Airsports Insurance Bureau would like you to join us in congratulating two internal promotions.
Jenna Stronach has been promoted to the role of Renewals Manager. Jenna will run the department, looking after our ever growing motor, home, travel and commercial policyholders needs, when due for renewal.
Megan Greer has joined the Administration Team as Administration Manager, with a team reporting to her. This role will also assist the development of our sales team and encompasses all press releases and social media.
Both roles will report to our Managing Director and will continue the development of our insurer relations, as well as the pursuit of exceeding expectation, creating the best possible client experience.
Kirby De-Gray Birch said: “Jenna has been an asset to the business for a long time and knows lots of our clients. She’s led the new sales for our high net worth clients and has a good understanding of our diverse products. Megan has been with us for many years too and has a natural enthusiasm for looking after clients. Managing people and their work loads will be an exciting challenge for both ladies. I’m confident they will both be a success, further enhancing the client’s experience when dealing with our business”.
If your insurance is due for renewal with us and you want to get in touch, Jenna and her team can be contacted on 02380 268351 or email them at renewals@aib.co.uk
Likewise, if you have a query with your existing policy, Megan’s team can be contacted on 02380 268351 or email info@aib.co.uk
Today’s car of the week is this beautiful example of a 1991Nissan GT-R we recently insured.
This hand built vehicle was manufactured in Japan and imported as a grey import and at the time, was one of the fastest accelerating production four-seaters.
Mr D was kind enough to take a policy with us which enjoyed the benefits of both agreed value and salvage retention. Optional classic car breakdown was available at £32.55
Thanks for sharing Mr D. If you would like to share your car insured with us please call the office on 02380 268351 – we love checking out great cars!
AIB warmly welcomes Jordan Gibbons to our Sales team. Jordan will be working closely with Sales Director, Kirby De Gray Birch, developing all aspects of a long established, fast growing insurance broker.
Whitely born and bred Jordan previously worked in the motor industry for a shipping company, dealing with the import and export of motor vehicles. This has given him a sound grounding in customer service to deal with our range of products from motor and home insurance, through to travel and commercial client’s needs. If you need motor insurance please give Jordan and the team a call: 02380 268351
FAST FACTS:
Not only a dab hand with a pair of scissors and a set of clippers (he cuts his own hair), Jordan also has a sound understanding of mechanics, having built his own motorcycle from scratch – a two stroke Derbi Senda. Multi skilled and very talented! A real petrol head, Jordan drives an Audi S5 which he has modified and remapped to 450bhp. Last year, he drove her on a road trip of a lifetime to Amsterdam.
WE SAY:
“Jordan joins an exciting team and is quickly learning all aspects of the role. With a natural love and knowledge of cars, especially modified, he enjoys chatting to our clients and has already insured members of his family and a couple of friends who are extremely pleased with his service and our product.”
At AIB we pride ourselves on the quality of our staff: their great personalities, extensive knowledge of the market and their highly professional approach to work. They build solid and long lasting relationships with both our clients and insurer partners, backed by our full encouragement and resource, ensuring they reach their fullest potential.
Despite the challenges of this past year, AIB continues to grow rapidly. We are currently looking for additional like-minded sales and customer service staff. If you want to pursue a rewarding career in a satisfying but demanding environment, or know someone who does, please send us your CV: info@aib.co.uk
Today’s car of the week is this stunning McLaren 570 Spider that Murray in our office arranged cover for recently.
The 570S is the only car in its segment that comes with an entirely carbon fiber chassis, which weighs only 165lbs and the 570s was the first McLaren to come with a vanity mirror.
Murray arranged a policy that included UK breakdown including Home Assist, Legal Expenses, Enhanced Courtesy Car cover and Class one business use.
Thank you Mr P for allowing us to share the photographs of your beautiful car!
If you own a McLaren or a similar performance vehicle and need quality motor insurance please call Murray and the team on 02380 26831.
