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DVLA requirements to reclassify a motor caravan converted from a van

There are no doubt a number of motor caravan enthusiasts who love to get involved in a bit of DIY. So much so, that every year a few are even attracted to converting a van into a motor caravan.

What are the benefits of converting a van to a motor caravan?

There are several with some of the main ones being: –

• It could save you some money in comparison to buying a second-hand or new motor caravan.
• It enables you to personalise the motor caravan.
• It provides you with some inexpensive holidays that you can take more frequently.
• It may result in lower road tax and MOT fee as well as less expensive insurance.
• Subject to its unladen weight, you may be able to travel at a higher speed.

What must you do once your van has been converted into a motor caravan?

One of the most important things is to have the V5C UK Registration Certificate updated with the correct classification of vehicle so you will need to return the V5C to the DVLA for amendment. No fee is payable to the DVLA.

What are the DVLA’s requirements to reclassify the vehicle as a motor caravan?

For a vehicle to be reclassified as a motor caravan it must look like one from the outside and have a number of features as a minimum. These minimum features are: –
• On the side of the accommodation area there must be at least one window.
• The living accommodation must have a door into it.
• It must have the likes of a wardrobe, locker or cupboard for storage purposes that is permanently fixed.
• A bed with a minimum length of 6 feet or 1800mm that is fixed permanently to the bodywork must form part of the living accommodation. It could be converted from a seat.
• An electric or gas cooking facility must be fixed permanently in/to the vehicle.
• A water container or water storage tank must be in or on the vehicle.
• A dining and seating area must be provided. The table must be able to be attached permanently to the motor caravan although it can have the facility to be detached. The seating must be permanently secured to the floor or sidewall of the vehicle.

Do you need to provide the DVLA with any evidence of the conversion?

Yes. In order that the DVLA can amend the logbook you will need to provide them with a description of the conversion works, receipts and photographs of the conversion work. The DVLA could require the vehicle to be inspected.

As a guide, there should be photos of: –
• The outside of the vehicle, showing the entrance door and window to the living accommodation as well as the front and rear number plates being in the photos.
• The inside of the living accommodation showing the cooker, water storage, dining and seating area to include showing how the table/seating is attached to the vehicle, the storage accommodation and the bed and how it is permanently fixed. (If it is converted from a seat send photos of the seat and how it converts).

The DVLA will also require the dates when the conversion work was carried out and see receipts for items purchased in connection with the work as well as any receipts for payment to any tradespeople working on the conversion.

If you comply with all the above you should have no problem in having your DIY converted motor caravan reclassified from being a van. Don’t forget to inform AIB Insurance of the new classification so that we can have your vehicle insurance changed.

For motorhome, RV or campervan insurance call our team on 02380 268351 or visit our motorhome page at www.aib-insurance.co.uk/products/car-insurance/motorhome-insurance

What Is Going To Happen To These Range Rovers?

The Bramble Bank in the Solent is a sandbank that is visible at low tide. Until the beginning of this year, it had been best known by people living in the area as the location for an annual cricket match between the Island Sailing Club and the Royal Southern Yacht Club.

However, on the 3rd January 2015, “The Brambles”, as it is more commonly known, drew the attention of the world’s media when a huge transporter ship by the name of the MV Hoegh Osaka ran aground on it. Unfortunately, the vessel was transporting around 1,400 Range Rovers, Jaguars, Minis and Porsche estimated to be worth in the region of £30 million to the Middle East having just left Southampton docks. There were also a number of building plant and agricultural pieces of machinery on board as well as a Rolls Royce Wraith valued at around £260,000. Land Rover Insurance

Apparently, to stop the car transporter from capsizing, a decision was made to run the vessel onto the sandbank as it was starting to list significantly. In fact, it tilted by as much as 52% causing a number of the vehicles on board to be damaged bringing into question what is going to happen to the cars that were on the ship at the time. The 25 crew members were rescued by lifeboats and a helicopter with two members suffering injuries.

No doubt not helped by adverse weather conditions in the Solent, it was over two weeks before the MV Hoegh Osaka was taken back to dry land and then there was a further delay of several days before they started to remove the cars from the ship at Southampton docks A number of the cars have been scratched and dented so it remains to be seen what is going to be done about them. Some on the lower deck suffered water damage.

Many people would think that they would just repair the vehicles that have slight damage to the bodywork but no decision will be made in this respect until all the vehicles have been fully examined. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is looking into what caused the 180 metre vessel to list.

Apparently, a similar incident happened in the North Pacific with a vehicle transporter called the MV Cougar Ace back in 2006. Although only 68 Mazda cars were damaged, the decision was taken to crush all 4,700 of them. One reason this decision was made was because engineers were concerned about any problems within any of the cars’ mechanical parts including the effect caused by any electrolyte that may have leaked from car batteries.

