Our client (I’ll call him Mr Fish) had arranged property owner’s insurance through us. He had received a letter from his regional water board advising the property was using a lot more water than was expected. This is for the type of building and that it had increased quite suddenly. They advised there would be an engineer sent out to investigate as there must be a leak somewhere. However it could take anything between 4-6 weeks before they could get anyone to come out.
Mr Fish was concerned that the water could be causing more damage than necessary whilst he was waiting. So he got in touch with ourselves to looking at dealing with through his insurance.
We advised him to arrange for an engineer to go out. The leak was detected immediately between the water meter and the stop valve. It was a substantial leak…….he was losing 18 litres of water an hour (which he would be paying for too!)
After a few hours of digging through concrete, the leaky pipe was found. This was covered under the ‘Trace & Access’ clause of his Buildings Policy. The insurance company footed the bill for the investigation work.
This was all done within 7 days of the claim being reported – that’s what you call a fantastic result!
At least Mr Fish hadn’t been trying to fill a swimming pool… though he could’ve have if it had been left to the water board.
Trace & access cover means you are covered to identify the source of a water leak. As well as making sure there is access for it to be fixed (the repair/replacement of the leak source is not covered). It gives peace of mind knowing your insurance can cover this, as generally this could be the most costly part of the job.
No-one wants to have to make car insurance claims. Unfortunately, these things are often out of our control. What is in our control, is our actions towards avoiding such an incident that can result in making a claim.
Continue reading to discover our top 5 tips on how to reduce your chances of an accident, and in turn a claim on your car insurance:
1. Avoid tailgating
Travelling too close to the car in front, otherwise known as tailgating, is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Without leaving an appropriate amount of space between yourself and the car in front, you are putting yourself at greater risk of a collision.
Did you know?
You need at least 3 seconds to react if the car in front of you starts braking suddenly.
It is recommended that you should be able to see the tarmac and back tyres of the car in front, if you cannot, you are too close.
5 benefits of leaving space behind the car in front:
If you are hit from the rear, the space creates a buffer between yourself and the car in front, minimising possible damage
Allows room in case of roll back, if you have stopped on a hill
Leaves room to pull out and move around if the vehicle stalls or breaks down
Enables you to see further up the road
Gives you more margin for error
Be aware
Fraudulent claims are on the rise! Claimants are braking at unusual places, such as roundabouts, causing the vehicle behind to run in to the back of them.
2. Err on the side of caution
“I didn’t see the car until it was too late”
When pulling out of a minor road take the time to check for vehicles on the major road and assess the speed they’re travelling at. One of the most common causes of car accidents is not noticing the oncoming vehicle and/or misjudging the time you have to pull out onto a major road.
This could put you at blame of the car accident!
Before pulling out of a minor road, make sure your windows are clear of condensation or frost and wait until you are absolutely sure that it is safe to move on.
3. Watch your speed
Car accidents caused by travelling too fast for the road conditions are often a result of drivers rushing to their destination. Consider your journey time and plan in advance. Allow plenty of time for your journey, and if you are late – don’t panic! It is far more important that you get to your location safely, rather than timely.
4. Overtaking is overrated
Overtaking another vehicle can be a dangerous manoeuvre to make due to the difficulty in judging the time and space to complete the overtake successfully and safely. The manoeuvre is made even more difficult in certain places such as road junctions or at the brow of a hill.
If you must overtake, follow this advice:
Don’t tailgate
Use your mirrors and check your blind spots if necessary. Signal and when safe to do so then start to move out
Be careful to not immediately follow an overtaking vehicle in front of you, there may only be enough room for one vehicle
Take extra caution at night and in poor visibility. Conditions like these make it harder to accurately judge speed and distance
Think ahead and don’t overtake when there is a possible right turn the vehicle in front might make.
Most importantly, if you are ever in doubt, don’t pull out! In this circumstance, proving the other driver is to blame would be extremely difficult.
5. Don’t leave keys in the car
This may sound like an obvious point to make; nevertheless, it is so easily done.
Have you ever left your keys in your car with the engine running while you were defrosting your windows? Most of us have!
However, if your car is stolen while your keys are inside the vehicle, your insurer will not pay out. Whether you had ‘popped inside’ or ‘turned around for a second’, insurers will find these as insufficient excuses.
How to make car insurance claims
The team at David J Miller Insurance Brokers is on hand to offer help and advice. We can help in presenting your claim to the insurer and move it forward as quickly as possible.
Contact our insurance claim department directly on 01254355175 during office hours, Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm.
Speak to an expert today; we’re always on hand to answer your car insurance FAQ’s.
Do I have to buy car insurance?
This may be one of our most popular car insurance FAQ’s.
In short, if you own a vehicle, it is a legal requirement in the UK to have car insurance.
Failing to insure your vehicle can lead to serious legal repercussions.
Why is car insurance so expensive for young drivers?
This is simply because statistically younger drivers are more likely to get into an accident than those that have years’ experience of driving. However, there are ways to help keep the costs of your premium down if you are a younger driver; one popular option is installing a telematics box into your car that monitors how, where and when you are driving. By selecting a telematics insurance product, you have the opportunity to demonstrate you are a safe driver, which could helping to reduce your premium.
Does my car insurance cover everything?
While it depends on the policy and coverage you have selected, even the most comprehensive car insurance will not cover everything. At David J Miller Insurance Broker, our team of experts pride themselves on being able to find comprehensive and competitive policies suitable for your needs at that time, however, there can sometimes be some exclusions, restrictions limits to a policy. Our team will work with your needs and budget in mind to find the best fit.
Can my insurer change my policy whenever they want?
Insurers can change a policy mid-term within reason. However, your insurer is obliged to inform you in advance before any changes can be made to your policy.
