New Continuos car insurance law, how will it affect my traders policy

dacouch

Sally_A wrote: »

If you are car sales only, guess you have £2500 tools tops so not really relevant.

Salvage merchant selling parts and repairing written off cars to sell, will be more than that I would think

JPS29

Yes Dacouch you're right.
Ramps, Dozer. porta power, diagnostics, compressor, tyre machine, air tools, paint tools, normal sockets tools etc
I wish they had only cost me 2.5k;)

Sally_A

Ramps, compressors etc come under machinery plant and all other contents (MPAOC). Portable Hand Tools are those in your "snap on" box. Depending on the insurer, some include the cost of the toolbox in that, others don't.

Unsure which part of the country you are in, but round here PHT's rate is around £18 per £1000, variable by security discounts or loaded by dodgy areas.

JPS29

Business premises is in WA9 postcode. I am about to have CCTV installed, floodlights and an upgraded alarm. I have roller shutters, one manual/chain operated (the loading area one) and one key operated(the main door) I also have a ram barrrier but have not yet installed it, dont know if it makes any diff to quote...

dacouch

They will look at the overall risk of of a claim, which includes the construction of the premises, post code, type of business, value of equipment etc etc.

If you have more than a certain amount of portable hand tools the Insurers will probably want them securely chained to the floor / wall or locked in an internal room with suitable security.

It's generally the portable hand tools that are most attractive to a thief.

When an Insurer assesses the risk, they won't neccessarily take into account certain security measures you have taken but they all help for an Insurer to work out whether you proactively look to reduce claims. It's amazing how many people think a claim won't happen to them and don't take preparations. They are the ones it tends to happen to.

It would be worth you looking at backing up your business records at regular intervals and keeping them off site. I've dealt with MT clients whose garage has burnt totally to the ground (Literally) imagine if that happened to you as a worst case scenario and make a few plans on what you would do to carry on the business and what preparations you can make eg as above a back up off site and keeping good records of your stock and debts owed (Again back ups off site).

You need to also need to plan what security you will have for your car keys, as modern cars are very difficult to steal without the keys thieves often target motor traders. This can be in the form of distracting staff either at the counter or on test drives, grabbing the keys over the counter or breaking in at night. An Insurer will often look for you to lock the keys in a safe, take them home or have a suitable key safe (And use the key safe during the day).

It's worth also planning for thieves simply walking into your workshop while your under a car and stealing your jacket or lap top or what ever is to quickly to hand. I've seen quite a few of these lately, these can be avoided with a bit of thought

Sally_A

Agree with what Dacouch has written above - the more you can show you are proactive in reducing risk, the better any surveyor will view the premises. Key security is a must these days, whether they are in a strong key box in an alarmed area, or an underground floor safe - even better take them home with you and fit a safe in your house.

You mention anti ram raid posts against the roller shutters; what exactly will you be protecting inside the building if your sales stock is left outside?

Should you get a good quote with Allianz ask about their Partnership Plus incentive, they will generally pay 50% towards improvements up to approx £250. A lot of brokers are unaware of this benefit. They also have good deals with Securikey key safes, they are pricey, but allianz can get you about a 1/3rd off.

They would require toolboxes to be fitted to the fabric of the building outside of business hours, this also includes chaining them to the leg of a ramp, but they will require them to be up to Sold Secure standard; personally I would rather see a tool box up against a wall and between bench space with a chain or a bar coming over the front of the box to prevent the tool drawers being emptied.

Thieves are aware they have approx 10 minutes in a Redcare protected building before the Police will turn up; so look over with a burglars eye and see what you could nick in 10 minutes.

JPS29

Sally_A wrote: »

You mention anti ram raid posts against the roller shutters; what exactly will you be protecting inside the building if your sales stock is left outside?

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Cheers for the replies and advice.
I'm in the garage all the time through the day and when Im not its locked so an opportunist wouldnt really have much chance. Its not like a main dealer showroom where someone can just walk in. Also all my vehicles are brought in the building of a night, none are left out.

installer_2

I buy and sell cars but do not register them in my name or address,,,with this new insurance law can i just declare them sorn even though they are not in my name?...ps.....i dont even drive cars i just buy them (delivered to me) ,then sell them.

sabz3008

installer wrote: »

I buy and sell cars but do not register them in my name or address,,,with this new insurance law can i just declare them sorn even though they are not in my name?...ps.....i dont even drive cars i just buy them (delivered to me) ,then sell them.

Yes, you can declare them SORN...

But remember what SORN means,

Statutory OFF ROAD notification, therefore your vehicle must be OFF-ROAD and not on any public road at all, or any land which requires display of a tax-disc such as council housing estates.


*Just realised, this is my 200th Post and I am now officially a MoneySaving Stalwart, WEHEY! *