The car of the week is the gorgeous Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider.
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta was a family of vehicles from salons to coupés, when in 1955 the stylish spider was released. The beautiful car boasted a 4 cylinder engine capable of reaching 101 mph making summer cursing even more enticing in this classic Italian roadster.
Mr B knows his perfect Giulietta is safe to cruise in thanks to his caring insurance package from AIB giving him agreed value, choice of repairer and salvage retention! If you have a classic car that needs caring for think no further than AIB insurance.
If you have a classic car be sure to call our friendly motor team on 02380 268351 for a bespoke quotation covering all your needs.
Thank you Mr B for sharing your beautiful Alfa Giulietta Spider!
This is a very beautiful and rare car today there is only around 20 on UK roads.
Mr M was kind enough to take out this policy with us, which includes both the benefits of salvage retention and agreed value. We are able to offer specially catered policies dependant on your needs!
Thank you Mr M for allowing us to share! If you have a classic vehicle that needs insurance, please call our team today on 02380 268351.
The car of the day today is the wonderful Lotus Elan + 2.
Mr B has a fantastic policy with agreed value, choice of repairer and also salvage retention through ourselves here at AIB.
The Elan +2 was introduced in 1967 with a longer wheelbase and 2 rear seats. 5,200 Elan +2were made. The Elan +2 ceased production in 1975. Because of its successful design and rigorous attention to cost control on the body, chassis, engine and transmission, the Elan went on to become Lotus’ first commercial success, reviving a company stretched thin by the more exotic and expensive to build Lotus Elite enabling funding of the Lotus success in racing over the next ten years.
Thank you for sending these lovely photos Mr B!
We specialise in classic car insurance so remember to call us on 02380 268351 for all your classic car needs.
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
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”
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.
Whether you are buying a brand new car from a dealer that has had some extras added, purchasing a second hand vehicle that has been modified in some way or are modifying your existing car, you need to be aware that you must notify the insurance company you either have or want to arrange cover with. Whilst many of the major motor insurance companies will be happy to provide you with cover, there are some modifications that may mean you need to arrange insurance with a specialist provider.
If you do not notify the insurer of any modifications you could find that, in the event of a claim, it is declined by the insurance company leaving you with a bill of possibly many thousands of pounds to have to find the funds for yourself.
The British Insurers Brokers’ Association (BIBA) in partnership with Ageas has produced a Report On Modified Vehicles document that makes for interesting reading and could prove quite an eye opener for a lot of people. The report can be viewed via the biba.org.uk website but below we mention some of the highlights.
Some insurers take the view that a modification to a car is where the manufacturers’ standard specification has been altered in any way with this also including optional extras that have been fitted to the vehicle either by the dealer or the manufacturer of the car when it was brand new where it results in its appearance, attractiveness, value or performance being improved making it more appealing to thieves. Other insurance companies take the view that a vehicle can be classed as modified if any changes have been made to it since it was originally supplied by the manufacturer of the vehicle.
As an example, if you had expensive leather seats fitted as an optional extra and this increases the value of the car then you should notify the insurer. Most insurers would cover this extra but may result in an increase in premium. However, if you had something fitted or done to the car that improved engine performance then you should be aware that not all insurance companies will consider covering the vehicle so it may be necessary to try to source cover from a specialist insurer. In this case, not only may you have to pay more for the cover but also you may be subject to a higher excess. If you had locking wheel nuts added then it would be a good idea to notify your insurer with most insurance companies finding such a modification acceptable and it is unlikely your premium would increase.
There are so many potential modifications such as a rear spoiler, special paintwork, a badge stating that the performance has been increased, suspension changes, wider wheels and tyres, larger speakers, roll bars, flared wheel arches, engine chip, exhaust system changes and uprating the brakes to name but a few.
If you are considering making any modifications or adding extras to a vehicle or you are aware any have been made or fitted then inform the insurance company or broker no matter how minor they may seem. If you are buying a used car then ask the person who is selling the car if there have been any extras added or if it has been modified in any way. Make sure that any modifications are noted on your insurance documents.
You will be pleased to hear that here at AIB Insurance we have many years experience in arranging specialist cover on modified vehicles. So, why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and speak with a knowledgeable member of our team who will discuss your requirements in detail and do all that he or she can to source suitable competitive cover.
