Dog owners no doubt take their four-legged friends out on a regular basis for a walk whether it is around the housing estate on which they live or pop them in the car and drive to a country park. However, it will not come as a surprise to hear that very few dogs will get the opportunity to go paragliding with their owner. Well, we have recently heard about a couple of dogs that have done that in different parts of the world.
Over in Sydney, Australia, a paraglider by the name of Justin Elliott has recently taken his pooch called Snickers for his first flight up in the air attached to his paraglider. He has owned the dog for about one year and it is a lovely looking cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.
Apparently, Mr Elliott and Snickers took off from what is called Long Reef Headland that is located at the Northern Beaches that is a few miles to the north east of Sydney.
Snickers had his own harness and was attached just below Mr Elliott. A video of the event can be seen on the Internet that you may wish to watch. You will no doubt be pleased to read that both Mr Elliott and Snickers made a safe landing.
A little closer to home, we have heard about a Cockapoo by the name of Henry who is four years of age whose owner is called Amy Jones from Wales. Apparently, Henry has been paragliding over mountains in North Wales for over three years and has even taken to the sky in a paraglider in the Alps. He sounds like a seasoned participant in the sport.
If any of our clients have any similar experiences with their pets taking to the skies then we would love to hear about them here at AIB Insurance.
A Department for Transport publication produced on the 28th August 2019 has revealed that the number of deaths caused by drink driving in 2017 in Great Britain increased when compared with the previous year. Needless to say, we are sure that our readers will agree this is concerning.
Apparently, the central estimate of the number of people killed when either at least one driver or a rider was above the drink drive limit in 2017 was 250. In 2016 the figure was 230 so that is an increase of almost 9% – a worrying increase.
It is estimated that 8,600 people were either injured or killed in Great Britain in 2017 in road traffic accidents due to at least one driver or rider being above the drink drive limit. In 2016 the figure was 9,040 so that is a drop of 5%. Back in 1979 there were in the region of 19,470 road traffic accidents caused by drink driving.
In 2017, Wales had the biggest percentage of casualties due to road traffic accidents caused by drink driving at 5.3%. In England it was 5.1% and in Scotland it was 4.3%.
On a regional basis in England in 2017, the percentage of casualties due to road traffic accidents caused by drink driving was: –
East Midlands 2%
East 8%
South West 8%
North East 8%
South East 7%
West Midlands 3%
North West 8%
Yorkshire & Humberside 5%
London 6%
When you look at the gender of drivers or riders involved in drink driving accidents in 2017 where they were above the legal drink drive limit, male drivers and riders make up for 79% and females account for 21%.
The penalty for someone being convicted of a drink driving offence can vary depending upon a number of factors that may include the likes of points on a driving license, being banned from driving for a period of time, a fine and imprisonment. It may also result in having to pay more for motor insurance as there are fewer insurance companies who will consider providing cover for someone who has a drink driving offence.
Those of you who enjoy the thrill of parachuting will be aware of the dangers and that on rare occasions things can go wrong. Well, that would appear what happened to an Army Parachute Display team member recently here in the UK.
The parachutist, who has not been named, was parachuting over Eastbourne in East Sussex and it was intended that those taking part would land in the sea. Unfortunately, this particular parachutist seemed to get into difficulty whilst participating in a 5,000 foot jump and ended up descending to dry land. Miraculously, the person involved is said to have only suffered a few minor grazes. Apparently, the St Johns Ambulance Service and the police provided assistance.
Let’s hope that the person involved makes a full recovery and is soon taking to the skies again.
