Taxi companies normally hire highly skilled drivers to ferry passengers from one point to another. They operate for many hours every single day of the year to ensure that the public has access to taxi services when needed. Running a taxi business that has numerous cabs and many cab drivers 365 days each year requires a great deal of management and co-ordination. One of the most important aspects of managing a taxi company is finding the best taxi fleet insurance for your business. Ideally, the cover should be cheap but with a wide coverage.

Most insurance policies for taxi companies cover both large and small taxi companies. These policies also cover home operators and contract work. Apart from existing drivers, these policies will also cover new drivers.

Taxi fleet insurance does not have to be expensive. There are many ways of reducing premiums. For instance, you can get lower rates if you build up a descent track record. A clean record will qualify your company for No Claims Bonus savings over time, as you build history and a clean record. This may translate into savings of between 20 to 60 percent.

The experience of your drivers will also qualify you for some discounts. Experienced drivers are less likely to cause accidents, so insurers will lower premiums based on the experience of your drivers. However, drivers need to carry taxi badges issued by the local authority. This badge shows the number of years that a cab driver has been working in the city.

Restricted driving can also lower the amount of money you will pay for taxi fleet insurance policies for your company. Most companies will offer lower rates to business owners who reduce and restrict the amount of drivers per policy.

You can also lower costs by considering voluntary access. While this may lower your premiums significantly, you may have problems when you make a claim.

The following are some attributes of a good taxi fleet insurance policy:
•   Unlimited windscreen cover
•   From one year onwards a protected no-claims bonus
•   Complete accident management and free 50,000 pounds legal expenses cover
•   Free roadside assistance 24 hours a day
•   Free coverage for spouse when using the vehicle for social purposes only, however, the council will have to approve this

Apart from the benefits mentioned above, there are many others that can be added to your taxi fleet insurance by a reputable insurance provider or broker. These benefits will protect you and give you peace of mind as you continue with your work.

On 1st April 2012 the British Government makes a range of budget decisions which will affect fleets.  Cover 4 Fleet Insurance examines one of these important cuts – the annual investment allowance reduction from £100,000 to £25,000.

Any business who invests more than £25,000 in machinery or plant will be affected by this UK government measure.  The intended objective of this measure is to re-focus the simplification and cash flow benefits which are offered on smaller business entities.  It is part of the overall phased reduction in the main rate of CT (corporate tax), which aims to promote a competitive corporate tax system which should support long term economic growth and enterprise.

In April 2008 Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) replaced the previous capital allowance system.  It basically gives a one hundred per cent first-year allowance for business expenditure on all assets which can be categorised as plant and machinery, which includes commercial vehicles.   This will change on April 1 2012.

On 1st April 2012 the AIA allowance will drop to £25,000 from the previous £100,000.  So instead of any vans/vehicles which fall into the category of plant and machinery, which had been acquired, being written off against tax up to £100,000, this will reduce down to £25,000.

Once this comes into force, those businesses that do invest over £25,000 on plant and machinery will however continue to be eligible for writing down allowances, which will be 185 and 8% from April 2012.

The OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) assessed the impacts of these measures and they found that the cuts in corporate tax rates more than offset the investment allowance reductions.  They concluded that the reform package would promote higher levels of business investment than previously would have been the case.

However they also stated that smaller businesses would suffer from less adverse effects than larger businesses.  There will be extra administrative costs for bigger businesses.

To see the government budget update document which has more detailed information on this measure, please click on fleet budget measures 2012.

While searching for the most cost-effective and efficient, yet practicable, fleet insurance quotes for your business, the following information should assist. By understanding what components an insurance agency examines, you will be able to learn what modifications you should and could make regarding your company’s fleet management so that it develops into a better insurance possibility.

1. Company fleet insurance is examined in the subsequent manners:

•        The amount of automobiles your company will wish to insure under the fleet insurance policy

•        How old the automobiles are

•        What engine kinds and models each vehicle is

•        How old are the auto drivers who drive your company vehicles

•        How much driving experience does each individual have?