We are pleased to announce that Kitsune Associates Ltd has been added to our closely vetted panel of motor insurance providers. The business has come a long way since it was established as recently as 2016 and forms part of the Brightside Group.
Kitsune Associates, by pure coincidence, is located close to our offices and has a team of individuals who have many years’ experience in the manufacturing and underwriting of insurance products for the motor sector. It is currently focused on car and commercial vehicle products with the aim of producing products that are priced competitively and offer value to the customer
In adding Kitsune Associates to our panel, we believe this will prove to be of benefit to many of our customers looking to insure their motor vehicles as the more options that we have in terms of insurance providers the better for our valued clients.
Kitsune Managing Director Trevor Bowers said “We know and have worked with the team at AIB previously and have always been impressed with the work they do in the Non-standard motor market. We look forward to working closely with the team and joining their panel of carefully selected insurers.”
AIB Branch Manager Kirby De-Gray Birch commented: “We were extremely pleased with the quality of product and professional service we saw from the team at Kitsune Associates. This wasn’t a surprise as our management team have known Trevor (Kitsune Managing Director Trevor Bowers pictured) both on a professional and personal level for many years and even locked horns on the cricket field regularly in the 90’s.”
“They are passionate about providing a high-quality service at a competitive price and together with Bruce (Kitsune Underwriting and Pricing Director Bruce Coxwell), they have assembled an exciting team. Whilst it is early days in our partnership, we are sure that we have made the right decision in adding them to our panel. We look forward to a long and successful business relationship with them for the benefit of all concerned including, of course, our valued customers”.
The motor trade industry has been going through a tough period for quite a long time so it is disappointing to hear that the number of new cars sold here in the UK in October 2019 has fallen for yet another month.
In October 2019, the number of new cars registered amounted to 143,251. In the same month last year, the figure was 153,599. That is a reduction of 10,348 equating to a drop of 6.7%. The sale of new cars for the private sector dropped by 13.2% from 69,225 to 60,083 in October 2019, new fleet car sales saw a minimal rise of 0.3% from 79,703 to 79,912 and the sale of new cars for the business sector dropped significantly by 30.3% from 4,671 to 3,256.
It will probably not be a surprise to read that the sale of new diesel cars dropped by 28.3% from 48,381 in October 2018 to 34,666 in October 2019. New petrol car registrations also dropped by 3.2% from 92,348 to 89,371. Interestingly, the market share for registrations for new alternatively fuelled vehicles in October 2019 was 9.9% compared to 6.9% for the same month last year.
When you look at the figures for the year to date to October 2019, it is also disappointing. Total new car registrations were 2,005,522 compared to 2,064,419 for the same period to October last year with this being a drop of 58,897- a fall of 2.9%.
The top 3 selling new cars in October 2019 were the Ford Fiesta – 5,138, Nissan Qashqai – 4,084 and the Volkswagen Golf – 3,976. The top 3 selling new cars on a year to date basis to October 2019 were the Ford Fiesta – 69,702, Volkswagen Golf – 50,468 and the Ford Focus – 49,517.
Whilst writing, it is worth noting that the number of used cars sold here in the UK for the third quarter of 2019 was 2,076,382 compared to 2,057,457 for the same period last year – an increase of 18,925 equating to a rise of 0.9%. On a year to date basis to 30th September 2019 the number of second hand cars sold was 6,130,762 whereas for the same period last year the figure was 6,182,547 – a drop of 51,785 equating to a fall of 0.8%.
The top 3 selling used cars in the third quarter of 2019 were the Ford Fiesta – 90,428, Vauxhall Corsa – 77,101 and the Ford Focus – 75,093.
The above figures can be found on the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) website.
If you are looking to insure a new or used car, whether it be for the first time or your existing cover is shortly due for renewal, why not get in touch with a friendly, knowledgeable member of our team here at AIB Insurance on 02380 268 351 who will be pleased to discuss your requirements and obtain a no-obligation, competitive quotation from our extensive, closely vetted panel of insurers.
AIB Launch Classic Car Offering
AIB is proud to announce the launch of our non-standard per...
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