Coincidentally, it has also been reported that a female skydiver near Quebec, Canada who is 30 years of age has been involved in a skydiving accident that also involved a jump from a similar height. Apparently, not only the main parachute but also the reserve one failed to open and she plunged to the ground landing in trees. Fortunately, she has survived but has a number of broken bones that will probably not come as a surprise to our readers. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Here at AIB Insurance, we have many years experience in arranging specialist cover for a number of airborne sports including the likes of skydiving and parachuting. If you are looking to take up the sport or your existing cover is shortly due to be renewed then why not get in touch with us on 02380 268 351. One of our experienced members of staff will be pleased to discuss your insurance requirements in detail and provide a bespoke competitive quotation for your consideration without any obligation. We look forward to hearing from you.
The new 2.9-litre, six-cylinder biturbo engine in this extensively reworked top model offers 324 kW (440 PS; Fuel consumption combined 9.8 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 224 g/km), ten per cent more power output than its predecessor with 20 per cent less displacement. With the optional Sport Chrono Package, this car can get from a standing start to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds – three tenths faster than before. The car’s top speed is 270 km/h (plus four km/h). Deceleration has also been improved: the new Macan Turbo comes with the powerful Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) fitted ex works, as part of the optimised chassis. Externally, the Macan Turbo is characterised by the styling features of the revised model generation. The new top model also sets itself apart thanks to unique accents such as the Turbo-specific front apron and the fixed roof spoiler with its double-wing design. Drivers and passengers alike benefit from the Macan’s enhanced interior, in-cluding adaptive 18-way sports seats and a BOSE® Surround Sound system.
Powerful biturbo engine with central turbo layout
The new Macan Turbo’s 2.9-litre engine, which is already used by Porsche in its Cayenne and Panamera models, is a latest-generation engine in what is known as the central turbo layout. Both exhaust turbochargers have been arranged inside the V of the cylinders. The cooled exhaust manifold has been integrated into the cylinder head for highly efficient combustion. The short exhaust paths between the combustion chambers and the turbochargers permit rapid build-up of power and a particularly spontaneous response. The engine delivers 29 kW (40 PS) more than the 3.6-litre, six-cylinder turbo in the predecessor model and a maximum torque of 550 Nm between 1,800 and 5,600 rpm. Power transmission is provided by the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox and Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive. NEDC con-sumption stands at 9.8 l/100 km.
Optimised chassis with the Porsche Surface Coated Brake
The new Macan Turbo comes with the Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) as standard to match the excellent driving dynamics. These innovative, high-performance brakes are exclusive to Porsche and, with a tungsten carbide coating on the discs, offer a faster response, less wear and up to 90 per cent less brake dust compared with conventional cast iron brakes. The high-gloss brake discs and white painted brake calipers are characteristic for PSCB and are now available as an optional extra for all other Macan models as well. Optional height-adjustable air suspension with optimised rolling pistons and new shock absorber hydraulics, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) are available for a further increase in dynamics. The new 20-inch Macan Turbo wheels come as standard.
The new 2.9-litre, six-cylinder biturbo engine in this extensively reworked top model offers 324 kW (440 PS; Fuel consumption combined 9.8 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 224 g/km), ten per cent more power output than its predecessor with 20 per cent less displacement. With the optional Sport Chrono Package, this car can get from a standing start to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds – three tenths faster than before. The car’s top speed is 270 km/h (plus four km/h). Deceleration has also been improved: the new Macan Turbo comes with the powerful Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) fitted ex works, as part of the optimised chassis. Externally, the Macan Turbo is characterised by the styling features of the revised model generation. The new top model also sets itself apart thanks to unique accents such as the Turbo-specific front apron and the fixed roof spoiler with its double-wing design. Drivers and passengers alike benefit from the Macan’s enhanced interior, in-cluding adaptive 18-way sports seats and a BOSE® Surround Sound system.
