Archive for the Current News Category

Following major travel disruption resulting from the volcanic ash incident, Ageas advises customers with a policy start date prior to 23 May 2011, who also booked their trip prior to 23 May 2011, will be covered as per their policy terms and conditions.

Ageas advises its customers in the first instance to contact their travel operator or airline to see if alternative arrangements can be made and to recover any reasonable costs. Customers are advised to check their policy terms and conditions.

Delays to journeys from the UK and journeys into the UK –  There is a benefit payable if the customer has booked scheduled transport and it is delayed for the minimum period specified in the policy. Cover only applies if the customer has checked in, in accordance with the airlines instructions.

Abandonment of trips from the UK –  There is cover for abandoning the holiday, if the outward journey from the UK is delayed for the minimum period specified in the policy and the customer decides to abandon their trip before they leave the UK.

Please Note – The abandonment section applies for irrecoverable amounts only – if costs are recoverable from the airline or a tour operator then cover under the travel Insurance policy does not apply.

Missed Departure – This section provides cover for reasonable additional travel and accommodation expenses if the customer’s transport is interrupted by specified causes preventing them from arriving at the airport on time and missing their flight. This cover may apply if a connecting flight is missed.

What isn’t covered? – As the ash incident is now a known event, for travel policies and trips booked on or after 23 May 2011, cover is not available in respect of the volcanic ash.

For more information on travel insurance give us a call on 01937 544781.

We are pleased to advise that one of our caravan insurers has enhanced their product to include a no claims discount, which is available immediately for new business quotations.

This is in addition to the standard covers available such as:

• Free continental use up to 180 days per annum (no need to notify us prior to travel)
• Point of Sale documentation
• Loss of Use covered up to £50 per day up to a maximum of £1,500
• New for Old cover on both touring and static caravans up to 10 years of age
• New for Old awning cover on touring caravans up to 7 years of age
• Voluntary Excess Discount for Touring Caravans
• Low £75 excess on touring caravans
• No excess on static caravans
• Public Liability included automatically

For an immediate quotation please call us on 01377 318255.

Ecclesiastical have provided the following useful information to help prevent theft of heating oil from both domestic and commercial properties.

The first indication that a theft has taken place is often when the heating stops working.  Usually, it’s assumed that the boiler is at fault, but regrettably the problem is often that there’s no oil left.  Thefts vary from small amounts being stolen to the whole tank being drained.  The methods used by the thieves can be very crude, including drilling or punching holes in the side of the tank and then filling jerry cans.

What you can do to prevent losses

• Monitor the level of oil in your tank regularly.
• Conceal the location of the tank by using hedging, fencing or walling.
• Securely lock doors at all times if the tank is situated within a building.
• Consider installing security lighting to cover the tank, if it is overlooked by nearby buildings.
• Ask nearby residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.
• Padlock the valve.  This may not always be the correct course of action, as thieves may smash the valve completely, but it can deter a less determined thief.
• Ensure any gates are locked at night, to make it more difficult for a thief to escape with oil.
• Install an alarm device which creates an alert if the oil level suddenly drops or if the lock is attacked.
• Consider close circuit television.

Please contact us for further information by clicking here or call 01377 318255 and ensure you are covered.

Have you sent your licence to the DVLA to have the endorsement applied to your licence’s paper counterpart?

If not, did you know that you could have your licence revoked and therefore be driving round without insurance?

In the past people who failed to submit their licence were given a 12 month period of grace.  After this time their licence would be revoked and they would lose their entitlement to drive.

As of November 2010 if a driver doesn’t surrender their licence within 28 days the licence will be revoked straight away.  If they carry on driving it will be deemed the same as driving without a licence and therefore an offence.  No licence means no Insurance.

Employers should ensure that they regularly check the validity of their employees driving licences and make them aware of the recent changes.  If an employer knowingly allows one of their employees to continue driving with the knowledge that their licence has been revoked they may be guilty of an offence themselves.

For further information visit the DVLA website.

DRIVE CAREFULLY AND SAFELY

For further information on car insurance please contact us on 01377 318255 or email us at info@a1insurance.co.uk

According to industry figures, 60,200 household insurance claims were made during the Winter season last year.  To help householders avoid both the cost and inconvenience of damage to property caused by severe weather, Legal and General Insurance have compiled a leaflet outlining the simple steps a homeowner can take to protect themselves and their properties from the cold this Winter.  To view click on the link below:

Protecting your home this Winter

If you do experience property damage due to the severe weather please call the A1 team who will handle your claim as quickly and painlessly as possible.

With widespread snow already affecting many parts of Scotland and North-East England, weather forecasters are predicting the cold spell will continue over the next week. The cold weather is likely to bring with it the usual problems for your property.

Please click on the following link to view or download a Winter Risk Guide – providing you with practical advice to help minimise the risks of common issues, including:

–  Avoiding burst pipes
–  Building maintenance
–  Keeping pathways clear
–  Temporary heater advice

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us on 01377 318255.

You, your family and friends are paying for the cost of insurance fraud every year.

People who lie when taking out or renewing their insurance policies, or who make false or exaggerated claims are committing fraud.

While you are paying insurance premiums, they have their hand in your back pocket.

Don’t let them feed their greed – insurance fraud is wrong and it’s a crime.

Know of a fraudster?  Pick up the phone and help us make life difficult for them and fairer for you.

CALL THE CHEATLINE 0800 328 2550 FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

Report a fraud online at www.insurancefraudbureau.org/city

Ensure you are fully compliant with the law…

Employers may wish to take some of the following practical steps to ensure they are fully compliant with the law.

• Update Equality and Diversity, sickness absence and recruitment policies.
• Audit recruitment processes and review the use of pre-employment health questionnaires.
• Review salary letters, contracts, handbooks and practice on secrecy pay.
• Make amendments to staff inductions regarding diversity and harassment.
• Ensure the Equality and Diversity training is rolled out (to pre-empt a recommendation from the employment Tribunal).
• Ensure that appropriate documents are created and retained so that they can be used as objective justification should any issue arise.
• Take steps to warn third parties that harassment of staff will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

This is a brief synopsis.

We at A1 Insurance can arrange employment protection insurance to look after your employment law problems.

Just e-mail us at info@a1insurance.co.uk

Telephone Alan Beardmore / Ian Darnbrook 01377 318255 to discuss your needs

The average cost of comprehensive cover increased by 8.6% between July and September, however this is a drop on the 14.2% rise last quarter, according to Confused.com/EMB Car Insurance Price Index.

The index revealed that the average comprehensive premium now stands at £650, an increase of £51 in the quarter.

However, the report found that the cost of comprehensive policies has risen 37.5% since October 2009.

Third party, fire and theft (TPFT) cover has risen by 11.7% in the last quarter and 54.2% over the last 12 months.

Men aged 17-20 years old received the biggest quarterly increases for comprehensive policies at 10.9% while older drivers adding children to their policies also continued to receive above average increases.

The index revealed that inner London experienced the largest regional quarterly increase for comprehensive policies at 11.6%.

EMB partner, Peter Lee, said: “The price corrections that have been taking place over the past year or so have been essential to getting many private motor insurers back on an even keel after poor 2009 results. The scale of bodily injury claims inflation revealed in a recent study of 85% of the private motor market has emphasised the need for price rises.”

He continued: “However, the level of increases is starting to slow down; with each month in the quarter showing flatter price rises than the previous one. Medium-term I think there’s a realisation of the need for additional strategies for dealing with rampant bodily injury costs and managing fraudulent behaviour such as the wider use of risk indicative external data.”

Author: Louise Meeson

Source: Insurance Age | 12 Oct 2010