•        Does each automobile have its own security devices within it?

•        Are the automobiles stored in a garage or do the automobiles stay outside all year?

1. The quantity of cars and trucks will normally influence what you pay for company fleet insurance. However, for your own mental sanity, it might be better to include every vehicle within the business on your fleet insurance policy.

1. The make and model of each automobile, as well as each one’s engine type and age, will influence what you pay for company fleet insurance premiums as well. Make sure you keep your coverage current and keep in mind that in every class, there is one make and/or model that is considered the best, as far as environmentally friendly automobiles are concerned. Lists of such cars and trucks can be located on the web site for the “ACT ON CO2”, which is useful, in the end, for a cost-effective company fleet insurance rate, which is generally a part of a company’s operation costs.

1. The experience as well as the age of your company drivers is an aspect you can save some money on too. If you hire individuals who are thirty or older and who have excellent driving histories, you will spend less on fleet insurance. As the amount of additionally experienced drivers rise, you will notice that your business fleet coverage expense will lower as well. Keep in mind that if you happen to own a higher classed or sport-type vehicle, make sure you impose a voluntary limitation for such automobiles. That will help you save additional money.

1. Cars and trucks with security devices within them are essential both on a daily basis but additionally as a portion of your effort to lower your fleet coverage for the business, the expense aspect of the fleet insurance. If your vehicles have devices such as immobilizers, security alarms, anti-thefts gadgets and tracking equipment, you will pay less for company fleet insurance premiums in the end. In unison, the insurance companies will offer you additional coverage for your business automobiles.

1. The area in which you store each vehicle is an additional vital parameter. Realistically, the vehicles ought to be stored in a garage or other protective shelter, because, clearly ones that are kept outside will encounter higher risks, such as vandalism or natural accidents like fallen trees and so on. This part is an additional piece of advice that will help you lower the expense of having company fleet insurance.

Understanding the essential components of fleet insurance for a business offers you the power you require to prepare for forthcoming months and years, particularly regarding making the “Go Green transformation” that businesses nowadays cannot ignore. Alternatively, each company should consider some form of fleet insurance, especially for safeguarding assets and making certain the company operates successfully for many years.

The following are some expert steps, from Cover 4 Fleet Insurance, to give you the chance to save thousands of pounds on your company’s fleet insurance premiums.  It helps you see fleet insurance as an insurer does, so this is how you can save money.

Vehicles depending on your business can be an important or vital part of your business.  And maintaining your fleet for day to day operations is a vital part of operations. With that one necessary cost is fleet insurance which is large but needed item for your business to run efficiently.

In today’s business environment it is necessary to look at all expenses for today, 2012 and beyond.  That includes fleet costs and fleet insurance which depending on the company may not be analyzed for its efficiency.  To help the business an active examination of the parts that go into fleet operation and insurance as well as brainstorming creative alternatives is needed.

Taking pro active steps for incidents, accidents and insurance

Most businesses have had a reactive response to incidences relating to vehicles in their fleet. The problem with this approach is you have the cost of vehicle repair along with extra expenses that can be multiples of the real damage. So if you have £1000-£2000 in vehicle repair you could have over £10,000 in additional cost.

Being active in this area though is a way for companies to save a large amount of money in fleet expenses. Drivers factor in to being the main cause of around 55 to 58 accidents. And they are one of the major factors in about 87 percent of all accidents.

The three factors that affect insurance claims: road, vehicle and behaviour

When a vehicle insurance claim is made there are three major points that are considered in determining costs involved. Those points are:

• Road conditions around the time of the incident
• The condition of the vehicle before and after the accident
• The behaviour of the operator prior to and during the episode

As the manager of the vehicles you can keep the vehicles in the best possible condition which takes care of one point.  Road conditions are out of your control but can be offset by proper vehicle care.

