Firstly you should make sure that the policy you choose have a good reputation.  They should have good experience, enabling you to get the best possible price, cover and also advice.

Most people tend to use specialist taxi insurance brokers, as they are usually the ones to give you the best quote possible.  You should be trying to find a quote which offers extras for example: breakdown cover, or a replacement car in the event of a crash, you can be back on the roads as quickly as possible.

Your insurance must cover your passengers not just yourself.  This is for the unfortunate event of a crash injuring your passengers; you will not want to be liable for any legal claim they could make if anything should happen on the journey.  If you can find a quote that has legal expense covered too, as this will mean you are well prepared for any claims against yourself.

As with anything, you will need to read the small print so you can understand exactly what is covered and what is not within your policy.  Your taxi insurance is highly likely to be more expensive than regular car insurance, as you are using your car as a business and carrying passengers around, but this does not mean you can not search for a better or cheaper deal.

If you have completed all of the above, you can be safe in the knowledge that you are covered fully, for any outcome that you may face whilst working.

Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33762104@N00/4790358418/

Although they appear to be quite expensive, you are probably less likely to be in danger when in a licensed black cab – all black cabs are licensed with the driver required to pass a criminal records check.

Sadly, the very people who are likely to chance travelling in an unlicensed cab  – passengers travelling alone, who may not be able to afford a full fare – are the most at risk.

When riding in a London taxi, next time request a receipt and you should notice a note at the bottom.

In bold capital red letters, it says “WARNING” and below this it also says in black lettering;

Every year in London there are 100’s of rapes and sexual assaults, plus 1000’s of robberies committed by unlicensed minicab drivers.

Don’t be a victim; only use a traditional licensed taxi.

REMEMBER NO TAXI SIGN MEANS IT’S NOT A TAXI.

This also leads on to the fact that if you are involved in a collision whilst riding in an unlicensed taxi and are injured, you will struggle to obtain compensation, as they are unlikely to be covered with the correct taxi insurance.

Both Black Cabs and private hire minicabs are subject to strict licensing.

These electric powered taxis will be more energy efficient, plus, with oil being a fossil fuel and running out rapidly, it could turn out to be a very smart idea.  If you are a taxi driver and are out on the road all day driving your customers around, you’ll probably have opportunities to stop in between journeys, and re-charge just like you would at any petrol station.

The new UniCab has enough room for up to seven passengers, including space for their luggage, plus a ramp and space for wheelchair users.  It also has LED screens on the outside of the taxi, to show how many people are riding and where it is going.

This really is the taxi of the future; it also meets the highest safety standards.  Whilst releasing lower emissions and giving an improved fuel economy, these will reduce the taxi’s environmental footprint.  This does genuinely seem an all round better way to travel; not just more comfortable for your journey but potentially better for the economy & environment too.

If they are a success, they will likely take over the standard taxis, especially if the government was to regulate against older fossil fuel based taxis, a situation not entirely unrealistic, should viable alternatives exist.

We imagine these new models, along with most other hi tech vehicles, to be somewhat expensive in the near future, so you’d best be prepared to shop around if you want affordable taxi insurance on these types of vehicles!

Ensuring that your personal belongings are adequately insured may not be the first thing that springs to mind when embarking on such an adventure – but it is an important thing to consider.

Students insurance is a type of insurance policy that protects your belongings whilst studying away from the family home, either on or off campus. Don’t be fooled to think that whilst living in student halls the University will have a policy to cover your stuff – it won’t – You’ll need to do this yourself!

Insuring your belongings will protect you against theft and accidental damage to your property whilst in student accommodation and will even provide cover if you’re away from the residence in between terms.

-  Make sure you know what is covered
-  Ensure you have the right policy that covers

i) All your electronic games and or gaming equipment
ii) Jewellery
iii) Personal Documents
iv) Money
v) Laptops / PC
vi) Mobile phones

Students living in student accommodation are prime targets for thieves. Thieves know that the majority of goods owned by students are often portable and transportable – ideal for thieves SWAG bags.

Society’s younger generation are nowadays bejewelled with a host of valuable equipment,  such as laptops,  mobile phones,  MP3.

Most policies will also cover you for theft of cash from your premises – Policies will have a maximum cash value you can claim for.

Policies cover loss of personal documents – Passports and drivers licences can be costly to replace if stolen, most policies will cover the cost of replacing these items.

Students can find an insurance policy that will cover them from all the above with Quotesearcher simply by visiting the following page.

Click here for a Quotesearcher Home insurance quote online.

The Home Office released alarming statistics with figures showing 56% of the UK’s poorest families do not have home insurance. Furthermore, these low income households actually face a higher risk of being burgled than the national average – statistics indicate they have a 71% chance of being burgled.

 Whilst the insurance industry recognizes the need to provide further support to these families, the high risk of burglary in these areas forces underwriters to increase the cost of premiums for people living in many of these communities.

The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, held a top level summit meeting on March 10, 2009 with the leading insurance industry leaders to discuss how to combat the take up of home insurance amongst Britain’s poorest families.

