Fleet Insurance

How Do I Get Cheap Fleet Insurance Quotes?

Companies that provide car, van, lgv, hgv and mixed motor fleet insurance - reviews below:

• Norwich Union
  • NU Fleetwise
  • NU Roadsense
  • NU Minifleet
• Marsh - are recommended by the Retail Motor Industry Federation
• AXA Insurance Fleet package
• Dixons Commercial Insurance Brokers
• FleetPLAN part of the A-Plan Insurance Group,
• ChoiceQuote Insurance Services Ltd
• Blagrove Fleet Insurance Services - subsidiary of Kerry London Insurance Broking Group

Because of the huge variety of vehicle fleets - the number and types of vehicles, the uses vehicles are put to, where they are driven, the type of goods carried, ownership of goods, mileage etc. - few online brokers give full terms, conditions, limits and exclusions details of fleet policies online.

Generally speaking, you have to request the policy summary, telephone to speak to an advisor, or submit a quote online before you can get a clear picture of what's on offer.

Norwich Union

The Norwich's e-broking site has a dedicated section on commercial insurance with packages to suit most types of fleets. To buy any of the policies, you must go through your insurance broker.

For the uninitiated, or businesses expanding their vehicle numbers, there's no better place to start.

The site is user friendly and you can download document info and advice, including application forms, with just one click of the mouse. Forewarned is forearmed.

It is also an excellent barometer against which to measure what other providers have to offer.

Norwich Union Roadsense

One of the main benefits of buying into any of the Norwich Union commercial fleet policies is that you get access to Roadsense - a valuable advice-based internet service to help reduce risk and cut costs.

As well as information of government legislation, customers can opt for the RAC risk management service including driver training (it earns a 10% discount).

They can also take advantage of the 'How's my driving?' scheme to promote and encourage safe and courteous driving.

Plus, in addition, there is a free security helpline.

For more information on Roadsense visit www.norwich-union.co.uk/roadsense, or call 0800 015 0152.

For fleet cover, Norwich Union give you three options to choose from, depending on the size of your operation and vehicle types -

• Minifleet (3-12 vehicles);
• Fleetwise, for larger fleets, and
• Premier Truck, for up to 4 vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

Norwich Union Minifleet

For companies with 3 - 12 vehicles, including cars, light to medium goods-carrying vehicles (up to 18 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight), motorcycles, agricultural vehicles and forklift trucks and diggers.

Motorcycles, agricultural vehicles, forklift trucks and diggers cannot be more than 50% of the total fleet.

For four vehicles or less, you must have at least 2 different types e.g. cars and vans.

The Minifleet policy insures vehicles used for business, but the carriage of goods or people for hire or reward is not covered.

You can choose the relevant level of cover for each vehicle. The policies available are:

Third Party Only (TPO)

• Unlimited legal liability cover for death of or injury to any third party
• Up to £20 million for damage to other people's property caused by cars/motorcycles
• Up to £5 million for damage to other people's property by goods-carrying vehicles, agricultural vehicles or special types vehicles

Third Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT)

In addition to TPO above, there is cover for loss of or damage to your vehicle caused by fire or theft. They'll either repair the damaged vehicle, provide a replacement or pay the current market value.

Comprehensive (Comp)

In addition to both of the above, there is cover for accidental damage, regardless of who is to blame for the accident, plus malicious damage.

Key benefits

• Trailer cover - while attached to your vehicle, on the same basis as the main vehicle.
• Accident recovery and repairer service (not TPO).
• Free courtesy car where your vehicle is a car or van (up to 7.5 tonnes GVW) - not TPO.
• Replacement locks for doors and ignition (not TPO).
• Personal belongings - up to a limit of £250 (Comp only).
• New vehicle replacement for cars less than a year old or goods carrying
• Vehicles less than 6 months old that are stolen or a write-off (not TPO).
• Medical expenses - up to £250 per person (Comp only).
• You can pay by 12 monthly installments, interest free, on Direct Debit.
• The policy covers the European Union and selected other countries
• Free uninsured loss recovery (e.g. your excess or increased travel expenses resulting from an accident where you were not at fault).

Policy options

Breakdown cover - Minifleet customers with Comprehensive cover can include RAC vehicle breakdown for the UK and Europe.

Norwich Union Fleetwise

The Norwich's Fleetwise policy is for the larger fleet and covers most vehicle types, regardless of whether they're owned or leased.

For taxis and lorries you must have at least 5 and for all other vehicle types, the minimum number is 12. There's no upper limit.