The last point of driver and driving behaviour can be changed to help cut the amount of accidents a year. Programs can be set up to train the operator in proper techniques and encourage correct driving. By combining driver training and proper upkeep of the existing and future vehicles costs with vehicles and insurance can be minimized.

To save on future fleet insurance expenses for 2012 steps should be taken to improve these points today.  These can lower your costs and improve overall efficiency of your operation.

Examine your choices in the insurance market for the best current choice

Fleet managers should always be looking for new providers for their fleet insurance.  There is always the possibility of finding a better rate and package for your company.  It also may offer leverage with your current company to provide a better rate or expanded service.

Strict rules should be placed to enforce and encourage safe driving of company vehicles. When you encourage activity that discourages accidents you lower premiums in the long run. Vehicles should also be reviewed so when replacements are made you should pick from those that are preferred by insurance companies so you do not give them any reason to raise rates do to vehicle choice.

Fleet insurance is a need for business if you use vehicles. Companies can take a more proactive stance though to lower rates and costs related to this cost.  Reviewing choices, actively encouraging and reinforcing safety in driving behaviour and picking the best options in current and future vehicles can decrease future costs in premiums and reduce future claims.

Fleet insurance is a necessary expense for running a business that uses vehicles. It is legally required and not having the proper insurance or proper amount can lead to problems.  But steps can be taken to get the best deals and prevent its use to increase the productivity of your business.

About Cover 4 Fleet Insurance

Cover 4 Fleet Insurance, is part of Alan Blunden Insurance Brokers, a family insurance business set up over sixty years ago.

As a family business which has expanded and grown successfully over the years, Cover 4 Fleet Insurance is very competitive when it comes to commercial fleet insurance.  They have a dedicated team who will work on your behalf to find the best balance between the right cover and a low cost taxi fleet insurance policy.

People in the market for buying fleet insurance might be doing some fleet insurance comparison shopping. This type of insurance coverage does have certain requirements people need to meet. In order to obtain car fleet insurance the person must own at least three vehicles. The reasoning for this is the price paid for premiums, which would usually be less if there were fewer vehicles and the owner bought individual policies.

There are several factors which group certain areas in this type of insurance together. These groups can include the age of the drivers, the coverage the person is looking to obtain and any modifications or additions to a policy.

The Driver’s Age

When selecting people to drive the vehicles, owners should consider the groups the ages fall into for insurance purposes. These groups include the following divisions:

* An individual over thirty with a valid driver’s license

* An individual over twenty-five with a valid driver’s license

* An individual over twenty-one with a valid driver’s license

As a business grows, they might increase the number of cars they have in their fleet. The greater the number of cars covered in this policy, the greater the savings to the owner. People who have a larger number of their drivers in the older age group will also receive more savings than those with drivers who are younger.

The types of cars included in a fleet can also affect the premiums of a policy. Owners of fleets with sports cars or luxury vehicles might benefit from restricting the age of the drivers allowed to operate these cars.

Types of Coverage

When looking for a policy there are several options available to choose from. The following are the standard groups for coverage:

* Full comprehensive

* Third party with no inclusions

* Third party with inclusions for theft and fire

Additional Coverage Options:

* Coverage for breakdowns

* Coverage for windscreens

* Extensions for courtesy cars

* Expenses for legal purposes

When obtaining fleet insurance the owner needs to declare what the vehicles will be used for. It is not advisable to exclude services in the attempt to lower a premium. This could result in loss of coverage when it is needed. The use of a vehicle will also fall into different categories, which will affect the type of coverage it should have.

These categories include the following:

* Haulage of products and goods

* Carrying goods belonging to the owner

* Carrying goods deemed hazardous

* Use for airport delivery or pick-up

* Use by private or public organizations

* Use for social or domestic pleasure trips

* Business use including SD&P

Taking all of the groups into consideration will allow the owner to purchase the best type of car fleet insurance for their needs.

