News

A Novel Way Of Commuting To Work

Most of us will commute to work either by driving our cars, riding our motorbikes or catching a train or bus. If you are feeling more energetic, you may be tempted to get on your bicycle and start pedaling.

However, Paul Cox from Wales, weather permitting, uses another novel form of transport – a paramotor. This is a powered paraglider that is launched by foot. A small engine is used to run the propeller that is strapped to the person’s back with the assistance of a frame and harness accompanied by a paraglider wing that is fairly similar to a parachute. paramotor insurance

Paul, 51, who is married with two teenage children and works as a Royal Navy overseer travels from his home in Gwalchmai in North Wales to his place of work at Holyhead Boatyard on Anglesey– a distance of about 10 miles. In the right weather conditions it takes him about 30 minutes.

He became interested in paramotoring on a trip to Spain where he subsequently trained to fly one. He then spent in the region of £8,000 on the necessary equipment and then started to commute to work using the paramotor. Prior to taking off, he must obtain permission to do so by RAF Valley’s 22 squadron that is located around Barry.

Whilst making the trip he will even take videos of his journeys. Once he lands at his workplace he just packs everything neatly away before venturing into the office. He has even been as high as 7,500 feet in the vicinity of Mount Snowdon.

One thing is for certain, once in the air he will not get held up by any commuter traffic that the rest of us frequently encounter. He is combining something that he obviously loves to do with an extremely interesting mode of commuter transport.

In this respect, we would love to hear from our customers about any other unusual ways that they get to work each day. It is also worth noting that AIB Insurance are specialist insurance brokers that can arrange cover for various forms of aerial activity so why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 to discuss your requirements.

Overseas Holiday Money Saving Tips

In two to three months time you may well be breaking up from work to enjoy a couple of weeks holiday in a far off exotic destination with your family. If so, we thought that you might find the following tips on how you may be able to save yourself some money of benefit.

Finding a flight

If you are arranging your holiday independently, as a lot of people do these days, you will need to book the flight tickets. The sooner that you can do this the better because, as a general rule, as the seats on a plane start to fill up the cost of them rises.

As for finding a flight, why not try a website like Skyscanner as they provide access to numerous airlines, including budget ones, flying from many airports in the UK. It is like a price comparison site so you can see the different prices that each airline charges and you may be able to obtain a fantastic deal.

Hotels

You can register for free on the likes of SecretEscapes’s website that provides access to various hotels around the world often at hugely discounted rates.

Another option is to take advantage of “top secret hotel” offers on the likes of Lastminute.com where big reductions in room rates may be offered on luxury hotels although you will not be told the name of the hotel until you have made and paid for the booking.

Another option is to ring a hotel direct and try to negotiate a reduction in the room rate. You may be surprised at how often they will do this. Prior to doing so, make sure that your home phone provider has put you onto a package offering cheaper international calls for a small monthly fee to help make it financially viable.

Foreign currency

Avoid buying your foreign currency at foreign exchange outlets at the airport as the exchange rate is possibly going to be worse than if you bought it at an outlet in the town or city of where you live.

Baggage allowance

Check the weight of your luggage before leaving home as airlines charge a substantial additional fee if you exceed the weight allowance.

Car hire

Normally, it is cheaper to book your car hire well in advance rather than at the car hirer’s desk on the day of arrival at your destination airport.

Travel accessories

Avoid buying travel accessories such as adaptor plugs at airport departure shops as they are likely to cost more than if you had purchased them in a local high street retail outlet.

Mobile phones/iPads

Let your mobile phone provider know that you are going on holiday overseas as they may offer a suitable package. Use your mobile sparingly, if at all, whilst abroad in view of potentially high charges and make sure that it is switched off when not being used as well as turning off the data roaming facility.

Bring sandwiches

You can pack a few rounds of sandwiches to eat on board the plane to avoid paying the high charges that some airlines make for providing food.

We hope that you have found the above of benefit.

One final point – you will require quality travel insurance. So, why not get in touch with a member of the friendly, knowledgeable team here at our Eastleigh office for a quote by ringing 02380 268 351.

