Category Archives: Insurance
A Guide to Buying Your First Minibus
If you’re planning on buying your first minibus then there are certain things you should be aware of. Minibuses come in various sizes and whether you need a special licence or not will depend on how you plan to use it.
Below is a guide to buying your first minibus that includes where to buy, getting a licence and where to get cover.
Where to buy
If you’re purchasing a minibus for the first time then you have a few options. If you can afford to buy a new minibus then this would obviously be ideal since it’s going to be in the best condition and come with guarantees.
If you decide to buy used then sites like Auto Trader make it very easy to narrow down what you’re looking for by using search options such as engine size, number of passenger seats, year, make, model etc.
When buying used, whether it’s from a garage or private seller, be sure to properly inspect the vehicle for any signs of damage and also make sure all the necessary paperwork, including the service history is present.
Getting a licence
When it comes to the licence you need to drive a minibus it depends on how you plan to use it. If you’re not using it for hire or reward i.e. you’re not receiving any payment from passengers, then you should be able to drive a minibus for up to 16 passengers with your regular driver’s licence.
If you are planning to use your minibus for profit then you’ll need to get a minibus provisional entitlement.
Whatever you use your minibus for you’ll need to meet the following criteria to be able to drive it legally in the UK –
- Be at least 21 years of age
- You’ve had a licence for at least 2 years
- You aren’t using it to tow a trailer
- You meet the correct medical standards if you’re over 70
- It doesn’t exceed more than 4.25 tonnes
Getting insurance
In order to make your minibus road legal you’ll need to get minibus insurance. You can get the same types of cover for a minibus as you would for a car i.e. third party only, third party, fire and theft, fully comprehensive.
When looking for minibus insurance it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a lot of different providers to ensure you get the best deal. You can get minibus insurance at cleangreencars.co.uk
The type of cover you need will depend on what type of minibus you get. For smaller minibuses you’ll need to get 9 seats + minibus insurance cover.…
Things to Consider When Letting Commercial Property
Many landlords stick exclusively to letting residential property, particularly those who are new to it, however there is a lot of money to be made by letting commercial property providing you go about it in the right way.
To help you get started with letting commercial property below are some of the biggest things you need to consider.
Getting the right property
- Type of property – The first thing you need to decide when looking for a commercial property to invest in is the type of building you’re looking for. A lot of people instantly think of office buildings when they think commercial property but there are many other types of property you can get. Smaller commercial buildings that can be used by shop or restaurant owners can be a very wise investment, particularly if they’re in a good location.
- Size – The size of the property is obviously a big consideration. Generally the larger the property is the more you can expect to pay. A multi-story office building will obviously require a more substantial investment then a smaller building on a single floor.
- Location – A good location is vital when investing in commercial property. You need to do as much research as possible and find out what the tenant demand for different types of property is in that particular area. Commercial property can be a big money sink if you’re not able to secure tenants quickly.
Your responsibilities as a commercial landlord
- Health and safety – As a commercial landlord it’s your responsibility to ensure any property you let out is safe. Things like asbestos, fire safety and repairs to the building are all things you need to take responsibility for.
- Gas and electricity – Gas and electrical safety are your responsibility as a commercial landlord too. You will need to have both gas and electric regularly inspected by qualified engineers on a regular basis in order to ensure the building is safe. As far as electrical or gas appliances go – they would be the responsibility of the tenant.
- Maintenance – You will need to make sure the building is properly maintained too. This means if there is any damage to the structure of the building then it falls on you to ensure it’s repaired.
- Fixtures and fittings – Fixtures and fittings can be a tricky area when it comes to commercial property. Any fittings that were already installed when you let out the property will generally be your responsibility whereas those that the tenant fitted after will be theirs. It’s a good idea to make it clear upfront exactly what is your responsibility and what isn’t in the lease. Things like bifold blinds can add a lot of appeal to a property but they also need to be maintained to ensure they’re safe and work properly.