Keeping your fleet up and running is a major necessity for many businesses. In some cases, depending on the industry your company is involved in, your vehicles may be your livelihood, and without them business would grind to a halt. Unfortunately, fleet insurance can be a rather large yet unavoidable expense, added on top of the other expenses involved in fleet management.

With the economy still riding on a rollercoaster, if there was ever an important time to get things right financially, now is it.  Therefore looking forward to 2012 and beyond, the cost of fleet insurance and the other elements of running a fleet taking a creative, in-depth look at the fleet is what is most likely to help.

Fleet Insurance, Incidents And Accidents-Take A Pro-Active Approach

The real cost of an accident can range between anywhere from 3 times to 10 times the actual cost of repair.  Traditionally companies have waited until an accident happens before dealing with underlying causes as well as the expenses incurred.

However taking a pro-active approach can save companies very significant amounts of money.  It has been proven that 87% of accidents have some influence due to driver factors, but a whopping 57% of accidents can be entirely attributed to driver factors.

Fleet Insurance Reality-Vehicle, Driving Behaviour And Road

Actually the three main elements involved in the reality of when your fleet insurance has to pay out due to an accident are the vehicle itself, the driver’s behaviour and the road.

As a fleet manager you cannot do much about the condition of a road, but you can ensure the best practices in choice of vehicles, keeping the vehicles safely maintained and making sure you keep records of all of these factors.

Yet, last but very definitely not least, is the driving behaviour.  This is an area where numerous studies have proved that there is normally scope for huge improvements.  As a fleet manager by focusing on this and the other elements you will save significant amounts of money on both the fleet insurance premium and other elements of the fleet costs.

If you are looking to save a bit on your fleet insurance 2012 bill, you might want to consider undertaking a few quick money saving precautions. While these precautions will not save you from actually having to pay the relevant insurance costs, they will help you to bring down your costs and keep your company operating profitably.

Shop Around Once You Are In A Stronger Position

Perhaps the best way to keep your fleet insurance costs is by shopping for a new company. You may be able to find a better rate, but the fact that you are looking may prompt your current insurer to offer you a better deal.

Next, try to impose fairly strict safety regulations on your drivers; strict safety means fewer accidents and fewer accidents means a lower premium. Finally, consider taking the time to find out which vehicles are cheapest to insure – if you are thinking about upgrading, you may want to look at those shipping vehicles that have the least cause for raising fleet insurance rates.

Your fleet insurance costs are a necessity of doing business. If you can shop around, encourage your employees to be safe, and make sure that any new purchases will cause fairly little alarm for the insurance company and you may find that you can reduce the overall cost of this expense.

Remember that it is absolutely necessary to have fleet insurance, and that operating without such insurance can lead to a number of major problems. Finding a low price is a great way to avoid this temptation, and finding a great policy at a low price is the best way to keep your fleet operational.

The Skoda Fabia Greenline ll is an extension of the Volkswagen collection. There are some noticeable features included in the Skoda Greenline ll.  This classic minivan is loaded with a 3 cylinder, five speed Turbo diesel engine which gets more than 83 miles to the gallon. It has 15 inch tires, and a fuel saving alternator which is designed to limit the amount of wear and tear that is placed on the engine.  It is spacious, fashionable and drives like a sewing machine. The roomy hatch allows enough space for several large suitcases to be nicely tucked away with plenty of room to spare.

Traffic in certain parts of London is quite congested; therefore, speed, comfort and dependability are factors to consider. These reasons alone are why millions of people choose the Skoda as their first choice.  Advanced technology and green innovations has implemented great features in the production and manufacturing of the Skoda Fabia Greenline ll. No other vehicle offers so much in the areas of high performance and good gas mileage.