AIB are delighted to announce that Clare Beale has joined the administration department, headed by Megan Greer and will learn every aspect of the role within our busy insurance brokers. Our rapidly growing Administration Department is going from strength to strength right now, ensuring the smooth operation of our day to day, dedicated services.
Clare was born and bred just outside Liverpool and attended Mill Lane Comprehensive School in Ellesmere Port. Clare worked for many years at David Lloyd as a fitness instructor. Next came the fantastic opportunity to work on cruise ships as a Fitness Director for three years, travelling around the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska. Clare eventually moved to Southampton and worked at P&O cruises for 20 years, where she met her future husband Paul and had three amazing boys.
FAST FACTS:
Clare once dated a famous pop star for five years! We couldn’t possibly reveal his identity but if you took 5, 6, 7, 8 ‘Steps’ to the left, it would be a ‘Tragedy’ if you couldn’t guess the group and artist.
Gary Barlow obsessed Clare was thrilled when the opportunity arose to briefly meet the star and sit on his lap. Lucky Clare! Whilst not particularly accident prone, she also once fell into Vernon Kay’s dressing room, luckily timed with Vernon catching her, mid fall. Lucky Vernon!
NOT SO FUN FACTS:
She once decided to have a BBQ in the New Forrest. When it started to rain the smart witted Clare decided to put the disposable BBQ in the boot of the car to keep her sausages dry which led to the car being set on fire!
WE SAY:
Megan Greer, Administration Manager says: ”Clare has made a fantastic start already and has thrown herself into the role, picking the job up very quickly. Her solid background in cruise liner customer care has clearly given her the ability and skill to communicate very well with our varied and valued client base.
At AIB, we pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and the professional relationships we are able to develop. We nurture and encourage our team to reach their full potential, giving them the ongoing training, tools and resources for a rewarding career in a satisfying but demanding environment.
After a very strange, uncertain few months in a quieter world in lockdown, we are now seeing a slow return to normality. One thing that has remained certain however, is the need to keep your vehicle taxed, insured and properly maintained.
If you have been driving less and it looks like your vehicle use is still going to be much reduced, we have come up with a few tips and guidance points to help you navigate your way through a post-lockdown gear shift.
WHAT CHANGES SHOULD I FLAG UP WITH MY INSURANCE?
THE DAILY COMMUTE
Yes, you may be enduring or indeed loving, working from home at the moment. Trying to juggle home schooling or conducting business meetings over video calls (wearing business attire from the waist up of course) might mean your weekly commute has shrunk. Whilst saying a temporary goodbye to traffic jams and the daily grind is welcome, if your insurance covers SDPC (social, domestic, pleasure and commuting) you may want to call us if your vehicle use is going to change.
VEHICLE PARKING
Let us know if you are going to be keeping your vehicle somewhere different to that specified on your policy.
ANNUAL MILEAGE
Again, let us know if your anticipated mileage for the year is going to be much lower.
TO SORN OR NOT TO SORN, THAT… IS THE QUESTION…
If the pandemic means you’re not going to drive your car at all, you might want to consider taking it off the road altogether. A SORN is a Statutory Off Road Notification. Once a car has been declared as SORN, it must not be driven or even parked on a public road. You will need to keep your car on your driveway, in a garage or on private land. Otherwise, if you intend to drive your car at any time, even if it’s just to the local shop to get those all essential home working items (basically, tea/coffee/biscuits and lots of it), then usual rules apply: pay your vehicles tax, either through the Government portal – you will need the reference number from your vehicle tax reminder form (V11), or the vehicle code from your V5C or green ‘new keeper’ slip.Or pay at your local Post office.
BREAKDOWNS
AIB offer 3 levels of breakdown cover, To speak to one of our team you can call us on 02380 268351 for a competitive, tailored quote.
