Registering Your Scooter / Wheelchair with DVLA

It has emerged recently that many Class 3 scooter/buggy users, and some Shopmobility schemes, are unaware that this type of vehicle must be registered with DVLA. A Form V55/5 is necessary, which requests details of the vehicle concerned, and this should be completed and sent to DVLA. They will issue a registration disc which should be displayed on the vehicle. There is no charge for this and there is currently no need to produce evidence of insurance.

There has recently been a review commissioned by Department for Transport, covering ‘Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles. Its main recommendations are that:-

Third Party insurance be made compulsory for both Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles.
they suggest a re-evaluation of the effectiveness of registration, whilst keeping the present Vehicle Excise Duty exemption.
better training and advice be given to potential users, particularly at the point of any sale of powered scooters or wheelchairs.

Full details of the review can be accessed on the DfT website:-

http://www.dft.gov.uk/ > Access for Disabled People > Transport Infrastructure, Pedestrians, Wheelchair and Scooter Users > Review of Class 2 and Class 3 Powered Wheelchairs and Powered Scooters (Invalid Carriages).

Minibus Speed Limiter Legislation

Many people seem unaware of this legislation which has, in fact, been on the cards for some time.

The general rules are:

For minibuses used only in UK, under 5000kg gvw:

Registered since 01/01/05 - must have a speed limiter fitted by 1st January 2008 (regulated to 100 km/h).

Registered between 01/10/01 and 31/12/04 - operator must identify the type of diesel engine fitted (by checking engine code) Those minibuses compliant to Euro 3 and above must have a limiter fitted by 1st January 2007.
Apart from Mercedes and Iveco/Irisbus vehicles, many makes (eg all Ford Transits and LDVs) are exempt as they do not have Euro 3 diesel engines. A full list can be obtained from VOSA.

Registered before 01/10/01 – not affected. No limiter required.

In looking to have speed limiters installed, it is safest to contact the vehicle manufacturer, and check with VOSA who keep a list of authorised suppliers. Many large garages may not be registered. If your limiter is not set precisely to the new regulations and legally compliant, you could face MOT failure and even prosecution!

MOTs currently look for a limiter on Class VI vehicles (and a Class V minibus exceeding 7500kg). However, it is very likely that this will be extended to lighter Class V minibuses and all Class IV before too long, so it is very important to make sure that any road speed limiter fitted to any of your minibuses is legally compliant.

Advance Warning – it is likely that, once all the changes requiring road speed limiters have taken place (after 1st January 2008), the national motorway speed limit for buses will be lowered. Watch this space!

For full information and advice, visit the VOSA website.

Do Youth Clubs Need Insurance?

The answer is YES, if you are giving up your free time to run a Youth Club, you do not want to be held personally liable if an accident occurs.

If you’re a new Youth Club and looking for insurance, then BJK Insurance Brokers are the brokers for you. We have arranged an exclusive insurance package for Youth Clubs and Youth Organisations.

Youth Clubs and Youth Organisations have a wide range of ages and activities and need to have a specific insurance. Clubs that have young people who are aged 5 to 25 years old, and like to do a range of activities from Go-Karting, Skateboarding and Paintball would benefit from a specific Youth Club Insurance from BJK Insurance Brokers Ltd.

BJK Insurance Brokers Ltd is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Minibus Insurance - EU Motor Insurance Directive

The 4th EU Motor Directive, implemented in January 2003, required the United Kingdom to create an information centre to facilitate easy identification of the valid insurer of any vehicle registered in the UK. Thus the Motor Insurers’ Information Centre (MIIC) was formed, as a division of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. All other member states of the EU have had to establish and maintain a similar register .

Tight access controls to the information are in place, with the three main users being the police, DVLA and insurers themselves. The new internet-based vehicle excise duty payment system introduced recently by DVLA uses MID to check that insurance is in force when issuing a vehicle licence. The police can access the database from the roadside to check for valid insurance, and the growing network of Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras is also linked to a hot-list of vehicles that have apparently become uninsured (information supplied by MID). Users have made approximately 27,000,000 enquiries over the past 12 months!

If the system is to be worthwhile and effective, accurate and prompt updates to the database are essential. Insurers currently have a deadline to pass such information to the MID within fourteen days, but this will reduce to seven at the beginning of 2008. They therefore rely on policyholders and their brokers to give immediate advices in the event of vehicle changes; this also means that the ‘days of grace’ hitherto given can no longer apply. Renewal instructions have to be confirmed, at the latest, on the day before renewal if continuous cover is to be maintained.

Giving correct and timely information is not optional; failure to do so can result in a fine of £5,000. MIB/MIIC, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Department for Transport (DfT) are focussing on and working towards identifying those organisations and individuals who are not complying with the legislation, in order to bring about successful prosecutions.

All in all, this initiative should help significantly to reduce uninsured driving, identify unlicensed vehicles, help in the fight against vehicle theft and help identify drivers who are involved in accidents abroad in any EU country. Let us all help to make it work!