Usually your insurer will try to reach you through one of these methods of communication:
Phone
Email
Letter
Through your broker
Insuring through David J Miller Insurance Broker means that you can be confident we will inform you of any changes or updates to your policy as and when they may occur. We guarantee to do our very best to keep your policy premium as low as possible, allowing you to carry on with day-to-day life knowing your insurance is in safe hands.
What is a no claims bonus?
Otherwise known as a ‘no claims discount’, a no claims bonus is a discount accumulated over up to 15 consecutive years that the policyholder goes without making any claims. This discount can be taken across insurers, you just need your no claims bonus proof and the renewal notice from your previous insurer.
Will I lose my no claims bonus after making a non-fault claim?
Positively, submitting a non-fault claim should not affect your no claims bonus and you should be able to continue accumulating your discount.
Will my insurance premium be affected after making a non-fault claim?
It is extremely probable that your premium can be affected following a non-fault claim, for example, if someone hits you while you are driving to work.
This being said, a non-fault claim should not normally affect your car insurance premium as much as an at-fault claim.
How can I prevent an insurance claim?
Accidents where you cannot prove the other party are to blame cost your money!
Should you need to make an insurance claim, our team will be on hand to offer insurance claim help and advice on the best way to present your claim to the insurer and move the claim forwards as quickly as possible.
Contact our insurance claim department directly on 01254355175 during office hours, Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm.
Should you be involved in a car accident you can call our 24-hour motor accident helpline on 03435065794.
What makes David J Miller Insurance Brokers better than the well-known comparison sites?
At David J Miller, we look at things differently. We’ve seen all the television adverts and comparison websites, and we’ve decided that our customers deserve more. As a trusted and renowned name in motor insurance, you can rest assured as our insurance team has access to some of the UK’s top independent motoring insurance policies.
We understand that your car is your pride and joy. That is why alongside access to fantastic rates and competitive deals, we provide a first-class customer experience.
Haven’t found the answer you were looking for?
We are happy to help with any car insurance FAQ’s you may have, no matter how big or small!
Contact us and speak to a member of our friendly team today.
As the number of motorhome thefts increases each year and thieves become more innovative in their tactics, it’s so important to ensure you stay up to date with the latest security measures and advice.
Here at David J Miller Insurance Brokers, we understand that your motorhome is your pride and joy. We want you to be able to enjoy your motorhome fully without worry of leaving it unattended. Your motorhome is made for exploration, not for being stuck on the driveway out of fear of taking it elsewhere.
With this in mind, let’s explore 10 ways you can protect yourself from motorhome theft:
1. Tracking devices
In the event of your motorhome being stolen, having a high-quality tracking device fitted could mean the difference in recovering your stolen motorhome or not. While it may seem tempting to save a few pennies and go for the cheapest tracker available, investing in your security means investing in your peace of mind.
Insurance tip
Some insurance companies have now made it mandatory to have a Thatcham Research or Sold Secure approved tracker installed. Which can significantly increase the chances of recovery following theft, whilst upholding the security of your motorhome.
2. Take measures to prevent motorhome theft
While installing security measures around your motorhome such as steering wheel locks, gear locks, clutch claws and wheel clamps increases the overall safety of your vehicle, they also act as effective visual deterrents.
3. Protect your keys
Although this may seem like an obvious point, how many of us have left our vehicles running or with the keys in the ignition while we ‘popped’ in somewhere? It is always better to err on the side of caution by removing keys from the ignition. We also recommend to avoid leaving them lying around the motorhome. Insurers are unlilkley to pay out in the event of a claim where keys have been left in an unattended vehicle.
Safety tip
Consider storing your keys in a secure pouch to protect against keyless entry and loss of keys.
4. Immobiliser
While some motorhomes come with an immobiliser already installed, it is crucial to ensure your vehicle is equipped with one. An immobiliser can protect your vehicle from moving once turned off, even in the event of being hot-wired by a thief without a key.
Insurance tip
Make sure your immobiliser is Thatcham category 1 in order to meet most insurance requirements.
5. Alarms
The installation of a motorhome alarm can be one of the simplest yet most effective deterrents of theft. Whilst most motorhomes now-a-days come with an alarm already installed, it’s important to ensure your vehicle is equipped with one.
Safety tip
Find out whether your vehicle has an immobiliser and alarm in your vehicle handbook.
6. Security cameras
While the installation of security cameras may not prevent the act of motorhome theft, they are hugely beneficial in helping to figure out who is responsible for it.
7. Enhanced door security
As most motorhomes are built with lightweight bodies, upgrading the security of your motorhome doors can greatly help prevent thieves from using simple tools like screwdrivers or lock picking devices to gain entry to your vehicle.
8. Safes
Unsure of where is best to store your valuables such as money and jewellery? Investing in a safe to store in your motorhome can help add another layer of security to your vehicle, especially when travelling for long periods of time.
Safety tip
It is recommended to not take valuable or sentimental possessions on trips as thefts from campsites can occur frequently.
9. Display deterrent signs
Displaying deterrent signs and stickers of the security measures in place in the window of your motorhome acts as an effective warning to prevent potential thieves.
10. Find motorhome insurance that protects you
We have the privileged position to not only offer access to fantastic rates and competitive motorhome insurance deals from our panel of some of the the UK’s leading motorhome insurers, we also guarantee a first-class customer experience with our friendly and personal team.
Be confident that your home on wheels is competitively and comprehensively insured and protected with David J Miller Insurance Brokers.
Safety tip
Although it’s imperative you get insurance cover for your motorhome, it is just as important to ensure you put the necessary security measures in place to prevent theft of/from your motorhome.
Looking for the best quote on your motorhome insurance?
Find out how we can help! Call us now for a no obligation quote or advice on insurance for your motor home.
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