Both the AA and RAC have made it clear they are fully operational. By strictly following government and public health advice they have adapted their ways of working, including social distancing and the use of PPE. In the event of your vehicle needing to be towed, you can now travel safely within their vehicles again, however they are encouraging drivers to always carry a face covering. If you are self isolating/shielding or come into contact with the virus, bottom line, let the company know when you call them and they will do their upmost to get you back on the road as quickly as possible, armed with the correct knowledge of your situation.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE, POST LOCKDOWN
If you haven’t driven for a while during lockdown, you may want to familiarise yourself with driving again on quieter roads that you know well before attempting a longer trip. Be aware of other road users, particularly the increase in cyclists and walkers. Expect possible road modifications in cities to accommodate more cyclists or widening of pavements to accommodate social distancing and bus/cycle corridors.
Reassure yourself that your car is in good working order after being used less. MOTs due from 30th March 2020 have been given a 6 month extension but are still expected to be kept in a roadworthy condition. Giving your vehicle some TLC and carrying out some routine checks will ensure you feel confident about it’s safety. Here are some quick tips on what to check.
STAY HYDRATED
Ensure your car operates to the best of its ability by checking on it’s essential fluids: brake fluid, coolant, oil and windscreen wash.
RUBBER SOUL
Keep on top of the tread and condition of your tyres. There should be no cuts, or cracking visible and they should have at least 2mm of tread as the legal limit is 1.6mm. If you haven’t driven for a while, check your tyre pressures as it’s likely they will have gone down somewhat over time. Under inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption and affect braking performance.
BATTERY POWER
To ensure your battery doesn’t go flat through lack of use, get into the habit of periodically starting the engine and leaving it running for a little while. Another option to consider is investing in a trickle charger to keep your battery topped up. A trickle charger is a car battery charger designed to be left on a car for a long period of time to re-charge the battery. You would need proximity to a mains supply to use one so consider this before purchasing from a range of options online. Keep some jumpstart cables in your car in case of a flat battery whilst out and about.
LIGHT THE WAY
Part of any vehicle’s basic checks include the lights. Check your high beams, dipped and indicators and buy bulbs to replace them if any are out. If possible, ask someone to help you, including checking the brake lights are active, or park in front of a reflective surface such as a window, to see for yourself.
PUT THE BRAKES ON
Try your brakes gently before setting off to ensure they’re working properly. Whilst driving, listen for any crunching or grinding noises which may indicate corrosion.
DRIVING SOMEONE ELSE’S VEHICLE
You may have elderly parents, relatives or friends, or acquaintances that are vulnerable or high risk and are self isolating, or cautious about making their first foray back to the shops.
They ask you to do their shopping. You scan their shopping lists and then have to make that all important decision on Waitrose or Aldi… can you get away with a quick trip to the local corner shop… how far are you prepared to drive to find that rare type of spice they simply must have for their Friday stay-at-home curry recipe… however far you intend to go, if you’re not listed as a named driver on someone else’s policy, you can only drive their vehicle if you have their permission. You’ll also need a comprehensive insurance policy which includes ‘driving other cars’ (DOC), giving you the minimum legal standard of insurance (third party cover) in emergency situations only.
You could face strict penalties if you’re caught using another person’s vehicle without insurance or the owner’s permission so don’t risk it!
FILLING UP
Additional safeguarding whilst filling up has been recommended by Public Health England. Despite clarifying that motorists are at no greater risk of getting coronavirus from a pump than handling any other hard object, it’s wise to wear gloves and wash your hands after using the pumps to lessen any potential risks.
Individual fuel retailers are free to enforce their own rules on their forecourts, including use of face coverings so just be aware when you pop into the shop for that much needed travel snack and drink.
You can also pay by contactless at many pumps around the country, meaning you don’t have to go into the store itself and the limit on card use has been upped to £45.
Due to continued supersonic growth and expansion this past year, the Airsports Insurance Bureau team are very pleased to welcome Scott Paddington as our new Insurance Consultant as part of the Sales team. Scott will be responsible for ensuring each and every one of our valued clients get the very best in dedication and service.
