Get Yourself a Tailored Motor Trade Insurance Quote To Save Yourself Money
September 1st, 2011As with any part of your business, when it comes to expenses you want to save as much money as possible in order to increase profit margins. That being said cutting corners is not the way to go, but tailoring your motor trade insurance quote can save you lots of money in the long run.
These types of policies are usually generic and are related to your specific industry – the broker might not care if you sell cars or if you repair them, they will hopefully offer you a policy that covers just about everything and then some.
Before you even contact a broker, it’s advisable to know exactly what you need from your policy. You need to know if you are going to allow staff members to drive customer vehicles or if you are going to take that responsibility on your own.
Once you have determined exactly what you need and what you expect from your policy, you can start contacting brokers and getting quotes. Tell them exactly what you need and when you receive the quotes double check them.
Often if you are going to be selling cars you won’t need some of the cover offered to mechanics and vice versa. A mechanic will definitely not need demonstration cover unless he intends selling cars and as a car dealer you need to ensure that they have included demonstration cover (an optional extra on most policies) on the policy.
If you have decided to include staff members to the policy to drive customer vehicles to see what work needs doing and then again to confirm the work has been carried out successfully, it’s important to follow a couple of guidelines that will help you keep down your costs.
Firstly the drivers you choose should be over twenty five years old, under this age is considered high risk as the majority of accidents in the UK are caused by younger drivers. You also need to ensure that your staff have clean driving licences and limited convictions against them. They should also not have any criminal convictions against them. Any driving experience they have may help.
The same applies to you, when taking out this cover make sure the broker is aware that you have no criminal convictions, a cleanish licence, you are over twenty five and how long you have had a no claims bonus for! These all go towards reducing your premium and saving you money – this is why tailoring your motor trade insurance quote can save you money.
Cover Yourself from Employee Theft with a Shop Insurance Policy
September 1st, 2011If you own a shop, whether you sell computers or have a nail salon, employee theft can be a big problem. It is a sad that but shops and stores lose thousands of pounds a year due to employee theft – now you can protect yourself from this if you have a shop insurance policy.
With a reported third of all shoplifting costs within the UK being attributed to employees, this is a real risk to your business. The average criminally minded employee steals £1,988 of goods/money.
While there are obvious precautions you can take to deter your employees from stealing, having the right protection can still make all the difference.
Using CCTV cameras and locking cash away in safes is the first step you need to take. Most crimes are opportunistic and if the money isn’t visible it won’t be tempting to a previously trustworthy member of staff member. In this economic climate evidence suggests people are struggling to make ends meet and the temptation may be too much. On the rare occasion you may not even notice your staff are stealing, your till may be down a couple of pounds here or there. This might not be the end of the world until it starts to get regular and more money starts vanishing.
It is devastating for any business owner to find out that one of their key staff members has been stealing. It is also common with accounts & administrative employees that count and distribute monies. A business relies on profits and in this day and age it’s hard to make enough money to make those all important profits.
Being able to protect your business against this often overlooked scenario should be considered by all business people – especially retail.
Don’t take the risk, plan, deter and protect your livelihood against opportunistic thefts. Your shop insurance policy can protect you.
VW launch their new city car – Up
August 25th, 2011At the September Frankfurt Motor Show, VW have plans to unveil their latest creation, a city car with the quirky name Up!
Some photographs have already been released giving us a sneak peak of what we can expect from this new city car.
The Up! is planned to hit the UK next year, although as yet, prices are still to be confirmed. It is expected to be start at around £8,500. Already experts in the world of motoring are predicting great things for this pint size car, it is expected to be VW’s biggest seller in the UK.
The Up!, which has been worked on VW for years, is going to be smaller than the Polo measuring just 354cm long! Although VW maintain the car will still hold four adults.
There will be three versions on offer, an entry level, the comfort-oriented model and high up! the highest level available. The car will be run on a 1.0l engine a bhp of 59-74 depending on which level you buy. The cost to run the car is expected to be extremely low, in fact under existing regulations, the lucky owners could escape having to pay for road tax and congestions charges.