Bill Wyman, Former Rolling Stones Member, To Auction Classic Cars

If you are a fan of the Rolling Stones and a lover of classic cars then you may not want to miss the opportunity to bid for a couple of cars that are coming up for auction on 26th June 2015 at Bonhams Festival of Speed Sale that takes place in Goodwood, Chichester. That is because Bill Wyman the ex-bass player with the above band is selling two classic vehicles.

The cars in question are a 1966 Mercedes-Benz 250 S and a 1971 Citroen Maserati SM. The former car is forecast to fetch between £20,000 to £25,000 and the later, with its V-6 engine and self-leveling suspension, anything from £35,000 to £40,000.

Bill Wyman, who is now 78 years of age, played the bass guitar for the famous Rolling Stones between 1962 to 1993. In 1997, he set up his own band by the name of Bill Wyman Rhythm Kings and he has recently recorded and released his first solo album for thirty-three years called Back to Basics.

He loved to drive these cars rather than just keep them locked away and they were used on many a trip to recording studios in the UK and to some other countries in Europe. For instance, the Mercedes-Benz was driven in various parts of England including London where, amongst many places, he drove it to the Olympic Studios that was the location for making the records Let It Bleed and Beggars Banquet. Interestingly, when he wanted blacked-out windows on the car, he had to pay in the region of £350 towards the research costs in respect of how to produce them. The car was restored in 1997 when the tinted windows were removed.

Between 1971 and 1982. He resided in Vence in the delightful South of France and drove the Citroen Maserati all the way to Paris where the band recorded albums such as Tattoo You and Some Girls. He also drove the vehicle to Portofino in Italy, Switzerland and Spain.

So, if you are considering investing in one or even a couple of classic cars with some history behind them why not get along to the sale and consider bidding. It will be interesting to see if they achieve a higher than normal price in view of the connection with their famous rock-star owner.

Will DB Cooper’s Hijacking Case Ever Be Solved?

A chap who went by the name of DB Cooper, who is also referred to as Dan Cooper, bought a ticket for $20 to fly on a Northwest Airlines jetliner 727 from Portland to Seattle on the 24th November 1971. Wearing sunglasses, he took his seat on the plane along with a number of other passengers. He then started to smoke a cigarette and drink a glass of whisky.

Then he passed a note to a member of the flight crew that said: –

“ I have a bomb in my briefcase. I will use it if necessary. I want you to sit next to me. You are being hijacked”.

He demanded $200,000 and four parachutes and then agreed to release 36 passengers at Seattle. Having landed at Seattle, the passengers were released and the FBI authorized the payment of the ransom money and the handing over of the parachutes.

Then, remaining calm at all times, Dan Cooper ordered the captain to take off and fly towards Mexico with the specific request that the plane fly at less than 10,000 feet above sea level and at the minimum speed possible to keep the plane in the air. The cabin was also unpressurized at his request.

It then became apparent why he had asked for the parachutes as, whilst the plane was flying in the vicinity of Mount St. Helens located in southwest Washington, he jumped from the plane using the rear exit that he had asked to be left open wearing one of the parachutes.

Despite extensive searches being carried out, Mr Cooper was never seen again. However, in 1980, a young child who was walking close to the Columbia River came upon a total of $5,800 in $20 notes. It was some of the ransom money.

Many believe that Dan Cooper never survived what may well have proved to be a difficult jump into mountainous terrain but it remains a mystery as to why the body has never been recovered or any more of the money. One of the parachutes is on display in a museum.

It would appear that this hijacking is unlikely to be solved but you know what they say: “Never say never”!

Hiscox Insurance Added To Panel

We are extremely pleased to welcome Hiscox to our panel of insurers thus adding another highly respected company to our ever-growing team of specialist insurance companies that we can utilize to help source the most suitable products for our valued clients.

You can trace the beginning of this company as far back as 1901 since which time it has grown in size and is now represented globally. It is a specialist insurer for both personal and commercial risks.

The company has a comprehensive range of competitively priced tailor made insurance products. It is our intention to consider Hiscox’s policies for our high net worth customers who are seeking private and motor fleet car insurance for executive vehicles as well as for performance car insurance as they are renowned for providing premium motor insurance. For instance, it provides fully comprehensive cover for your car, no matter what car you are driving and can arrange for repairs to be carried out at your chosen garage.