Skoda Fabia Greenline ll Benefits and Specifications

•        Cost less than £14,000

•        Speed amount up to 107 miles per hour

•        Gets up to 83.1 miles to the gallon

•        3 cylinder turbo diesel engine

•        5 speed

•        Hatchback

•        Special designed fuel saving alternator

•        Loaded interior with leather steering wheel

•        Chrome exterior on wheels and vehicle

•        Cruise control

•        Bluetooth capabilities

•        Name brand (Sony) stereo system with UBS  support

•        Automatic wipers and lights

•        Alloy tires

Skoda Fabia Greenline II Fleet Review

The Skoda Fabia Greenline II has captured the attention of car owners, fleet drivers and car makers worldwide. This vehicle has advanced features such as engine start and stop, and an awesome recovery system. This vehicle has been tested inside and outside of the lab and has proven to do what is has been designed to do and more. Since its debut in 2007 the Skoda has not failed to deliver on comfort, style, and dependability.  It is spacious enough to comfortably seat four adults and provides ample foot room as well.

How many miles per gallon a driver can get from the vehicle, depends solely on the driving habits of the owner. Miles per gallon will vary in cases where there are fast and moderate drivers. The fact that the Skoda Fabia can reach speeds up to 107 miles per hour may be very tempting for some drivers.

Cover 4 Fleet Insurance, the UK fleet insurance specialist, publish some useful tips to help companies keep their fleet insurance costs lower.

There are a number of practices that you can adopt to lower the costs associated with fleet insurance.  Some fleets feel under too much pressure to start to integrate these practices.  If you feel you may fall into this category, pay attention to the sections below, as they will give you some useful tips on how you can save more money on your fleet insurance policy, whilst over time preventing costly accidents and wear and tear on fleet vehicles.

Fleet Insurance Costs And Driver Training Programs

Fleet driving training companies offer programs where you can train professional drivers.  This works really well for those with commercial policies, where other drivers would have to be covered.  However, to get the most out of this program, you will want to train drivers who already have good driving records.  If they have already gone through a professional program, this would be an added plus.

Granted, you will have to pay to participate in this program.  However, it is a very worthwhile investment.  It will lower your fleet insurance premiums while preventing accidents in the future.   If your drivers know how to handle themselves on the road, it is unlikely that you will ever have to file a claim on your policy.

In fact, most of the managers at Fleet insurance will want all of your drivers to enrol in their program.  By taking this approach, they ensure that everyone on your team has the necessary skills to become a safe driver.  In turn, they lessen their chances of having to process a claim in the future.

Why Record Keeping Matters With Fleet Insurance

You should record anything that happens while your drivers are on the road.  Otherwise, even the smallest of accidents could delay the filing of your claim.

The last thing you want is to lose money due to poor record keeping.   So, no matter how tedious it may seem, make a log of what happens when you or your employees go out driving.  Also remember that if you get repairs under your insurance policy, you will end up spending less money.

Ultimately, you want to keep tabs on your situation.  This goes beyond you and your drivers, as you should also be on top of best fleet driving practices themselves.  Every six months or so, call your manager and see if they are offering any special deals.  Sometimes a new promotion could save an existing customer hundreds of dollars on their policy.  However, you will have to call and ask, as sometimes promotions are not openly advertised.

With that being said, if you are paying too much for your fleet insurance, go on and call your provider anyhow to see what you can do about it.  Have them go through all your records to see if you are eligible for a discount.  If not, tell them that you want to enrol your drivers in Fleet Drivers Training course.  By making this move, you will be taking one of the most important steps towards keep the cost of fleet insurance lower than before and not only that but these practices improve the overall fleet driving performance.

Sitting pretty as one of the more desirable green car options, the Fiesta ECOnetic has marked out its reputation as providing economy whilst not compromising on comfort and fun.  Now this has been improved upon even further with some tweaks which have resulted in a boost to the fuel economy, with emissions cut down further.

Ford appreciates that there are numerous drivers who wish to drive cars with lower emissions but don’t want to miss out on performance, comfort and an affordable price tag, has made several changes to the Ford Fiesta Econetic range.