Business Insurance - What Do I Need to Know?

Any commercial business operation needs to consider insurance. Good insurance is as essential as having a stock of products or a staff, but is an often-overlooked element of the foundation for many businesses. Here, we outline ten considerations for your business when it comes to getting great cover:

1.Good business insurance is vital in protecting your livelihood. Good cover will ensure your business doesn’t fail after a loss.

2.Business insurance is complicated cover. You should only arrange it through an insurance professional, not a supermarket, bank, or dotcom pretending to be such.

3.As a business you have a responsibility for your actions with the products you sell and the people you deal with. If you cause them damage or injury they will sue you. You should insure against this to protect your business.

4.As an employer, you are required by statute to hold Employers Liability Insurance. If you don’t, you run the risk of being fined at £2500 a day.

5.You should consider employment law protection insurance. You are statistically more likely to be involved in an industrial tribunal than you are a fire claim. The law being adopted from the European Union is incredibly complicated but ignorance is no defence. If you get employment procedures wrong it can prove very costly indeed.

6.A professional broker will advise you on ALL your risks. Operating a business from home or using your private car for business purposes will affect those policies too. Take professional advice and have all your policies with the same broker. Don’t guess: the best intentions and assumptions can lead to disaster. Speak to a professional broker and know.

7.A fire or a flood will affect your building and your trade stock, but what about the resultant loss of profit because you cannot trade? Take professional advice from a broker and ensure you get this cover right.

8.Make a disaster recovery plan and implement it in the event of an incident. Think ahead and be prepared. A broker can give you guidelines to follow. A disaster plan will ensure maximum efficiency when your business is struck by misfortune, and get you back on your feet as soon as possible.

9.Insurance is a complicated subject despite what television adverts lead you to believe. It pays to use a professional advisor.

10.In the event of a claim, a good broker will help you get the right settlement, quickly. You need someone in your corner to represent your interests – make sure it’s a professional, registered broker.

BJK Insurance, part of the Giles Insurance Brokers group, are specialist commercial and minibus insurance providers and have been building an excellent reputation over the last twenty-five years.

Charity Insurance - What Do I Need?

A charity or voluntary organisation has different needs to a traditional business or commercial venture, and therefore you would expect that the needs from an insurance perspective are much different. Here is a brief list of important points to make sure you have considered when arranging insurance coverage for your charity or voluntary organisation.

What you need to consider: -

What is the Charity / Voluntary organisation responsible for?

• Are you responsible for the building that you occupy; do you have contents in the building; do you have employee’s or volunteers that you are responsible for; do you have a membership that you provide a service to; do you sell items that you make? This list is by no means exhaustive, but gives you a small idea of the factors involved in charity / voluntary organisation insurance.

• Each of these responsibilities or ‘risks’ can be insured. As an organisation you will need to consider which ‘risks’ you wish to carry yourself and which ‘risks’ you wish to transfer to an insurance company.

Who will help you to make those decisions and how do you find an insurance company?

• Insurance is a complicated subject. You should work with a reputable professional insurance broker who can advise you on the covers that you are legally required to have; on the covers that are vital in protecting your organisation and the covers that you should seriously consider.

• Your broker will be able to find a policy or policies that meet all of those requirements underwritten by a financially stable insurance company or companies depending upon expertise.

How do you choose an Insurance Broker?

• It is tempting to select the broker that produces the cheapest quotation, or the company that delivers the most professional presentation. Sometimes using these criteria proves to be successful, but all too often there is disappointment with the actual results delivered by the appointed broker. Look for a broker who has expertise of working with Charities and ask to see some testimonials.

What should you expect an Insurance Broker to do?

• To develop a thorough understanding of your organisation

• Present your organisation to insurers in the most professional way to ensure a favourable response from underwriters.

• Secure appropriate cover for your organisation at sustainable best value premiums with a reputable insurance company.

• Provide first class personal professional support to your organisation whether responding to day-to-day queries or advising on risk management issues.

• In the event of a loss, your broker should track the progress of your claim to ensure that it is resolved with maximum efficiency and minimum disruption to you and your organisation.

BJK Insurance, part of the Giles Insurance Brokers group, are specialist charity, voluntary group and minibus insurance providers and have built an excellent reputation over the past twenty-five years.

Seat Belt Laws - New Regulations

September 2006

For more Information please use one of the following links:

• The Department for Transport have issued a letter dated 11 August 2006 to minibus and coach operators explaining the regulations in greater detail. Please click here to view this letter.


• The full regulations can be read on the Office of Public Sector Information - click here


• Think! Road Safety Website for further additional information - click here

Gresham Private Equity backs management buy-out of leading insurance broker Giles

July 2006

Giles Insurance Brokers Limited chief executive Chris Giles today announced the completion of a management buyout of the company in deal valued at £45 million.Click here for more details..