COVERPOINT – JULY 2016

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL………….

In a career of over 30 years as an insurance broker, one of the most significant changes I have seen is the breakdown in the traditional client relationship with “our insurance broker”. Thanks to the availability of insurance online, and the growth of call centres, many people no longer have a long term relationship with an insurance professional as they would have years ago.

This gives us an opportunity to make the case for the services of a good broker all over again, though. Especially as clients don’t have any particularly strong bond with their present insurance provider. Let me list some of the benefits:

  1. You will always deal with an experienced, dedicated contact – not a youngster in a call centre
  2. You will deal with someone you’ve met – and who you know, like and trust
  3. You deal with somebody who takes a genuine interest in you
  4. You deal with someone who is available 7 days a week, not just Monday to Friday
  5. We look after your interests at all times
  6. You support a fellow local business through dealing with us – isn’t that what you would like others to do for you ?
  7. You get the best advice, based on our skill and experience – you’re never just a number to us
  8. We go the extra mile in giving unbeatable service
  9. But we also find you the best prices – every year, not just at the start

Call me today on 01483 548662 and see how Clifford Lane Associates can help you too ! See our Testimonials page for proof of how we look after other, valued clients.

 

BEEN ANYWHERE NICE ON YOUR HOLIDAYS ?

As we’re approaching the peak holiday season, a timely reminder to consult Clifford Lane Associates before arranging travel insurance. There are many pitfalls in taking the cheapest, budget option online or from a tour oiperator.

Issues to watch for this Summer are:

  1. Is the Personal Effects cover adequate, particularly for Jewellery and Valuables ? Does the excess negate a large part of your claim ?
  2. Please check carefully whether the destination you’re heading for is classified as Europe or Worldwide – insurers are changing these without making it clear

 

For immediate advice, please call on 01483 548662 – we can offer both Single Trip or Annual cover.

 

CAR INSURANCE FOR YOUR TEENAGE CHILDREN

All parents must dread teenagers reaching their 17th birthday, as car insurance is just so expensive, especially for young men. Even though this is based firmly on their claims record, it’s no consolation if you’re asked for a four figure sum to either add them to your policy, or insure them in their own name.

And you can forget trying to insure a car in your own name – or your wife’s – when it’s really the youngster’s car. Insurance companies know all the tricks, and failure to disclose the real main user could result in payment of a claim being refused, leaving you personally liable for any injury or damage.

The only way to reduce these costs is to accept the pain of insuring in their own name, as the accumulation of No Claim Discount over a 2-3 year period will make a huge impact on the cost.

Further help is now at hand, as well, through the use of telematics – in car technology like your Tom Tom, which records and reports on driving data, such as speed, cornering and braking. With restrictions on late night driving, this has enabled insurers to reward good driving skill with lower premiums, and identify bad driving for the opposite reason.

On an amusing note, however, I was discussing this very subject with a client recently, who told me that his daughter had this technology, and it gave a very poor report of driving too fast and braking too late on one particular journey. Just as he was set to admonish her, she pointed out that, on the evening in question, her Dad had borrowed her car !!

AND FINALLY….

Sue owned a storage place and one day it burned down, so she called the insurance company.

She said, “I had that storage place insured for sixty thousand pounds and I want my money.”

The agent replied, “Well just a minute, Ma’am, because unfortunately it doesn’t work quite like that. First, we will determine the value of the old store and provide you with a new one of equivalent value.”

Sue paused for a minute and then said, “Well, if that’s is the case, I’d like to cancel the policy on my husband!”

Nigel Smith