This fun and compact car is expected to have a bright and colourful interior, and will come with the VW Maps and More system, which is a first.
So if you are in the motor trade, or just a keen car enthusiast, check out some photos of this nifty new car at the VW site.
Or if you would prefer to see the car in the flesh (or the metal!) you will have to wait for the big reveal at the Frankfurt Motor show.
This article was brought to you by Think Insurance, specialists in Motor Traders Insurance Policies.
New British Luxury Carmaker
August 25th, 2011Motor Traders, dealers and car enthusiasts are waiting with baited breath for the arrival of a new car.
A new luxury car brand, from a brand new British car manufacturer, is about to hit the market, launching at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.
The British carmaker, Eterniti Motors, plan on taking the car industry by storm with their new luxury crossover car, believed to be called the Hemera.
Shrouded in mystery, very little has been revealed about this new brand or about the car itself. The carmakers website describe themselves as ‘A different kind of luxury car brand. A luxury car brand from London. Eterniti Motors.’ In fact this was the only thing given away when a statement was released to the press announcing the arrival of the new company.
The website gives expectant motorists a sketch of the Hemera, rumored to cost somewhere between £150k and £200k and a short video to wet the appetite of car enthusiasts.
It is not currently known exactly who is behind this new brand, but a spokesperson has confirmed, “there are people with lots of experience of motorsport, luxury cars, high-performance road cars and driving experts involved”.
The spokesperson also went on to say that anyone wishing to buy the new model can expect to be given a whole host of optional extras, such as a diamond encrusted roof lining!
Eterniti definitely don’t have an easy ride ahead of them. Entering this prestigious market will pit the brand directly against the likes of Bentley and Lagonda, already established brands at the luxury end of the market.
So for those in the motoring industry who are excitedly anticipating the arrival of this new car, all will be revealed on the 14th September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And for those interested in purchasing one, start saving now!
This article was brought to you by Think Insurance, the specialists in Motor Trade Insurance.
Social Media for Motor Traders
August 23rd, 2011At the beginning of this month, Think Insurance shared an article on how important mobile technology is becoming in the motor trade industry with predictions from Google that by 2013 more online searches will be carried out using mobile phones than on conventional computers.
Another, increasingly important business tool for dealers is social media. This is an area that many motor traders are already embracing, with 80% of the ‘Motor Trader Top 200 Dealers’ currently using social media sites to promote their businesses and communicate with their customers.
Recognising how valuable social media can be for a business is vital in the current economic climate we are operating in. If dealers and traders want to stay ahead and find new and relevant ways to reach potential customers, social media must become part of their marketing mix.
On the 2nd of November a Social Media Conference will be taking place in Cheshire. Many dealers are already signing up to attend, taking the opportunity to learn more about how to increase their online traffic and boost sales through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
The event will host speakers from Google, Ford Retail Group, Marshall Motor Group and GForces to name a few. The conference will be hosted by Penny Mallory, rally driver and TV presenter.
Garrath Hussey, Chief Executive at Think Insurance urges dealers to embrace social media “Many small businesses are finding themselves struggling in this tough climate. If motor traders want to keep on top of emerging technologies, and use tools and media that will generate new business, social media should be at the top of their list”.
For dealers wishing to learn more about social media and how it might benefit their own businesses, places are still available on the conference in Cheshire on the 2nd November. For more details and information on the conference and how to book your place, call 020 8253 8717.
Pass or Fail – depends on where you live?
August 23rd, 2011If you thought passing your driving test was purely about skills and ability, think again. According to the DFT (Department for Transport) the place where you end up taking your test can be a huge contributing factor.
The DFT have just released a list showing those towns and cities in the UK that have the best and worst pass rates.
So where should you avoid if you have plans to take your test? Wanstead in East London is definitely the place to steer clear of, with a whopping 71% of drivers failing their test here. And bad luck if you live in Bradford, where a substantial 70% of people will also fail when taking their tests.