During our dealings with it, its staff has provided an outstanding level of service and professionalism throughout the whole process from providing a quotation, setting up the policy and in the event of a claim being made. In fact, on the later point, you will be pleased to hear that, for the period covering 3 months between 1st November 2014 to 31st January 2015, an impressive 215 out of 216 customers (99.54%) that had to make a claim on their home insurance policy through Hiscox would have been pleased to recommend them to their family and friends. We are sure that you will agree that is a high percentage.

For more information about Hiscox, why not visit its website at www.hiscox.co.uk where you can find out even more about it and its products.

Did You Attend The “Secret Supercar Meet”?

It is rare that you come across one supercar on the roads here in the UK these days so the prospect of seeing in the region of 200 high-performance supercars all at the same time would get anyone that is interested in such modes of transport extremely excited.

Well that is exactly what happened on Sunday 29th March 2015 at an airfield in Leicestershire. The Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome and Proving Ground was the location for the “Secret Supercar Meet” – an exclusive event that was by invitation only for participants.

Despite the weather being somewhat unpleasant on the day of this great event, with pouring rain and muddy conditions, the invited owners turned up to proudly display their supercars before a well-attended occasion.

Had you attended you would have had the pleasure of viewing extremely sought after cars that were estimated to be worth over £20 million.

There were so many different models including one of just five Bugatti Veyron Super Sport World Record Edition cars that were ever built. Other fantastic cars included the likes of a Porsche 918 Spyder, a Mercedes AMG 300SL that had been built for the Sultan of Brunei and a Ferrari LaFerrari. It was also great to see a Pagani Zonda S Roadster on display as there was only eight right-hand drive ones constructed. You could also have had the great pleasure of seeing one of only three Ford GT 720 Mirage’s ever built. Oliver Webb, who is a Le Mans Champion, was driving a BAC Mono. You would have been able to drool over a Lamborghini Aventador that is estimated to be worth in the region of £260,000. For any classic car fans there was a Mercedez-Benz 300SL on the tarmac.

The event was kindly arranged by Supercar Driver that is an owners club for such vehicles. You will be pleased to read that almost £5,000 was raised for the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice that provides help to youngsters.

Event organiser Adam Thorby, owner of Supercar Driver, commented: “The turnout from members was staggering considering the forecast which was heavy rain all day. “You would be lucky to see any one of those cars out in the height of summer, let alone the full group in less than ideal conditions.

“It is testament to our members who had committed to the event and have bought their cars to use them, whatever the weather.” While these high-performance cars would normally stay firmly inside the garage in such treacherous weather conditions, the owners were happy to turn out despite the rain to raise nearly £5,000 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospital.

Now, if you were not able to get along to this year’s event, don’t worry as one is normally held each year so hopefully you will be able to go to the one in 2016.

Here at AIB we specialise insuring cars like the ones mentioned above. For an instant insurance quote on your Bugatti, Ferrari, Porsche, Zonda or Aston Martin call our team now for an instant quote and cover on 02380 268351.

AIB Seek Office Administrator to Join our Team

AIB are currently looking to recruit a office administrator to work in our busy Eastleigh office based in Leigh Road.

Your role within AIB:

As a fast growing insurance broker we are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our team in our new offices near FlemingPark. The position is a full time administration role that will also involve some basic telephone work. Applicants must be able to file, deal with post, data entry, send letters and emails to clients and insurers, answer the telephone as well as general office duties.

We will give the successful individual every opportunity to reach their full potential and a foot in the door within the insurance industry. The right person should be confident and friendly, hardworking with basic computer skills.

Application is made by forwarding your CV and covering letter to: info@www.aib-insurance.co.uk

Easter 2015 Opening Hours

Good Friday        CLOSED
Easter Saturday 9am – 12 noon
Easter Sunday     CLOSED
Easter Monday    CLOSED

We hope you enjoy your hot cross buns and simnel cake, chocolate eggs or whatever your culinary delight are over the Easter period.

