Christmas Opening Hours

The office opening hours will be as follows:

Friday 23rd December – 9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday 24 December – Closed
Monday 26th December – Monday 2nd January – Closed
Tuesday 3rd January – Normal hours resume –  9.00am – 5.00pm

We would like to take this opportunity to Wish you a Very Merry Christmas!!

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Driving whilst using a Mobile Phone

Using a mobile phone, sat nav or any similar device whilst driving means that the driver’s attention is distracted from the road.

The facts

•  Studies show that drivers using a hands-free or handheld mobile phone are slower at recognising and reacting to hazards.  Even careful drivers can be distracted by a call or text – and a split-second lapse in concentration could result in a crash.

The law

• It’s illegal to use a handheld mobile when driving.
• This includes using your mobile phone to follow a map, read a text or check social media. This applies even if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.
• You can only use a handheld phone if you are safely parked or need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop.
• If you’re caught using a handheld phone while driving, you’ll get 3 penalty points on your licence and a fine of £100. Points on your licence will result in higher insurance costs.
• If you get just 6 points in the first two years after passing your test, you will lose your licence.
• You may use a hands-free phone while driving but you can still be prosecuted if you’re not in proper control of your vehicle. The penalties are same as being caught using a handheld phone.
• The penalties for driving carelessly or dangerously when using a handheld or hands-free phone can include disqualification, a large fine and up to two years imprisonment.

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Insurance Premium Tax – Raised to 10%

Millions of households across the country will see their insurance bills rise as the Chancellor George Osborne confirmed in the budget a rise from 9.5% to 10% in insurance premium tax.

Prices will rise from 1st October this year and it will be the second time in a year the tax has been increased, with the first hike from 6% to 9.5% introduced on 1st November 2015.

The rise is smaller than the 3% predicted and the money raised will fund investment in flood defence.

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NCB Protection Statement

NCB protection does not protect the overall price of your insurance policy. The price of your insurance policy may increase following an accident even if you were not at fault.

NCB protection allows you to make one or more claims before your number of no claims bonus years falls.

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Travel Insurance

Summer has apparently arrived so it’s that time of year when everyone is either booking holidays or going on holiday, so please give us a call to receive a free no obligation quote to insure all you holiday essentials.

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Preparing for Winter Driving & Staying Safe

Keeping your vehicle well maintained is important all year round, but doubly so in winter. For example, worn tyres won’t hold the road in wet conditions as well as those with a good, deep tread.

Make sure all exterior lights are working correctly and that windscreen wiper blades are in good condition. Check the oil, coolant and washer fluid levels. And, don’t leave home on that long trip over lonely country roads without enough fuel for the journey.

The RAC recommend you gather a few items at the start of the winter season and keep them in your car – just in case.

Below are items that should be in your emergency kit:

Ice scraper and de-icer
Torch and spare batteries – or a wind-up torch
Warm clothes and blankets – for you and all passengers
Boots
First aid kit
Jump start cables
Food and a warm drink in a thermos
Shovel
Reflective warning sign
Road atlas
Sunglasses – the glare off the snow can be dazzling
Mobile phone charger

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Budget 2015: Insurance Premium Tax Increase

One of the less anticipated moves in the Budget this year was the Chancellor’s raid on insurance premium tax, which will be raised this November from 6% to 9.5%

The new rate will hit policies ranging from household insurance to motor insurance.  Travel insurance is already taxed at a higher 20% rate, so this will not be affected.

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