Powerful biturbo engine with central turbo layout
The new Macan Turbo’s 2.9-litre engine, which is already used by Porsche in its Cayenne and Panamera models, is a latest-generation engine in what is known as the central turbo layout. Both exhaust turbochargers have been arranged inside the V of the cylinders. The cooled exhaust manifold has been integrated into the cylinder head for highly efficient combustion. The short exhaust paths between the combustion chambers and the turbochargers permit rapid build-up of power and a particularly spontaneous response. The engine delivers 29 kW (40 PS) more than the 3.6-litre, six-cylinder turbo in the predecessor model and a maximum torque of 550 Nm between 1,800 and 5,600 rpm. Power transmission is provided by the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox and Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive. NEDC con-sumption stands at 9.8 l/100 km.
Optimised chassis with the Porsche Surface Coated Brake
The new Macan Turbo comes with the Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) as standard to match the excellent driving dynamics. These innovative, high-performance brakes are exclusive to Porsche and, with a tungsten carbide coating on the discs, offer a faster response, less wear and up to 90 per cent less brake dust compared with conventional cast iron brakes. The high-gloss brake discs and white painted brake calipers are characteristic for PSCB and are now available as an optional extra for all other Macan models as well. Optional height-adjustable air suspension with optimised rolling pistons and new shock absorber hydraulics, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) are available for a further increase in dynamics. The new 20-inch Macan Turbo wheels come as standard.
Unique design with turbo front apron and double wing at the rear
The new Macan Turbo demonstrates its range-leading status thanks to the exclusive front apron, with three large air intakes and high-level front lights, as well as the stand-ard LED headlights including the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS). From the side, this top model sets itself apart with 20-inch Macan Turbo wheels, Sport Design side skirts and Sport Design exterior mirrors in body colour. The specially developed fixed roof spoiler with its double-wing design is typical for the Turbo model. The sports exhaust system, fitted as standard, can be recognised by its unique, silver twin tailpipes.
18-way sports seats and surround sound system as standard
The Macan Turbo, the new flagship model in the range, offers particularly high-quality equipment. Adaptive sports seats with smooth leather upholstery, electric 18-way adjustment and a comfort memory package are standard features. The high-quality ambience is rounded off by the Alcantara roof lining and the brushed aluminium interior package. The heated GT sports steering wheel, which is familiar from the 911, is available as an option for sporty drivers.
Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with a 10.9-inch full HD touchscreen is fully networked as standard and connected to a BOSE® Surround Sound system with 14 loudspeakers and a total output of 665 watts. It includes online navigation with real-time traffic information and smart voice control. Other standard features include Por-sche Connect Plus, which comes with an LTE telephone module, an integrated SIM card and a slot for an external SIM card, as well as a Wi-Fi hotspot and numerous Porsche Connect services.
The options list now includes a smartphone cradle with Qi standard inductive charging for all Macan models. A heated windscreen, an ioniser to improve the interior’s air quality and the new traffic jam assistant, including adaptive cruise control, are also available. As well as being able to accelerate and brake semi-automatically up to 60 km/h, the system helps the driver to steer in traffic jams and slow-moving traffic.
It is no secret that the roads are much quieter during rush hours when children are on school holiday and the time taken to get to work tends to drop. Some interesting research has been carried out by Admiral Car Insurance relating to the number of car accidents that take place in school term time when compared to the school holidays.
In the last five years, the number of claims submitted for accidents taking place between the hours of 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm increased by an average of 32% when children were at school compared to when they were on their summer holiday.
We are sure that you will agree the above is a large increase and is somewhat concerning.
It is interesting that the research by Admiral Car Insurance revealed that during the school rush hour in the morning motorists were most likely to collide with a third party vehicle by going into the back of them whilst in the afternoon a motorist was most likely to have their car hit whilst left unattended or parked.
The research found that 67% of motorists felt it was not as stressful commuting to work when school children were on holiday compared to when children were back at school.
According to the report, when a parent has to drop off a child at school or the nursery on the way to work, the distance travelled rises from 20 miles to 36 miles and the time taken goes up from 32 minutes to 54 minutes.
There is no doubt that driving a car is not as stressful during the school holidays when compared with driving in term time with 66% of motorists believing this to be the case.