A driving instructor from East London commented to The People on why he felt the area he teaches is so tough for those taking their tests, ”The road layout can be quite tricky. Drivers can be aggressive, they go for gaps that aren’t there, overtake and generally take no prisoners”.
It will probably come as no surprise to hear if you live in a more rural location, your chances of passing increase dramatically. Mallaig on the West Coast of Scotland boasts the best pass rates of anywhere in the UK, with just 21% of drivers failing their tests. This is followed closely by Inveraray and Islay Island.
In fact if you live in Scotland you should do well, with the top ten ‘best places to take your test’ all being Scottish towns or cities.
The DFT claim that on average 46% of people will pass their tests first time, but as the lists show this can be a different story if you are lucky or unlucky enough to live in a certain part of the country
So when you are planning your lessons, and perfecting those all important manoeuvres, don’t forget you may have the odds stacked up against you before you begin!
Have a look at the lists below if you want to see where you stand the best chance of passing!
The best places to take your test
Centre First timers % of failures
Mallaig 14 21.4
Inveraray 34 23.5
(Argyll)
Islay Island 36 25
Isle of Skye 32 25
Kingussie 48 29.2
Lochgilphead 102 29.4
Benbecula 44 29.5
Island
Salen 27 29.6
(Island of Mull)
Campbeltown 68 33.8
Duns 97 34
The worst places to take your test
Centre First timers % of failures
Wanstead 4,826 71.5
Bradford 753 70.3
(Thornbury)
Bradford 2,486 70.2
(Heaton)
Heckmondwike 2,557 69.1
Bradford 2,104 68.6
(Eccleshill – closed)
Leeds 3,391 67.3
(Harehills)
Brentwood 1,950 67.3
Goodmayes 6,086 66.1
Hamilton 2,505 65.7
Barnet 4,315 65.5
This article was brought to you by Think Insurance, the specialists in Motor Trade Insurance.
CCTV Fines to be Refunded?
August 22nd, 2011Motorists who have been caught and fined by mobile CCTV cameras for parking illegally or driving in bus lanes may have a case to claim a refund. Following the recent success of the claim made by Nigel Wise in Richmond–upon-Thames, 24 councils could find themselves being challenged by motorists demanding their money back.
The case by Nigel Wise was won through contesting that the mobile CCTV van that issued his ticket had not been formally approved by the DFT (Department of Transport). Mr Wise not only won his appeal, but the council also paid his legal costs.
With as many as 24 local authorities bracing themselves for similar claims, the trade journal Parking News estimate the refunds could amount to millions of pounds. In fact Richmond council alone fear they could be subject to claims worth £1m from tickets issued between 2009 and 2011.
In March 2008 the Traffic Management Act gave the thumbs up to the use of CCTV cars and vans for issuing tickets via the post, to offending motorists.
Councils must be able to prove they have complied with the Traffic Management Act, meaning formal approval must have been given for the vehicles to be used legally. In the case of Richmond council and the Nigel Rose appeal, paperwork from the Governments Vehicle Certification Agency was found to be flawed, leading to Mr Rose winning his appeal.
The CCTV vehicles have angered and enraged motorists, especially those set up on double yellow lines. And with so many fines being questioned in terms of supporting evidence, it looks like many drivers might be taking the councils on in a bid to get their money refunded.
With motoring and road groups claiming the cameras are simply being used by councils for ‘Fine Harvesting”, the Chief Traffic Adjudicator Caroline Sheppard has insisted in her report that councils must ensure all CCTV cameras are used with ‘fairness and integrity’.
This article was brought to you by Think Insurance, specialists in motor trade insurance policies.
Race against the Sat-Nav
August 19th, 2011According to a new survey carried out by Sainsbury’s Car Insurance, millions of drivers have fessed up to playing a racing game against their satellite navigations systems.
It would seem that drivers are treating the estimated time of arrival set by their GPS devices as a challenge, and are doing their best to shave off time and arrive at their destinations sooner that predicted.