Scott is a local lad, born and bred in Chandlers Ford and attended Toynbee School. Previously, he worked within the sales department at Snows Motor Group. Prior to that, he worked at both the Hendy Group and Abbey Park Cars. Scott has many transferable skills and possesses a natural interest in all vehicle types. We are confident he will be a valued asset to our team.
FAST FACTS:
Scott was born on the same day as his brother, 8 years apart!
Scott’s claim to fame is that the previous owner of his home address was former Southampton, Chelsea and Republic of Ireland International footballer, Andy Townsend. Andy is now a well known sports panellist and commentator.
WE SAY:
“Scott’s joined us recently and hit the ground running. His knowledge of cars is very apparent which compliments his experience and enthusiasm in giving our clients the best quality of service. He’s already insured a couple of his friends and family who are now happy customers of AIB”
Lotus is launching a new Certificate of Provenance programme, revealing the first recipient as a stunning and celebrated Turbo Esprit that was the final ‘company car’ of Lotus founder Colin Chapman.
Vehicle provenance documents and highly desirable Lotus collectables now available to Lotus owners worldwide
First recipient is a stunning 1981 Turbo Esprit, authenticated as Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s last ‘company car’
UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher also drove it, further increasing its provenance
Recently acquired by Lotus, the Esprit will be restored and join the company’s collection
The 1981 model, which wasalso driven by UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during a visit to Norfolk, has recently been acquired by Lotus. Following a sympathetic restoration it will join the company’s collection.
The new Certificate of Provenance is designed to appeal to owners of Lotus cars from any era. They could buy one for themselves or receive it as a gift from friends or family. It is delivered in a distinctive ‘For The Drivers’ Lotus presentation box, which contains:
The Certificate of Provenance – printed on premium paper, this provides a summary of the car’s details including the VIN, paint colour and specification. The certificate also notes the date on which the car completed its production at the Hethel factory and was passed to the Lotus sales team.
The Build Specification Letter – drafted using detailed vehicle information from the Lotus archive*, this document provides more in-depth information about the car, including its engine, transmission, standard features and optional extras.
A personalised letter to the customer signed by Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars, thanking them for their purchase and updating them on the transformation which is taking place at Lotus.
The three documents are presented in a simple black envelope placed inside the presentation box. Beneath it is a selection of Lotus collectables, including an aluminium plaque engraved with the owner’s name and information from the Certificate of Provenance; a leather Lotus keyring; a carbon fibre bookmark featuring the brand’s nine most significant motorsport laurels; a presentation tin of four badges; and a Lotus ink pen.
The Certificate of Provenance is available worldwide through Lotus retailers. In the UK it costs £170 + postage. Prices in other markets may vary.
The 1981 Lotus Turbo Esprit has the UK registration plate UVF 464X and was first registered to Lotus on 1 August of that year. Its own Lotus Certificate of Provenance reveals it was allocated to company founder Colin Chapman for his exclusive use. Following Chapman’s death in December 1982, it was sold by Lotus in July 1983 and has been in private hands ever since, covering just 11,000 miles and regularly maintained.
Finished in metallic Silver Diamond paint with ‘Turbo Esprit’ decals, the factory-fitted optional extras include a full red leather interior, air-conditioning and a Panasonic audio system integrated into the headliner.
However, the specification is completely unique as it has several features added at the request of Chapman to improve his own driving comfort and enjoyment. These include power steering – it was the first Esprit ever to have this technology – plus modified and lowered suspension, modified brakes and BBS Mahle lattice alloy wheels.
On 5 August 1981 the car was used by Chapman to promote the latest Lotus range to the then UK Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, when she toured Norfolk. After landing at Norwich Airport and talking to Chapman, she sat behind the wheel and drove it round the site’s private roads. Local media reported that she had said: “I was tempted to drive away in it.”
Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars, commented: “What better way to launch our Certificate of Provenance than by showing how it has validated the celebrated history of an iconic and unique Turbo Esprit. The Lotus archive is a fully catalogued database of information and can provide a wealth of insightful facts on any Lotus car from any era. It’s the perfect gift for a Lotus owner anywhere in the world.”
Speaking about the unique Turbo Esprit, he added: “This is an iconic and unique car from the Lotus back catalogue, personalised by our founder Colin Chapman and with a truly fascinating provenance. It deserves its place in our collection and we’re looking forward to showing it off.”
In a world of headlines reserved for the powerhouse GT2, GT3, RS, Turbo and Turbo S models,how do you make that bread and butter 911 Carrera special, you call Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. The all-new 2020 Porsche 911 (Generation 992) Targa 4S Heritage Design is the first of 4 classic-inspired special editions and announces the expansion of Porsche’s ‘bespoke tailoring’ Exclusive Manufaktur division.
The expansion of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur follows on from the global success of the limited-edition 911 (Generation 991) Speedster Heritage Design, which since its launch have been trading at upwards of £300k (£200k list price). The Speedster’s Heritage Design concept provided a perfect testbed for how the design features would work on Porsche fans and customers. Porsche are planning 4 special editions from Exclusive Manufaktur over the course of the 992-generation 911’s lifetime. These will appear on different 911 variants and celebrating different designs from the 911’s history, blending modern 911 technology with design elements of the past.
The 992 Targa was the perfect model with its retro Targa styling to be the first Heritage Design production model. It is launched with details from the 50s and 60s, with an exclusive Cherry Red paintwork, inspired by the early shades of the Classic 50’s Porsche 356. The Porsche logo is in its old font and brake callipers in black, as back in the 50sthere weren’t any red or yellow brake callipers. A major design feature is the historical white livery and lollipop number stickers on the doors, where customers can specify any numbers. The Heritage Design continues into the interior with red leather and corduroy seats, as used in the 356, along with interior and exterior parts in gold trim as they once were. A unique badge on the rear lid has been reintroduced, which were given back in the day to 356 owners who had reached 100,000km in their cars.
The 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design is limited to 992 global units, which is the eighth-generation 911’s internal designation. UK prices start from £136,643, with UK deliveries expected to start in the autumn. It is £26,918 more than a standard Targa 4S, with customer likely to add a sizeable number of additional cost options extras to their final specifications. It shares the same mechanical unchanged specification from the Targa 4S’s chassis and powertrain, paired with either the eight-speed PDK or seven-speed manual transmission. Deploying it’s 444bhp 3-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine and all-wheel-drive system to 189mph and a 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds.
The Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur team expect the future rollout of these bespoke models to be up to two years before the next car. Porsche Exclusive stands for passion and craftsmanship, so keeping these models exclusive is key to that strategy. The future range expected to look back at the 60s, 70s and 80s based on other 911 variants. These special editions appeal to customers who are fascinated by Porsche’s rich heritage, its classic design features and want these in modern cars. This might also inspire people who have not considered a Porsche 911 with this heritage style that brings back something cool from the past.
We interviewed Kirby from AIB Insurance, a motorhome, campervan and RV specialist to talk about the latest happenings in the world of insurance:
Are you seeing anything interesting with Motorhome and Camper claims?
The last 24 months have been challenging times for insurers with motorhome, RV’s and camper thefts on the increase. Take North Wales for example – police recently revealed that 30 vehicles worth over a million pounds had been stolen over the past 16 months. They believe thieves in that area were mainly targeting Fiat Ducato and Peugeot Boxer motorhomes using technology widely available on the Internet to override the manufacturer’s security measures that included the electronic immobiliser.