It is the opinion of 71% of motorists that far too many parents take their children to school using a car. There are other potential modes of transport such as train, bus, cycling or walking.
A parent can become distracted by their children when driving them to school so it is important that they concentrate on the road to reduce the possibility of being involved in a road traffic accident.
If your car insurance policy is shortly due for renewal or you are looking to arrange cover for the first time then why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and have a chat with one of our friendly, knowledgeable members of staff. He or she will be happy to discuss your requirements in detail with a view to proving you with a tailor-made, competitive quotation for your perusal. You will be pleased to read that we have an extensive panel of vetted insurance companies on our panel. If you wish to go ahead with the cover then we will be able to assist in putting the policy in place as quickly as required.
Lotus and newly promoted Premier League football team Norwich City Football Club have today announced a new multi-year global partnership. The collaboration sees the state-of-the-art training facility renamed The Lotus Training Centre, and the all-new Academy building renamed The Lotus Academy. Lotus branding will feature on the first-team ‘walk-out’ jackets, on all Academy shirts from the Under-23s squad through to the Under-9s, and on pitch-side branding at the Carrow Road stadium.
The partnership is announced on the eve of the Canaries’ first game of the 2019-20 Premier League season against Liverpool at Anfield. The agreement sees two long-standing Norfolk brands coming together as they each enter a new and exciting phase on the global stage, and with the local community at the heart of their ambitions.
Lotus is embarking on a major global transformation. Last month it unveiled the world’s first fully electric British hypercar and most powerful production car, the Evija, which is designed, engineered and produced at Lotus’ headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk.
The launch of Evija is the first visible step in Lotus’ plan that will see the company invest significantly over the next few years, to expand its product range and become a global premium performance car brand. Lotus has been making cars at Hethel, to the south of Norwich, since 1966 and currently employs around 1,200 people in the region.
Lotus and Norwich City Football Club have released an entertaining film featuring owner Delia Smith and former player Darren Huckerby to mark the start of the partnership.
Simon Clare, Executive Director, Global Marketing, Lotus, said: “Lotus is a brand born for and out of performance and competition, so this partnership is perfect for both parties. Together Lotus and Norwich City Football Club share core values – commitment, passion, focus, hard work, a winning mindset – and the success that flows from them.
“This partnership joins two iconic Norfolk brands as they accelerate on to the global stage together. Both share a desire for innovation and, as we herald a new era together, we are incredibly excited about playing a part in the development of Norwich City Football Club and its talent. Today we are investing in that future.”
All Lotus branding reflects the company’s new corporate identity, which features a revised roundel and new typeface for the wordmark. Simon Clare explained: “We’ve looked back at the original Lotus roundel and thought about Colin Chapman’s philosophy – to simplify and add lightness. We’ve applied that to create a new roundel, taking the weight out of the lettering and adapting the spacing. We’ve also straightened the word ‘Lotus’ so it’s consistent with the Lotus wordmark.”
Ben Kensell, Chief Operating Officer at Norwich City Football Club, said: “This is a momentous deal for us. We’re so thrilled to partner with one of the most iconic and high-profile brands, not just in Norfolk, but across the UK and internationally. I’m proud that our resurgent Club is partnering with Lotus at a time when it is relaunching its brand into a new and exciting future. The synergies between our two businesses are striking, and for our Academy players to be proudly wearing a shirt that has such a well-loved logo on is really special.”
Back in 2016, we were pleased to add Zurich Insurance Group to our closely vetted panel of insurers with this including the Zurich Private Clients section catering for high net worth clients wishing to cover the likes of their luxury homes and expensive motor vehicles.
Well, we are pleased to inform our discerning clients that Zurich Private Clients cover has recently been enhanced. Below we provide details of some of the improvements that have been made: –
Home Insurance Enhancements
Home Emergency Cover totaling £1,500 has been added to the policy as standard with this covering emergencies such as water leakage requiring an approved repairer to attend 24/7.