- Insurance – you need to make sure you are insured adequately for for specialist thatched property insurance or standard all risks/standard buildings cover.
A Guide to Buying a Thatched Roof Property
If you’ve ever considered buying a thatched roof property then you’re not alone. A lot of people dream of owning a thatched roof home due to their unique style and charm.
Before you take the plunge though, there are certain things you should be aware of so you can make an informed decision.
Below is some key information. You can also find some excellent info regarding thatched roof property insurance here – http://www.thatchedinsure.co.uk/thatched-roof-insurance-what-you-need-to-know/
Maintenance is key
When you own a thatched roof property, maintenance is extremely important. This means ensuring that the thatch is in good condition as well as having a full electrical inspection carried out. One of the major concerns for thatched roof owners is fire safety. Therefore having a thorough chimney inspection as well as an electrical inspection is key.
Get a lot of quotes for thatching work
It’s not unusual for thatched roof properties to need some work doing on the roof when you first buy them. Thatching work can be expensive and quotes can vary a lot so it’s always recommend that you get quotes from multiple people when you’re looking to have any thatching work carried out.
Consider privacy
If privacy is important to you, then this is certainly something to consider when buying a thatched roof property. Thatched roof homes tend to be in more rural areas but this isn’t always the case. If you want to add extra privacy to a property, then bifold door blinds are an excellent way to do this. When choosing blinds for your bifold doors, you should think about the decor of the property and pick something that works well with it.
Getting the right type of insurance
Due to the specialist skills required to build a thatched roof, it’s necessary to get a special type of policy for a thatched roof property. This is one of the things you must take into account when considering if a thatched roof property is worth the investment. It isn’t just the initial cost of the property you need to consider but also the cost of maintenance and insurance.
If you want to get thatched roof insurance quotes then you can get them quite easily from sites such as ThatchedInsure.
The main types of cover you can get with a thatched roof property insurance are –
- Building cover – Building cover is a fundamental part of any property insurance policy. It will cover your property for structural damage that might occur as a result of fire, flooding or extreme weather conditions. Thatched roofs can be very expensive to rebuild so it’s vital that you have building insurance in place to cover the cost of repairs.
- Contents cover – Contents cover is another type of insurance you can get with a thatched roof property policy. It will cover the contents of your home for theft.
You can also get unoccupied property insurance for a thatched roof property if you’re going to be away for an extended period of 30 days or more.
When looking for a thatched roof property insurance policy you should always make sure to shop around. Quotes can vary a lot so getting a lot of them is very important if you want to save money.…
How to Make Your Motor Trade Premises Secure
If you have a motor trade business then it’s extremely important that you take any measures you can to make your premises as secure as possible. Unfortunately theft and vandalism are always a risk for business owners but there are steps you can take to help reduce these risks.
Below are some of the most important things to consider –
Have your premises assessed
If you want to find out what the most vulnerable parts of your premises are then you should consider having a full assessment by a security firm carried out. They will be able to let you know exactly what areas of your current security set up need improving. This might be something as simple as getting better locks on the doors and windows of the property to investing in electronic security measures such as CCTV and electronic access control.
Invest in security measures
There are two main types of security measures you can invest in for your premises – physical and electronic. Below is an overview of both –
- Electronic security measures – The two main types of electronic security measures are CCTV and electronic alarms. CCTV is incredibly useful for helping to prevent crime at your premises, particularly when used alongside security guards. A good electronic alarm system is also a great investment. When getting an alarm for your premises make sure it conforms to British Standard 4737 specifications and ideally connects to an Alarm Receiving Centre rather than just making a noise.
- Physical security measures – Useful physical security measures include good locks for doors and windows and perimeter control measures such as barbed wire. The latter is particularly useful since it prevents any would-be thieves or vandals from being able to get near your premises out of hours. You might also consider investing in steel grilles for the insides of any windows of your premises.