On a national basis though, Ford continues to be the vehicle of choice for most thieves. Our insurance partner Ageas Insurance tells me Ford manufactured motorhomes make up less than 6% of their motorhome book but the theft rate is ridiculously high. There is no pattern as to where the motorhomes are kept, how long they have been owned or the level of security measures as they’ve seen a variety of scenarios. They have had over £350,000 worth of Fords stolen last year alone which is why they took the decision to work out what model ranges/years of manufacture were affected and decline them.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), motor theft claims have increased by 20% in 2019 and motor theft claims paid by insurers in the first quarter of this year were at their highest for any quarter since 2012 with a payment made relating to vehicle crime every eight minutes. The ABI claims that the increase is in part being driven by keyless car crime whereby hi-tech criminals are able to bypass keyless technology in as little as 20 seconds. This would certainly seem to be the case with a large number of motorhome thefts as an increasing number are being stolen when they are parked on driveways.
Has this seen the cost of insurance increase?
Historically, motorhomes have been rated on three main factors: year, engine size and value (ignoring left hand drives, imports and modified vehicles etc.). Over the last 12 months, three major motorhome insurers, Aviva, Ageas and Markerstudy have taken the unusual steps to load the premium further or even decline specific years of manufacturer, especially Ford.
Generally, motorhome and campervan insurance rates have remained stagnant apart from specific manufacturers. DIY conversions tend to cost more to insure than a coach built one.
So how can owners prevent a vehicle being stolen?
If your motorhome is stolen, having the right insurance policy in place will mean that you can at least have the peace of mind of knowing that you’ll be compensated financially for your loss. However, an insurance payout can never compensate you for the inconvenience and disruption that vehicle theft causes.
The good news is that most theft is opportunistic and thieves generally don’t like to work too hard. So, if they see a motorhome fitted with wheel locks, steering or handbrake locks or wheel clamps, it may be enough to put them off. Of course, you can go further by installing an alarm, immobiliser, a tracking device or even installing PIR lights trained on your parking space that illuminate when they sense movement.
What should people look out for when insuring a motorhome, RV or campervan?
It is vital, that you take out appropriate motorhome insurance and select a policy that will cover all your needs.
Motorhome insurance is not like car insurance, it requires specialist knowledge and as such, you should speak to a specialist motorhome insurance provider. Most specialists will provide additional European cover, additional contents cover and cover for gas cylinders, generators and awnings.
We would encourage you to purchase legal expenses as, if you find yourself in a dispute, legal fees can be expensive. Likewise, breakdown cover can be challenging as non-specialist providers may place a height, length or weight restriction on the vehicle they cover.
Another thing to mention when buying cover, is the level of windscreen glass cover that the specific policy your purchasing provides. Many insurers restrict the windscreen cover to £500-£1000 but an owner of an A-Class could be left short and should seek insurers that provide unlimited glass cover.
The motorhome market continues to grow especially relating to the sale of higher value models that cost over £100,000 and that represents a different risk for insurers if they go missing.
What is happening in the classic car world – are vehicles still going up in value?
The classic vehicle market is renowned for its stability and consistency and the VW campervan is a prime example of that. Over the past 10 years, classic vehicle values have been consistently going up, outperforming just about everything I can think of apart from vintage wine. I’d argue that classic vehicles are a better investment here too as it’s possible to use them without instantly destroying their value!
That said, at the top end of the market such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and the like, it looks as though we’re finally seeing the pace slowing and interest levels cooling.
One element of this could be uncertainty. When it comes to high value classics, it’s a global market. Investors may simply be less prepared to spend big at a time of trade wars and uncertain future trading arrangements.
The classic vehicle market is forever evolving as new cars become classics as each year passes.
What’s your favourite classic within the motorhome and campervan arena?
I love the 1967 BMC Princess – it looks bonkers. Whilst it looks like a DIY conversion, it was actually coach-built on a Vanden Plas Princess chassis but was unusually modern for it’s time enjoying power steering and an automatic transmission. Another favourite would be the VW T25 hightop campervan. Again, it looks so cool and I can imagine myself sitting in it with a hot cup of tea on a cold day looking out over the ocean.
AIB Launch Classic Car Offering
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