Whether a decision is made either to repair or crush the cars, it looks likely that there may be many disgruntled people who had been looking to take delivery of their new luxury cars who may have to wait a little longer than expected for them.

Toyoto Aygo Appears To Be A Tasty Little Vehicle

There have been an increasing number of car manufacturers introducing more environmentally friendly vehicles in recent years designed with the capability to reduce CO2 emissions. However, Toyoto took things a little further by utilising some plastic parts for their Aygo model that were made using eco-friendly ingredients.

For instance, one of the natural resources that could be utilised is the castor oil plant. Eco-friendly plastics have been used for things like the liner in the boot, the cover for the spare wheel and trims for the doors.

Sounds good. Well, not if you are Tony Steeles from Croydon who bought a Toyota Aygo!

Apparently, shortly after taking possession of this car, he claimed that squirrels had taken a liking to some of the Aygo’s plastics and chewed things like some of the trims and the aerial. In fact, the car has been repaired several times – all at the dealer’s expense.

No other cars in the vicinity have had the same problem so it does beg the question whether these particular rodents in Croydon are concentrating on the Aygo as part of their diet. Whether they are eating the plastic as a starter, main course or dessert we shall probably never know.

Interestingly, Mr Steeles has changed his Aygo for a new Toyota Yaris so hopefully will not have the same problem. However, just in case, he now puts the car in the garage through the night. Let us hope that the offending squirrels concentrate on eating things like nuts, insects and green vegetation.

Toyota is looking into whether any changes can be made to their products to stop this happening in the future.

Here at AIB Insurance, we would be interested to hear from anybody else if they have encountered a similar problem with squirrels or any other wildlife for that matter nibbling at their cars.

Ageas (UK) Limited Joins Panel

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ageas (UK) Limited to our ever-growing panel of insurance companies thus providing us with even more insurance options for the benefit of our customers. When appropriate, they will be providing car, home, travel and commercial insurance for our many valued clients.

Ageas UK is part of Ageas SA/NV that is the largest insurance company in Belgium and is represented in 14 countries around the world. The operation in this country has its headquarters in Eastleigh, Hampshire so it couldn’t be much closer to us.

From various locations around the UK including their Eastleigh head office which is located just around the corner from us at Airsports Insurance Bureau, they employ about 5,500 staff and have in the region of 9 million policyholders to look after. They are the 3rd largest provider of private car insurance, the 6th largest provider of home insurance and the 7th largest provider of travel insurance in this country. Formally known as Bishopsgate and Fortis Insurance they have won numerous awards including being voted the Personal Lines Insurer of the Year in 2014 by the Insurance Times.

They are renowned for the outstanding level of service provided to their customers and that is something that we have found to be of benefit in our dealings with them. Their staff are extremely knowledgeable and professional in every area of their business whether it be in processing insurance proposal forms to dealing speedily and effectively with claims.

Their extensive range of products are continually reviewed to make sure that they are providing the customer with the features and benefits that they have come to expect in what are extremely competitive markets and at the right price.

We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship working with Ageas that will no doubt prove to be mutually beneficial for our customers, Ageas and ourselves.

If you so wish, you can find out more about the company by visiting their website at https://www.ageas.co.uk/

The Top Five 2014 UK Property Sales

The Land Registry produce “Price Paid Data” showing details of private sales to individuals that are registered with them throughout the year. Whilst data is only available up to the end of October 2014, we thought that you would find it interesting to hear of the five most expensive properties to be sold so far this year.

However, before doing so, let’s just take a look at some interesting statistics about property sales in the UK in recent years.

Five years ago, back in 2009, there were 4,821 residential property sales for at least one million pounds. In 2010, this had risen to 7,429. In 2011, there was a further small increase to 7,554. Again, in 2012, we saw a further modest increase to 7,781. In 2013, this country witnesses a huge increase in properties being sold for one million pounds or more -11,084.

So, how do those figures compare with this year? Well, by the end of October 2014, there have been 11,115 properties sold for one million pounds plus. Last year’s figure has already been exceeded and we still have two months data to come.

Below are the top five UK property sales that have taken place in 2014, sadly none of them look like Disney’s Magic Castle though: –

1. A flat in Princes Gate, London, SW7 that sold for £50 million.
2. A house in Thornwood Gardens, London W8 that sold for £27.9 million.
3. Another flat in Princes Gate, London, SW7 that sold for £26.5 million.
4. A flat in Montpelier Walk, London SW7 that sold for £24.5million.
5. A house in Holland Villas Road, London W14 that sold for £24 million.