When a sat-nav calculates the length of time to get from A to B, they generally give the motorist the minimum time the journey could take, taking into consideration the speed limits on the routes suggested. So if a motorist races their sat-nav and wins, chances are some speed limits were broken along the way.
If the survey is to be believed, a massive 7.2 million drivers have admitted to racing their sat-navs. Unsurprising only half of these drivers admitted to breaking any speed limits while doing so.
In fact the survey has revealed that a scary 320,000 drivers are prepared to go to extreme lengths to beat their sat-navs, such as over-taking slower vehicles on bends all in a bid to beat that clock.
The survey has revealed that drivers in Humberside and Yorkshire are the main culprits, with one in five admitting to playing the racing game.
Head of Sainsbury’s Car Insurance, Ben Tyte urges comments on the survey “We are encouraging drivers using this new technology to have the safety of any passengers, other road users and pedestrians at the forefront of their minds and not be tempted to become GPS racers”.
Satellite navigation systems have frequently been on the receiving end of criticisms, with tales of drivers being directed into rivers, or lorries and trucks finding themselves stuck on narrow roads in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps this survey has revealed a more dangerous side to the devices and the behaviours they seem to be inciting in motorists.
This article was brought to you by Think Insurance, specialists in motor trade insurance.
Car leases on the rise
August 19th, 2011News from the FLA (Finance & Leasing Association) reveals that car leasing values have increased by 55% when compared to the same time period in the previous year.
In the second quarter of 2011 a whopping £100m was approved to motorists wishing to lease a car. This is a significant rise from the second quarter in 2010, when £66m was granted to those leasing vehicles.
It would seem that more and more motorists are opting to lease a vehicle each year in the UK, and not just businesses.
For many, the leasing market is probably most associated with business customers, but with ever increasing motoring costs, and higher living costs, finance companies are offering leasing packages to private customers wishing to purchase a car.
Leasing has proven to be particularly popular with motorists who plan to change or upgrade their car every 2 or 3 years. And with some leasing deals including road tax, servicing and maintenance packages, it can certainly cut costs for many drivers.
While the actual lease market is relatively small in the UK, these latest figures are indicating the speed in which this sector is now growing. In fact, in 2010 alone, a substantial 500k new cars and 635k used cars were purchased through motor finance deals.
The Head of Motor Finance at the FLA comments on the findings, “Almost three out of five motorists buying a new car use dealer finance. While personal contract purchase (PCP) and hire purchase deals remain popular, increasing numbers of people are turning to leasing as an affordable finance option”.
Garrath Hussey of Think Insurance, comments on the increasing trend towards leasing cars, “Car dealers and motor finance companies who can offer alternative ways of purchasing a vehicle will do well in this tough economy. Despite the mounting costs that motorists face every day, many still want to be driving decent cars, for as little financial outlay as possible. For some, leasing could be the answer”.
The Dangers of a Dirty Dashboard!
August 16th, 2011As a motor trade insurance broker we were more than interested to read the recent results of a study by Autoglass which astonishingly showed a third of van and truck drivers admitted to having had up to 30 near collisions in the past twelve months! – (and all this was because of the mess on the dashboard of their vehicle!)
The interesting survey of 2,000 white van and truck drivers found many different hazards/obstructions on the drivers dashboard, including 34% of drivers admitting to having fast food packaging on their dashboard, 24% having cuddly toys or tacky accessories, 21% newspapers and 19% coffee cups!
These dashboard distractions have led to 33% of van drivers and 34% of truck drivers admitting they had between 11 and 30 near misses in the past year.
Despite the near misses the drivers don’t seem to be fazed, with 10% admitting they never cleared the clutter from their dashboard.
If you’re reading this and you’re a motor trader – have a good look at your dashboard today and see what can be tidied away. A two minute clear up now could save a whole lot of trouble in the future. Do you really need a copy of last week’s newspaper, or all those coffee cups?
Think Insurance is a leading provider of Motor Trade Insurance in the UK.
For more information regarding this article, or to compare Motor Trade Insurance quotations, contact Think Insurance on 0844 573 2850.