Landlords In The UK Benefit From Increasing House Prices

The total value of rental properties has gone above the £1 trillion level with a rise of 57% being seen in the above period. Just in the last year, the total value of properties being rented out has risen by 17%.

This has produced an estimated profit of £177 billion in that 5-year period for landlords purely due to capital growth. Then, on top of that figure, landlords may have made further profits on rental income.

It is believed that this increase in values is due to two factors: –

1. Rising house prices.

It is estimated that the value of all UK homes now stands at £5.75 trillion. In the last 5 years, property values have risen by £966 billion. It probably does not come as a surprise to read that it is London and the South East that has witnessed the biggest increase in values. Of the £5.75 trillion mentioned above, in excess of £2.5 trillion is in these two locations. The average value of a home in London is now £428,988 and in the South East £282,168. The only places not to witness growth in residential property values in the last 5 years are in Northern Ireland, North East and the North West.

2. An increase in the numbers of private rental properties

You may be surprised to read that, since 2009, the number of homes rented out privately has risen by getting on for 1.2 million to 5.4 million. This is a significant increase by any standard.

With an increase in properties being rented out, we have seen a lot more people become landlords whether that is to rent out just one property or build up a portfolio of properties. It is perhaps just as well this has happened as we have seen an increasing number of people being unable to afford to enter the first time buyers market to buy their own home and have to revert to entering the private housing rental market.

It will be interesting to review the above in another 5 years time to see if private landlords have continued to benefit from rising house prices.

Here at AIB Insurance we are able to obtain competitive quotes for Landlord Insurance so why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and speak with a member of our experienced team.

Results Of Post Office Travel Insurance Survey Are Concerning

Many of us look forward to a summer holiday in some far off exotic location where we can enjoy relaxing on a sandy beach, sunbathing under a pure blue sky sipping on a champagne cocktail. Prior to getting on the plane to start our holiday we will have made sure that we have brought our passports, flight and hotel details, sun cream, clothes and sunglasses.

That is fine but do we all sort out travel insurance before departing to ensure that if we are taken ill whilst on holiday, have an accident whilst water-skiing, suffer flight delays or something else untoward? Unfortunately not, according to a survey carried out by Post Office Travel Insurance.

The survey involved 1,224 adults in the UK agreeing to take part and makes for interesting reading. In the past 5 years, all those participating had been on long-haul holidays.

Interestingly, there was a high % of people that had encountered problems whilst travelling to certain places overseas but what is even more alarming is that the survey found that a lot of people going to those same destinations did not bother to take out travel insurance. These problems covered a range of things such as flight delays, having an accident or illness as well as having something stolen.

For instance, let’s look at India. The survey found that around 18% of people from the UK travelling on holiday to that country in the last 5 years had some form of problem during their stay. Rather surprisingly, 29% of those people did not bother to take out travel insurance to cover their visit.

Mauritius is a honeymooners paradise. Well, a huge 20% of adults from the UK had some issues during their holiday and the same percentage of people did not arrange travel insurance.

Of those taking a well-earned rest in Sri Lanka, the survey found that 23% encountered some problems and 21% did not have the forethought to sort out travel insurance.

It probably does not come as a surprise to read that around a third of those aged 18 to 34 did not arrange travel insurance for their most recent long-haul flight yet only 6% of those at least 55 years of age did likewise. The main reason for this was possibly because the younger traveller felt that they were less likely to have a serious illness.

There was some interesting data from those that did bother to take out travel insurance. The main reason (35%) why someone claimed was because they needed medical attention due to illness closely followed by 31% suffering an accident and requiring medical treatment.

A staggering 15% of people taking part in the survey had had to be brought back to the UK in an air ambulance. Did you know that for such patients needing to be airlifted from India this could cost between £80,000 to £100,000? The survey found that the average amount claimed on a travel insurance policy for long-haul holidays was £4,859.

So, it really is not worth taking the risk of not bothering to arrange suitable travel insurance when going on holiday abroad. In this respect, why not pick up the phone to us here at AIB Insurance on 02380 268 351 so that we can do our best to help you arrange affordable cover to provide you with peace of mind.