Cover can be arranged on a fully comprehensive (Comp), third party fire and theft (TPF&T) or third party only basis (TPO). Key benefits include:

• New for old replacement for private cars (under 12 months old) and goods carrying vehicles (under 6 months)
• Medical Expenses and Personal Effects cover - £250
• Wide trailer cover - attached and detached
• Free legal advice helpline
• Replacement locks
• Contingent liability cover
• Unauthorised Movement (Damage and Third Party Cover)
• Policy territorial limits - European Union plus Andorra, Croatia, Gibraltar, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland

Optional benefits:

You can add on Gold cover for cars and goods carrying vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight for:

• RAC UK and Continental Breakdown Assistance
• £5000 personal accident benefit for drivers
• £350 increased personal effects and medical expenses
• Pay-on-use UK and Europe recovery and breakdown assistance service for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes GVW
• Uninsured Loss Recovery

Premier Truck

This gives cover for up to 4 vehicles over 3.5 tonnes - everything from a 3.6-tonne Luton to a 38-tonne artic, with many valuable extras included as standard.

Trailer cover is free, for example, and you don't need to buy breakdown cover you may never need - breakdown cover provided by the RAC - is available on a pay-on-use basis.

The Comp. policy cover includes all glass, too, courtesy of RAC Auto Windscreens.

Among the most attractive features are the discounts are available - up to a 10% for driver safety training.

You can get a further 5% off if your vehicle was registered on or after 1st May 2006 and is fitted with a type-approved digital tachograph.

If you haven't invested in driver safety training you can still qualify if you complete it with RAC within 60 days of taking out the policy.

You can pay your premium in one or by monthly installment plan (but there may be a charge for this).

No claim discount

Premiums are cut for each year of accident-free motoring as follows:

• 1 year 25%
• 2 years 35%
• 3 years 50%
• 4 years 55%
• 5 years 60%
• 6 years+ 60%

If you have six uninterrupted claim-free years, you can protect your No Claim Discount for free. Ask your insurance broker for details.

New customers or existing customers looking to insure more vehicles could benefit from an introductory discount of between 20% - 60% (subject to conditions).

Benefits of Premier Truck

• Free trailer cover, attached and detached
• Free legal costs
• Free protected No Claim Discount and No Claim Discount matching
• Cover for haulage (not Northern Ireland) and personal goods
• Guaranteed repairs
• Third party property damage cover - £5 million
• New Vehicle Replacement cover (Comp only)
• 24-hour claims handling service
• Foreign use cover in EU member countries and selected others
• Replacement locks if keys stolen

Optional benefits:

• RAC Breakdown Assistance - pay on use, or £185 per vehicle for £1,000 worth of cover with a Comprehensive policy
• Personal Belongings (£500) and Personal Accident (£5000) - for £25 per vehicle
• Glass cover (for non-Comp policies only) - preferential RAC rates
• Discounted RAC Vehicle Status Check (eg vehicle history, outstanding credit, previous damage, registered as stolen)

Marsh

Marsh, one on the biggest players in the fleet insurance broker field, have offices throughout the UK and abroad, and are recommended by the Retail Motor Industry Federation for their experience in motor fleet insurance.

They don't offer Third Party Only.

Choose from the following two options:

• Third party, fire and theft - cover for injury or damage to others plus fire and theft cover for vehicles
• Comprehensive - cover for injury or damage to others plus accidental damage, fire and theft cover for vehicles.

To get a quote, you have to fill in a simple an online request and you will be asked:

• If you have any drivers under 25
• If you have vehicle security
• If you have driver training
• If you have any other positive risk management measures in place
• Whether you've made any claims in the last 5 years

Depending on your answers, Marsh can carry out a fleet risk assessment and make recommendations to make you more appealing to a wider range of insurers, and reduce your claims potential.

To request a policy summary, click online, or to speak to an advisor, call 023 8021 6611. Lines are open Mon - Fri, 9 am - 5 pm.

AXA

The AXA Insurance Fleet package offers the standard three levels of cover for fleets of 4 or more vehicles -

• Comprehensive
• Third Party Fire and Theft
• Third Party Only

There is a free 24-hour Assistance helpline to put you in touch with the nearest vehicle recovery or windscreen repairer.

Policy features

• Personal Belongings cover
• Emergency Breakdown
• Accident Recovery Service
• Uninsured Loss Recovery
• Medical Expenses

Tel: 0845 3000 678 for a quote. Lines are open 8am - 6pm, Mon - Fri

Dixons

Unusually fleet insurance specialist Dixons Commercial Insurance Brokers offer fleet cover for as few as two or more commercial or private vehicles.

Choose from comprehensive, third party fire and theft, or third party only, with cover available for a mixture of vehicle types - cars, vans, trucks, etc.

Additional benefits

• 24-hour help line
• Uninsured loss legal protection
• Windscreen cover
• Approved repairer scheme.
• Courtesy car scheme

Breakdown & Recovery cover is available for an extra premium. There's also a payment plan option, to help spread the cost.

Policies are underwritten by AXA, Groupama, Royal Bank of Scotland, Norwich Union, Royal Sun Alliance, Summit and Zurich, to name a few.

