies, it is always well worth getting yourself covered as if it was any other holiday abroad. We all hope for that perfect holiday atmosphere but when things turn sideways there is no worse feeling than realising you have no insurance coverage – almost as painful as when England lose that “oh so important” semi-final!

Travelling By Car

It is important to remember that your vehicle (particularly if it is over ten years old) may not meet foreign rules and regulations. Older vehicles in some circumstances do not conform to the safety specifications required in some countries. It is urged that motorists thoroughly check this before embarking on their travels. It is equally significant that motorists understand the laws and legislation regarding road use through each individual country. This will decrease any interruption upon your extensive journey and safeguard you from convictions in countries whereby you assume you haven’t broken the law.

The most efficient way of checking whether or not you are covered to drive overseas is to contact your motor insurance provider directly. Your MOT ought to be up to date and meet the safety requirements of the countries you are visiting (this varies from the UK requirements). Your driver’s license may not make you eligible to drive abroad even if you hold a certified UK drivers licence. In addition to an adequate drivers licence, any additional papers could be required whilst travelling through certain countries, e.g. international drivers permit.

Travel Insurance

Whilst embarking on your journey to Euro 2012 it is essential that you take out the correct travel insurance. This primarily covers you from Cancellation or Curtailment, Emergency Medical Expenses and Personal Possessions.  As with most other insurance coverage there are levels of coverage to choose from that can be tailored specifically to you. By not taking out a sufficient policy you could be mounted with foreign medical fees, loss of possessions and have no coverage in the event of a cancellation.

 

Bringing home the trophy

Ensuring your health & safety is a priority on any journey. How better to achieve this than to take the first step by contacting an insurance broker and ensuring you have the adequate car and/or travel insurance. By doing this you give yourself a sense of confidence, allowing you to enjoy the Euro 2012 to its fullest.

New Jail Term Prosecutions Against Drug Drivers

Ministers are stepping in to introduce new laws to clamp down on drug driving. Offenders could find themselves being prosecuted and sentenced to up to 6 months according to latest reports. Ultimately the aim of this new legislation is to protect honest motorists and pedestrians from unnecessary accidents caused by the impaired driving ability of drug takers. In addition to time behind bars a substantial fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum driving ban of 12 months will be enforced against offenders.

This political move focuses on using specialist equipment known as ‘drugyalysers’ that can be used by police on a roadside to detect drug substances in saliva – similarly to alcohol breath testing. This can provide the sufficient evidence required to prosecute an individual in court – not readily available until now. In effect this will abolish the previous unreliable Field Impairment assessment whereby motorists were to prove their co-ordination and balance capabilities. Families of victims that have suffered injuries directly because of narcotic influenced driving are backing the movement in attempt to see justice done.

The drug screening equipment is expected to be ready within 3-4 months, giving time for legislation to be passed and to decide what drugs should be included within the new law. The most common narcotic taken that results in a road accident is cannabis – this causes brain impairment and loss of brain function. Therefore cannabis is a likely candidate to be involved in the new law. It is hoped the law will be a successful deterrent to people taking cannabis and driving. In many ways this can mirror the already proven benefits that breathalysing has shown us over the last decade. Although drink driving is still common amongst motorists, the introduction of laws against drunk driving undoubtedly has reduced road accidents.

The knock on effects of new legislation could make the future brighter in reducing car insurance premiums. Deterring narcotic use whilst driving will hopefully reduce road accidents along with fewer claims made on an insurance policy. This could be the turning point in lowering insurance premiums which we so drastically need in the midst of the current financial climate. In addition to reducing accidents, drug takers will be just as concerned about the effect a conviction will have on their renewal premiums. A driving ban significantly increases this renewal cost. So much in fact that many offenders may not be able to afford to drive even once their driving ban is lifted.

A prominent message is clearly being sent across the nation – the government will not tolerate drug-driving offences. It is impossible to disagree that this new legislation is not an excellent step towards providing a safer road environment and in due course lowering insurance premiums.