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Updated Insurance Information for Preserved Buses

Many of you will require specialist assistance and advice when arranging insurance on your bus. You will require a tailored policy with a quality and experienced insurer, arranged at a competitive price, which must cover all activities that you intend your vehicle to be used for. Some 15 years ago Chaucer became the first insurance company to offer a specific product for those of you that are passionate about preserved buses. Mike Beeby ran a scheme then that was competitive and could be tailored to suit individual owners requirements. Your bus was probably insured with them when you first acquired the vehicle but is it now? (Check your certificate). In the meantime many imitators have appeared on the insurance market, but the truth of the matter is that Chaucer, based in Kent, were the first and have an unrivalled experience in repairing damaged vehicles, covering private hire and also extending policies to include that all important use of your vehicle on free bus services, allowing you to carry a full load of passengers on the basis that you make no charge. Many owners were surprised and dismayed to find that their policy with them was cancelled last year and a new policy arranged with a completely different insurer. Luckily many of you are still insured with Chaucer, and many others have returned to them, for the sake of comfort, as you had been insured with them for a long time. Some of the new insurers in the preserved bus market do not have the necessary experience in insuring double deck vehiclese, but of course we all know there is an enhanced risk – namely the danger of driving under low bridges, secondly the danger of someone falling down the stairs, and thirdly someone falling from the platform of a moving bus. Chaucer are completely happy with double deckers, and have 15 years experience in dealing with such claims. Last year Chaucer Insurance appointed Rigton Chartered Insurance Brokers exclusively as the only broker able to place preserved bus insurance with them. Why did they choose Rigton? They knew of their passion for transport insurances and particularly for bus fleets and preserved buses. You will be passionate about your Routemaster. As many of you will know so are Rigton! Chaucer knew of this and their insurance expertise. WHAT IS NEW Chaucer listen to policyholder’s feedback and are flexible enough to accommodate most situations. Many of you are concerned about the ages of your drivers and the ability to arrange cover as they become older. Chaucer are quite happy to insure older drivers subject to these being advised to them. As standard the upper age limit is now 75, but older persons can be accommodated. So if you are approaching, or are in, your early 70’s you will be covered automatically provided you have the relevant licence to drive. Once you turn 75 you must let Rigton know. Following discussion with insurers the rates for Private Hire use have been fine tuned. Many of you have no intention of using your vehicles for wedding or other work when you buy them, but many of you do take advantage of the ability of your vehicle to earn its upkeep in these times of high running costs. Chaucer are quite happy with this, provided they know. WHY USE RIGTON They are passionate about the preservation movement and want it to continue to flourish. Rigton’s Managing Director was brought up in London and his first job in insurance was in an office overlooking London Bridge. Not only is he a lifelong professional insurance man but also a lifelong transport enthusiast and historian, being a member of the OS, PSV Circle and LOTS. He grew up with Routemasters. He went to school on them. Little did he think that he would be insuring hundreds of these iconic vehicles in the 21st Century. Rigton also have an unrivalled transport library to assist in their work. They not only insure many Routemasters and other types of bus, but are also well known for insuring those transport societies and those transport publishers that you know so well. They also cover transport museums and trusts, plus model railways, as well as the vast majority of model shops and many manufacturers throughout the UK. Their expertise in these fields mean that as a broker they have the tools to tailor policies not only specifically for the transport operator but also for you. In 18 months they have acquired 800 new preserved bus clients (some of them having over a dozen vehicles) with a good percentage of them opting for breakdown cover. What Rigton offer:- Unrivalled and priority service 5 days a week from 9am to 5.30pm (at a time when many other insurance offices are closed). Chartered Insurance Brokers = superior advice and professional service. 8 members of staff dealing with preserved bus insurance (all listed on their website) who are completely familiar with insuring your type of vehicle. All staff are members of the Chartered Insurance Institute. Instant cover can be issued, premiums starting at £125 plus 5% tax for Comprehensive cover. Attendance at bus rallies where Rigton can meet you and discuss your requirements face to face. Assistance when you need to claim. Those of you who have arranged their policy direct with an insurance company may have suffered having to negotiate claims settlement figures all by themselves. It is never easy. Rigton assist you free of charge. Cover for Hire and Reward, whether it be 1 day a year or 150 days Cover for operating Free Bus Services Breakdown cover for up to £15,000 in callouts (check your current insurers limits). The policy is with Chaucer Insurance and not an outside provider, offering you the full protection of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) in the unlikely event of a dispute. Premiums start at £80 + 5% tax You can talk to Rigton about any class of insurance, investment or pension matter. As well as insuring many iconic vehicles they also modestly support many bus rallies and museums financially. They are completely independent of the larger groups and mega corporations. EXCLUSIVE DEALS In 2010 they are hoping to introduce many benefits available only to those of you that are Chaucer policyholders with Rigton Chartered Insurance Brokers. Remember they are committed to the passenger carrying transport industry, being members of the Coach Tourism Council to reflect this. See their website www.rigtoninsurance.co.uk, or telephone 01943 879539 not forgetting to mention the Routemaster Association of course!

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