Up until the range was extended the Econetic was offered in Edge trim but now the Zetec and Titanium Econetic offer varying degrees of luxury.  As you would expect the Econetic range still includes the basics such as air-conditioning, stability control and electric front windows.

However the Zetec Econetic offers a host of chrome exterior finishes, alloy wheels, ambient lighting, front fog lamps and a leather steering wheel.  The Titanium Econetic turns up the luxury a notch more with cruise controls, climate controls, automatic wipers, automatic lights as well a Sony stereo complete with a USB port, Bluetooth and DAB.

The stereo can be incorporated into the Zetec for a charge of £400 extra.  Also two new colours have been added to the range; Fashionista and Mars Red.

Some Ford Fiesta Econetic Statistics

• Price: £13,895 (Price from – £13,895 to £16,245)
• CO2 emissions: 95g/km
• Combined fuel economy: 78.5mpg
• Exempt from road tax and London congestion charge

Ford Fiesta Econetic Fleet UK-Some Fleets Which Use The Econetic

One of the most fuel efficient five-seater cars, it has been chosen by energy firm E.ON who took a delivery of 340 new Ford Fiesta Econetics, and given that they are a company of energy advisers their choice of vehicle should indeed be in tune with the ethos of their business.

The latest UK blue chip to be enticed by the low operating costs is the National Grid. In September 2011 Ford happily reported that the National Grid was taking a delivery of 80 Ford Fiesta Econetics.

The CityCarClub added some Ford Fiesta Econetics to their fleet to replace some vehicles.  Green Motion, Europe’s first environmentally friendly car/vehicle rental company also use Ford Fiesta Econetics as part of their fleet.

Driving The Ford Fiesta Econetic

It is a very enjoyable drive around town, it feels responsive and its tight turning circle makes it a fun town car.  It has sharp steering and balanced handling which means once you’re going a bit faster it can be even more fun.  It is a very good motorway car also, giving a slick ride.

Inside The Ford Fiesta Econetic

The mobile phone inspired dashboard, funky styling and soft touch coverings make it quite classy and tactile inside.  The Sony stereo with its shiny black finish gives the interior an added lift.

Some rivals outdo the Econetic on versatility and space, however there is a good enough sized boot and enough space for 4 tall adults.  It has a nice driving position as well as plenty of adjustment for the steering wheel and seat, so you’ll definitely find that perfect position.

The Ford Fiesta Econetic takes the 11th place in this top 11 fleet UK eco-economical list, which combines the environmental aspects and economical qualities of the cars reviewed.

Cover 4 Fleet Insurance has recently added a new member to their team in order to expand upon their numerous years of success.

Alan Blunden Insurance Brokers / Cover 4 Fleet Insurance are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Searcy DIP CII. Mark’s primary focus is to build on the already successful motor fleet business and to expand our market share in this area.

Mark has enjoyed over 20 years in the insurance industry and has held positions such as Underwriting Manager and Sales Director. Mark comments “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with people who are committed to putting customers first and who will stop at nothing to offer clients the best insurance deal possible.  I see the internet as being instrumental in moving fleet insurance forward and am looking forward to working with such a dedicated team.”

Alan Blunden Insurance Brokers is an established independent insurance broker and has built up a significant book of business in the fleet market place. We use many of the major insurance companies and with access into the Lloyd’s markets; there are not many risks we cannot place.

Our expertise with fleet insurance and our high detail to our clients’ requirements makes us a perfect choice. We not only attempt to find the most competitive and comprehensive cover for our clients, we interact with our clients and it is this that makes us a cut above the rest and makes our clients insure with us year after year.

Mark is passionate about his role at Cover 4 Fleet Insurance, one of the Cover 4 trading styles of Alan Blunden Insurance Brokers.  One of his passions out of working hours is his boat and he can be spotted out on the water and in the marina!