It probably does not come as a surprise to you to see that all the above properties are in London. In fact, the most expensive sale of a property outside London was for a mansion that went for £12.5 million in Weybridge in Surrey. Only 30 of the top 500 sales in the UK have been for properties outside London so far in 2014.

Apparently, an increasing number of buyers of expensive properties in our capital city are from overseas such as Russia.

If you are the owner of an exclusive property, whether that is a penthouse near Hyde Park in London or a weekend country retreat in the Cotswolds, then you may be interested to know that here at AIB Insurance we have an experienced team that can place your buildings and contents insurance with specialist insurers on our panel. You will receive an outstanding level of personal service and cover that is tailor-made to your exacting requirements. We may be contacted on 02380 268351.

Aston Martin DB10 To Take Lead Role In Next James Bond Movie

A James Bond movie would not be complete without the appearance of an Aston Martin being driven at great speed and with much skill by the hero of the movie – 007 himself. These cars also demonstrate the many extra gadgets not found on a production Aston Martin!

The most famous of all is the Aston Martin DB5 (pictured below with Daniel Craig) that has been seen in six of the Bond films – Goldfinger, Thunderball, Golden Eye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale and Skyfall. Back in October 2010, it was sold to a car collector for $4.6 million and included such extras as a revolving front number plate, a bullet shield at the rear and gun barrels that came out of the front indicator lights.

The Aston Martin DBS made an appearance in four scenes of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante was in The Living Daylights and was equipped with gadgets like missiles, spike-producing tyres and rockets. Die Another Day featured an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish with machine guns, rockets and an ejector seat in the passenger seat which the DB5 had also been equipped with.

Anyway, a few days ago, the name of the next James Bond movie was revealed – SPECTRE . It is due to be released on the 6th November 2015 – so, less than ten months to wait for all you diehard Bond fans. Aston Martin and James Bond have been associated together for 50 years this year.

At the same time, the cinema world was introduced to the leading cast member. No, not 007 but a new Aston Martin DB10 (see below). Before all you Aston Martin enthusiasts get excited and flock to their dealerships to place your order for a new one you will be wasting your time. This is because only 10 of these sleek, high-performance sports cars are being produced and are to be used exclusively in the film. Unfortunately, no details were released about any extra gadgets that are being fitted to it but we are sure they will be worth waiting for.It has been described as the ultimate car for the most famous spy in the world and, no matter how much money you have, you won’t be able to buy one. However, although you cannot purchase the DB10, it is believed that the replacement to the current DB9 will be based on this design so you will not be disappointed when it goes on sale in 2016.

If you are considering purchasing an Aston Martin or you are already a proud owner of one you will want tailor-made insurance to cover it. Here at AIB Insurance we have a number of specialist insurers that can meet the most demanding of customer’s requirements so why not give our experienced team a call on 02380 268 351 to discuss your requirements and obtain a quotation.

Axa Insurance Added To Existing Panel

It is with great pride that we have pleasure in announcing that AXA Insurance has recently joined our list of reputable insurers that we have partnered with thus further strengthening the panel significantly. As a result, we will be able to provide our customers with an even greater choice of products that can only prove positive to them. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship both from our clients’, AXA’s and our perspectives.

The company was founded back in France in 1816 as Mutuelle de L’assurance contre L’incendie and changed its name to AXA in 1985. It has grown to become one of the largest insurance companies in the world employing in excess of 170,000 people in 55 countries with 67 million clients. It is also involved in wealth management providing a range of investment products.

Here in the UK, it trades under various names such as AXA Sun Life, AXA Insurance, AXA PPP Healthcare and AXA Investment Managers. AXA Insurance arranges a vast selection of both personal and commercial insurance products being the UK’s number one underwriter for travel insurance, number three underwriter for commercial insurance and pet insurance and number seven underwriter for home insurance.

AXA is renowned for the quality of its innovative products that are also competitively priced. These are extremely important factors from our valued customers’ points of views. Their level of customer service at both point of sale and in the unfortunate event of a claim needing to be made is outstanding.

Here at AIB Insurance, we shall no doubt utilize AXA on many occasions when arranging insurance for the likes of travel, home, commercial, motor, commercial vehicle and liability cover.

For more information about AXA why not visit their website at www.axa.co.uk where you can find out even more about them.

Smoking May Be Banned In Cars

As a child, I remember sitting in the back of my father’s car as we travelled from our North Yorkshire home for our annual two-week summer holiday to the North Wales coast. The traffic was always horrendous and the journey could take 4 to 5 hours, sometimes in sweltering conditions.