If your business manages customers details electronically, as a growing number of motor trade businesses now do, then you should also strongly consider investing in IT security measures for your business computers.
Get the right cover
Getting the right insurance might not make your premises more secure but it will ensure that you’re compensated if your business is broken into or stolen from. The best type of cover to get when you want to protect your premises and its contents is combined motor trade insurance.
www.traders-insurance.com traders cover enables you to get combined UK traders insurance quotes from specialist providers very easily.
…Convicted Driver Insurance FAQ
What are the most common driving convictions?
By far the most common driving conviction in the UK is for speeding. This is true for both men and women.
After this common convictions include driving without insurance, being distracted by using a mobile phone and drink driving.
Why do convictions affect the price of car insurance?
The reason that convictions affect the cost of car insurance is because insurance providers perceive drivers with convictions to be greater risk. When calculating the cost of an insurance policy, providers will take many factors into account to determine how likely it is that a person will make a claim on their policy.
What other things affect price?
Some other important factors that affect the cost of car insurance are –
- Age – Age is one of the biggest factors that affects the cost of car insurance. It’s well-known that younger people pay considerably more for car insurance than those over 30. This can seem unfair but it’s simply based on the fact that statistically younger drivers are more likely to be involved in collisions.
- Driving experience – It’s not surprising that newly qualified drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents that people with experience. Therefore the amount of driving experience you have will certainly determine how much your cover costs.
- Value of vehicle – The value of the vehicle you want to insure is a huge factor and for good reason. If you car needs to be replaced, either because it’s written off or stolen, then your insurer will need to pay out. This being the case, the more your car is worth, the more you can expect to pay.
- Where the vehicle is parked – Where your car is parked when you’re not using it another factor that affects cost. People who are able to keep their car parked in a secure garage for example, will pay considerably less than those who park their car on a public street.
Where can I get convicted drivers insurance?
Websites such as http://www.convictioninsure.co.uk/convicted-driver-car-insurance enable you to get quotes from specialist providers of convicted drivers insurance very easily.
What are some ways to save money on convicted drivers insurance?
A couple of good ways to save money on convicted drivers insurance are –
- Get a third party only policy – A third party only policy will provide you with enough cover to drive your vehicle legally and also works out considerably cheaper than a comprehensive policy.
- Pay upfront – Although insurance providers might consider you greater risk if you have a conviction, most should still offer you a good discount if you pay on an annual basis rather than monthly.
…
A Guide to Minibus Insurance
People who own minibuses often use them for their job, as in the case of taxi drivers. However there are many people who own a minibus simply because of the extra room such a vehicle gives them.
If you do own a pleasure use minibus then you’ll need to get the right type of insurance for it. Below is a guide to minibus insurance, including the types of cover you can get and ways to keep costs to a minimum.
Types of cover
- Road risks – Road risks is the basic type of cover you need when insuring any vehicle. You can choose what level of cover you want to get depending on your budget and how much protection you think you need. A third party only policy is the cheapest option but it will not provide any real protection for your own vehicle; rather simply allow you to drive legally. A comprehensive policy is your best option if you want full protection.
- Windscreen repair – Windscreen and glass repair is a very useful type of cover that’ll you certainly be thankful for if the time comes that you need it.
- Breakdown assistance – Breakdown assistance is always important to have when you own a minibus. You may already have breakdown assistance from another company but it’s a good idea to see how much extra it would be to have it included in your policy since you might be able to save money.
Saving money
- Shop around – Getting quotes from many different providers is one of the best ways to save money on minibus insurance. Sites such as Insure Minibus make the process of getting quotes incredibly quick and simple.
- Make your vehicle secure – Making your minibus as secure as possible is a great way to save money on insurance. In addition to installing a tracking device and immobiliser, you should also make sure to park your minibus safely when it’s not being used.
- Pay annually – If you can afford to pay for your insurance annually rather than monthly then you’ll be able to make a decent saving on the overall cost.