New Acquisitions notification period has gone up from 60 days to 90 days.
Jewellery limit has gone up from £15,000 to £25,000 per item.
Sums insured for specified antiques, fine art and valuables is now index-linked on an annual basis.
Cyber Assistance cover has been added including damage to home systems due to a cyber event up to £100,000.
Antiques and fine arts limit has risen from £25,000 to £50,000 for each item.
Extended cover now includes contract works for up to the lesser of 20% of the sum insured or £1 million.
Motor Insurance Enhancements
Alternative transportation costs limit has risen from £3,000 to £5,000.
Breakdown cover is for named individuals on the motor insurance certificate as opposed to specified vehicles.
Any new customer taking out a Zurich Private Clients policy will benefit from these enhancements immediately. Existing customers with a Zurich Private Clients policy will benefit from the above enhancements immediately with the exception of cyber and home emergency cover that will be incorporated at renewal from around December 2019 onwards.
The above improvements in cover can only be of potential benefit to our high net worth clients so they are most welcome. We are pleased to inform you that, since adding Zurich Insurance Group to our panel, we have been most impressed with the service that they have provided.
Some interesting research has been carried out relating to the amount that is estimated is being saved in flood damage here in the UK due to the inland flood defences that have been put in place over the years. The research was carried out by Risk Management Solutions (RMS) on behalf of Flood Re.
The research took into account many thousands of weather event simulations so an awful lot of work has obviously gone into producing the information. The research took into account the situation both without and with flood defences.
You may be surprised at just how much flood damage could be caused inland such as due to rivers breaking their banks. Apparently, it is estimated that with flood defences in place the cost of water damage could amount to around £0.7 billion. However, without flood defences in-situ it is estimated that the cost of damage caused by water could be in the region of £1.8 billion.
That is a huge potential saving of around £1.1 billion as a result of having inland flood defences in place.
An example of the benefit of having flood defences in place can be found in Bewdley, Worcestershire. This small, picturesque Georgian town has the River Severn running through it. For many years, on occasions, the river burst its banks and a significant number of homes and businesses running along the side of the river were flooded causing a great deal of flood damage to buildings and their contents as well as much heartache for the owners of those properties. That was until a few years ago when flood barrier defences were strategically put in place along the side of the river. Since then, there has not been a significant problem with flooding in that location.
Owners of properties within flood risk areas of the UK are likely to be charged more for their buildings cover so it may be a good idea to shop around. In that respect, why not get in touch with us here at AIB Insurance on 02380 268 351 and discuss your requirements with an experienced member of our team who will do all that he or she can to help source suitable, competitive, quality home insurance to cover both your buildings and any contents.
If you are a classic car enthusiast who has an interest in American motors and are considering buying one then you have a number of options. By far the easiest one is to purchase such a vehicle that is already located in the UK but if there is a car that has really taken your fancy but is situated over in the USA then you can arrange to buy it and have it imported to this country.
We have a number of clients who are the proud owners of such vehicles. In this respect, we thought it would be of interest to you if we asked our clients how they imported their vehicles from the USA and if they had any tips/advice.
Here is what one of our clients, Mr B, kindly had to say having recently imported this beautiful example of a 1965 Ford Mustang: –
You’ve imported a few American classic’s, what the secret to making it painless?
Personally I’ve always tried to keep it simple. You can do it all yourself independently. You can book the cheapest container, book your own shipping, get someone else to load it but your giving yourself 8 extra jobs and if something goes wrong the whole pack of cards falls down.
I generally try to use one really competent shipper and give them the zip code, contact details and address and they do the rest. They also need to know the length, weight and description.