However, what I recollect the most about the trip was my chain-smoking stepmother sat in the front passenger seat lighting up numerous Embassy Regal cigarettes. It was before the days of cars being equipped with air-conditioning so she would sometimes wind down her window a little to get rid of some of the smoke. Unfortunately, more of the tobacco smoke and smell seemed to drift towards the rear of the vehicle, no doubt to be inhaled by myself.

It is interesting to hear that the Government in the UK may be going to ban the smoking of cigarettes in cars if there is anyone below the age of 18 in the vehicle. The Department of Health (DoH) has submitted proposals to members of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

If those in Parliament vote in favour of smoking being banned in private vehicles when children are present, it is quite possible that, from the 1st October 2015, it will become a criminal offence for the likes of parents and other adults to smoke tobacco in such a situation. Back in 2007, smoking was banned in public places meaning that people could not smoke in the likes of restaurants and on buses and trains.

Based upon information provide by the British Lung Foundation, it is estimated that each week around 430,000 children are in family cars in which an adult is smoking. It is estimated that around 300,000 children in this country every year go to see their GP because of inhaling tobacco smoke produced by others and about 9,500 of them end up in hospital. Apparently, there is a strong link between tobacco smoke inhalation by children with the likes of ear problems, asthma and chest infections.

It is believed that such smoke has several thousand chemicals in it with some of them known to be the cause of cancer. Even if a window has been left open, smoke can still remain in the atmosphere for as much as 2 and ½ hours.

If the above becomes law, it is expected that those caught smoking in a vehicle or those failing to stop someone smoking in their vehicle carrying children will be fined £50. Smoking like this is already banned in certain parts of Australia, Canada and the USA.

A decision is expected to be made this year so watch this space for an update.

Introducing Leah Burt – Our Newest Team Member

Airsports Insurance Bureau is thrilled to announce adding Leah Burt to our team at our Eastleigh office as one of our Insurance Administrators.

Whilst Leah is with us she will learn all aspects of a fast growing insurance broker, dealing with a range of products from home and motor insurance through to travel and commercial clients’ needs.

A delighted Leah commented:” I am really pleased that I have been successful and given the chance to work for AIB Insurance – I’ve already saved my mum seventy pounds on her car insurance and look forward to helping out more of my friends and family!”

At AIB we pride ourselves on the quality of our staff are and the personal relationships we’re able to build with our clients and our insurer partners. We encourage our team to reach their full potential and give them the tools and resources to gain a long term career in a professional environment.

Leah lives locally in Boyatt Wood and has a strong interest in films, especially The Hunger Games. She likes to go out and socialize as much as possible, particularly when food is involved!

Do You Have An Imelda Marcos Working In Your Office?

Imelda Marcos, who is now 85 years of age, had, in her early life, worked as a singer in a music shop. However, she married Ferdinand Marcos who became President of the Philippines back in 1965 and they amassed a huge fortune including property.

Unfortunately, her husband was forced out of office back in 1986 having been accused of being involved in the assassination of a member of the opposing government and the Marcos family was exiled to Hawaii.Following the death of her husband, Imelda was permitted to return to the Philippines in late 1991. She subsequently started to build a political career and is presently a chairperson in the Lower House.

So, what is Imelda Marcos best known for apart from being able to lay fame to having previously been a First Lady of the Philippines? Well, believe it or not she is best known for the number of shoes she used to own – yes, SHOES!

These shoes came in a variety of styles and colours. She claimed that many of them were gifts from Filipino shoemakers that she had endorsed. She just loved her shoes and took great care in looking after them.

There are varying reports of just how many shoes this lady has possessed but it is believed to be in the region of 3,000. For instance, when she and her husband were exiled to Hawaii in 1986 it is known that she left at least a minimum of 1,220 pairs of shoes behind in the Presidential Palace where they were originally placed on display for a time before being confined to a basement.

However, so famous were her shoes that, subsequently two years later, 765 pairs were placed in the Marikana City Footwear Museum in Manila but many of them were damaged due to flooding back in 2009. Unfortunately, some of those stored at the palace were also damaged by mould and termites.Among the damaged shoes are a pair of white Pierre Cardin heels, the sole of one destroyed by termites. Other shoes had been warped out of shape or messed by stains.

There they deteriorated further as the fragile boxes were abandoned in a padlocked museum hall that had no facilities to protect them. Last month the pieces were further damaged by tropical storm rains from a gushing leak in the ceiling, museum officials said.

Nevertheless, many pairs in the museum survived and attract between 50 to 100 tourists a day. They include such brands as Chanel, Christian Dior, Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo and Charles Jourdan and are on show in airtight glass cabinets out of direct sunlight.

At Airsports Insurance Bureau we have our very own Imelda who stores a few of her collection under her desk in the office.

If you have a large collection of shoes or designer clothing and want specialist cover call our team on 02380 268351.