Phone: 0845 603 7211, Mon to Fri 8.30am to 5.00pm

Fax: 01727 899496

FleetPLAN

An arm of the A-Plan Insurance Group, FleetPLAN specialises in fleet insurance with cover available for most vehicle types - bus, artic, car, coach, curtainside, tail lift, flat bed, tipper and van.

They'll offer discounts and reduce the premium if you restrict the number of drivers and have good security measures in place.

There's also an installment facility, so you can spread the cost.

Most vehicle uses are acceptable - couriers, hauliers, social, domestic and pleasure use (private car fleets).

Policy features

• 24 hour claims assistance
• Breakdown and recovery assistance
• Detached trailer cover
• Goods in transit cover
• Green cards
• Hazardous goods cover
• Medical expenses cover
• No claims discounts
• Personal effects cover
• Replacement vehicles

Courtesy vehicles, legal protection, European breakdown cover, 24hr emergency helpline and windscreen cover can also be arranged.

Depending on the type of goods you carry, you can take out Goods in Transit insurance to cover damage to frozen, chilled or insulated products; furniture removals; livestock, and strike and roadblock.

You can usually combine Goods in Transit cover with FleetPLAN's Hazardous Goods Insurance that has a 24-hour pollution emergency helpline.

To get a quote, you fill in the simple online form.

Tel: (0870) 1 600 500 Mon to Fri 8:30 - 17:30; Saturday 9:00 - 12:00 -

Fax: 01993) 709 181

Quoteline Direct

Manchester-based Quoteline Direct has over 35 years' experience in the commercial insurance field, with fleet insurance geared towards anyone who needs to insure 4 or more vehicles.

Most types of vehicle can be covered including company cars, minibuses, trucks and lorries.

Premiums start from £3000 a year with windscreen cover as standard, with transferable no claims discounts available.

To get a quote, fill in the online application form and they'll contact you by phone to discuss your exact needs before giving you a quote.

Tel: 0800 634 5656 Monday to Friday 9am and 6pm, Saturdays 9am and 5pm

quotelinedirect.co.uk

ChoiceQuote

Liverpool-based ChoiceQuote Insurance Services Ltd covers vans (including ice cream vans), taxis, coaches, minibuses, haulage and motor fleets. They class a fleet as a minimum of three vehicles.

For a quote you have to speak to one of their advisors, or submit your contact details together with the number of vehicles you want covered and they'll get back to you to discuss your exact requirements.

For ice cream vans, they promise to quote you in 60 seconds!

Tel: 0845 375 23 00

Fax: 0870 746 21 04

choicequote.co.uk

Blagrove

Blagrove Fleet Insurance Services - a subsidiary of Kerry London Insurance Broking Group - specialise in motor fleet insurance.

They handle all kinds of fleets - hauliers, courier, coaches, company/private cars and taxis.

Other types of insurance available include Goods in Transit and Hazardous Goods.

Green Card cover - the minimum insurance cover needed (ie Third party) in EU countries and certain other countries - is automatically included, and can be extended to fully comp.

To help reduce the price of premiums - and lessen the likelihood of future claims - Blagrove can arrange driver training programmes, driver licence checks and vehicle and fleet management facilities.

Telephone: 01993 841800

Fax: 01993 846148

blagrovefleet.co.uk

Top tips

Deal with accident claims promptly. If your vehicle is to blame and the third party hires a replacement vehicle, then any delay will cost you more in increased hire charges.

Better policies will include travel to the EU. But if your business operates solely within the UK, you don't need it, so don't pay for it.

Check the excess to be paid if you need to claim for a broken windscreen. Sometimes this isn't covered at all.

Remember ... your vehicle won't be covered for theft if you leave keys in the vehicle.

Did you know ... The registration mark of a vehicle can identify the insurer - and smoke out people who drive without insurance.

Insurers are legally required to give details of motor insurance policies to the Motor Insurer Information Centre (MIIC) which helps insurers in handling accident claims.

Cover details are then added to the Motor Insurance Database (MID), and police and government agencies can access it.

How's My Driving? Scheme

Launched in the UK in October 1995, the How's My Driving scheme promotes safer driving.

If your company has a fleet, consider signing up - it could cut down on accidents/incidents and reduce the number of claims.

The badges give a good impression to other road users that your company cares enough to take part in the scheme.

Membership won't automatically reduce insurance premiums. Insurers need to see results ie, fewer claims.

But it will prove to the insurer that you're serious about managing your own risk.

If you have a bad claims history then signing up for the scheme might persuade them to keep you on for another year.

It costs £10 (plus VAT) per vehicle per year (less for larger fleets who sign up for a minimum of 3 years).

Benefits include:

• Individual TAG numbered badges
• 24-hour advice line
• Incident logging
• Quarterly breakdown of incidents
• Quarterly newsletter
• Help desk
• Monthly TAG lottery for drivers