The other key thing is to remember where you are shipping the vehicle from in the US too because the cost to ship from inland American can be as much as shipping the vehicle from the US to the UK. Generally I buy one not too far from the shipping port so stick to New York, Seattle, San Francisco and Houston but obviously if I stumble across a real bargain I need to factor in the extra transport costs. “
Do you mind sharing with us the approximate cost of the car to purchase in the States and the variety of prices?
$17,500.
From $2000 (wreck) to $250000 (fully restored Shelby GT500)
Who did you imported it through?
Schumacher Cargo Logistics who will do a door to door service or just to any UK port if you are able to pick-up.
Where did you purchased the vehicle from?
Mark is an ebay seller and mainly deals with Mustangs at Ford Chevy Classics. He sent me lots of photos and a video of the car in action prior to the purchase. Another eBay seller with nice cars Oldman Classic Mustangs in Texas.
What do you think the car would sell for in the UK?
£20-25k
How much was the import tax and any other associated costs?
Special one off 5% vat for old classic collectors’ cars if for personal use. Typically the total shipping costs and taxes vary but were £3k for this vehicle.
Your dream American muscle car to purchase?
I already have a GT40 but always fancied a 57 Chevy Bel Air 2 door.”
Some of the things you will need to consider in respect of the above include: –
Obviously, the greater the distance that the car needs to be transported the more it will cost to move it. So, you may wish to concentrate your search for a vehicle around the east coast of the USA rather than over towards the west coast.
How it is transported will have a bearing on the overall cost i.e. whether it is by air or sea and whether it is transported in a container enabling the carrying of any spare parts or on a roll on and roll off (Ro-Ro) basis.
You can arrange everything to do with the transportation yourself or you can leave it to an established transportation company with the later being the most expensive.
You will wish to make sure that classic car shipping insurance is in place in case the vehicle is damaged whilst being transported.
Once the car is in the UK, you have 14 days in which to let HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) know.
HMRC will advise you how much VAT and duty is payable. It is worth noting that importing a classic car that is less than 30 years old from the USA incurs VAT at 20% whereas if the car is over 30 years of age VAT is reduced to 5%.
You will need to obtain vehicle approval to show that the car meets environmental and safety standards.
The car will need to be modified to be used on UK roads and have an MOT.
You will need to insure the car here in the UK.
In respect of the last point, here at AIB Insurance, we have many years experience when it comes to insuring American classic cars. Once the car is in the UK we can insure it on a chassis number. No road cover is provided (although some insurers will let you drive to and from the MOT test centre if pre arranged and disclosed to them) whilst you contact the DVLA to register the vehicle.
Many thanks to Mr B and we hope that he enjoys his American car import for many years to come. If any of our other clients wish to share their experiences about importing a classic American car please feel free to get in touch with us.
Those of you who have parachuted from 10,000 feet from a plane will be aware of the dangers of the activity. A number of things can potentially go wrong but the majority of parachutists make a safe landing suffering no injuries and thoroughly enjoy the experience.
However, there are very few people in their 90s who would dare take to the skies in a plane, jump from it at several thousand feet, free fall for a considerable distance before parachuting to the ground. Well that is exactly what a 94 year old second world war veteran intends to do on the 6th June 2019 to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing.
Harry Read is a very brave gentleman. Back on the 6th June 1944, whilst the Second World War was in progress, he was a young wireless operator. On that day which was the day of the D-Day landing he took to the skies and was parachuted into Normandy in France. Unlike many of his colleagues, he survived not only the landing but also the war. He later went on to head up the Salvation Army for a period of time.
Last year, in preparation for his forthcoming jump, he parachuted from several thousand feet here in the UK raising money for the Salvation Army.
All of use here at AIB Insurance wish Harry Read good fortune on the 6th June when he makes his parachute descent and hope that he makes a safe landing.
If you take part in parachuting on a regular basis then you may be interested to read that we specialise in arranging suitable cover. In this respect, why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and speak with a member of our team who will be happy to discuss your requirements and arrange a competitive quotation without any obligation. We look forward to hearing from you.
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