 Initial suggestions include making improvements to home security in order to reduce premiums and thereby open up insurance access to these individuals.

At Quotesearcher we would echo these sentiments as improving home security is an excellent way of reducing your home insurance premium.

If you’re interested in improving the security of your home, consider the following:

1. Ensure that your home is properly secured when you leave it. This sounds obvious, but take the time to ensure that all windows are closed and doors are locked. Many burglars are opportunists, so if your home looks secure they may be deterred.
2. Take reasonable precautions to secure your home. For example, if your property can be accessed from the rear or side via a gate invest in a sturdy padlock so you’re not making it easy for potential burglars to access your home.
3. Invest in secure locks for your home, and have a qualified locksmith install them. Key security considerations should include: Deadlocks to doors, secure locks to windows and secure window shutters.
    

For more information, the Home Office Guidelines can be viewed via the following link: Home Office Domestic Security Guidelines.

Further details on security measures can be viewed on the Masters Locksmith Association site at: Masters Locksmith Association Security Guide.

Here at Quotesearcher we’re also committed to providing our customers with the very best deals on home insurance. First and foremost, we’d always recommend that people shop around to make sure that they get the best deal for them. So rather than simply renewing your home insurance with your current provider why not view the latest deals from our partners and get a competitive home insurance quote today.

You’ve nothing to lose, and you could save money – something which is front of mind for all of us right now!

Sources:

Insurance Times, 26/3/09

Locksmiths – http://www.locksmiths.co.uk/pdf/homeSecurity/Guidelinesforsecurity.pdf

 Home Office – http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/burglary/burglary084.htm

I don’t know about you, but it seems like we’ve just had the longest, darkest, coldest winter ever. I felt I was being starved of sunshine and my eyes only able to see, grey, blacks and whites!!

Not anymore – We can now look forward to the longer, sunnier, brighter days. It’s like watching an old black and white TV suddenly change to high definition colour.
This to me is all made official when the clocks SPRING forward!!

The proposal for BST is 102 years old this year, and was first introduced to the UK in 1916. The man behind the idea was William Willett an avid early morning horse rider, who was incensed at the idea of people wasting the glorious morning daylight hours by still being in bed.

Willett campaigned for years to get the Government to adopt this new time changing regime, though it wasn’t until after his death in 1915 that it was first introduced, and we’ve been doing it ever since.

Thank you Mr Willett for giving me more daylight in the Spring and Summer evenings, if I can find enough time after having to reset all my clocks, watches, microwave, DVD player, car clock and boiler etc I promise to make the most of the time by having copious amounts of BBQ’s (weather permitting) and exploring the horticultural delights of the local pub garden (weather permitting).

There are so many positives for having more daylight hours, the crime rate falls, energy consumption goes down, and there are less car accidents on the roads. We all know that less car accidents = lower car insurance premiums = Quotesearcher.co.uk….. (I had to get it in there somewhere)

I do wish however, that I didn’t have to lose out on my one hour of yesterday – I feel slightly jet lagged as a result. If anyone can think of an idea how to spring the clocks forward but not lose the one hour I’d love to hear from you – answers on a post card please…..

Most people think that insurance is pretty much recession proof, as lets face it – its just one of those things the majority of people daren’t be without.

But even insurance companies are feeling the squeeze as they are having to hire extra staff and install expensive technology to try and combat the growing number of fraudulent claims being made due to the economic downturn.

One major insurer claims a whopping 46% increase in fraud over the last six months which is estimated to cost the industry a whopping £1.75 billion a year.

Many insurers have already forked out on telephone system lie detectors – where customers calling to report claims have their voices monitored by the super high tech software which then indicates if they are giving false information.

The software is able to detect the changes in a customers voice caused by increased levels of stress – hesitation and repetition have been identified as tell tale signs of someone who is not telling the truth.

Be afraid, be very afraid!!

The intelligent, techy bits of the new quoting systems are all ready for us to link up to our insurance quoting panel – that’s the bit we are working on at the moment. Unfortunately it’s not just a case of “hey presto” we have to make sure everything matches up perfectly so that all the quotes we return are accurate.

We are working towards a mid April to early May launch of these products, and after that we have even more products planned. So when you drive your car, van or motorcycle, from your house or flat, to your boat, past your shop with your dog or cat and breakdown – remember Quotesearcher will be able to quote for it all.

QuoteSearcher has got a brand new shiny website all thanks to Ryan, QuoteSearcher’s very own creative master. Ryan has worked his socks off to ensure the site is not only funky but most importantly user friendly and informative.

We thought we’d start writing this blog to keep you in tune with what goes on behind the scenes at QuoteSearcher, and how we try very hard to offer our customers not only the most competitive products but the best quality too.

It also lets you give us feedback on how well or maybe not so well we are performing as your online comparison service – We’d be nothing without our loyal customers and your comments are invaluable. Our site is your site!!

So come back and visit us regularly, and keep ahead on our latest product information, industry news, special deals and of course the all important office gossip!!!

Quotesearcher Team