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A third of motorists use their mobile phone whilst behind the wheel!

January 4, 2013 Car Hire News, Motoring Law News, Travel News No comments yet

The use of a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel in the UK was banned in December in 2003. If caught by the police, you can be charged up to a £60 fine, and receive a CU80 conviction code, which equates to 3 points on your license. Although the consequences are somewhat serious, people still break the law as over 1 million people have been caught since the law was introduced.

A study by insurance company Liverpool Victoria highlighted that over 20% of drivers think that driving whilst using a phone is acceptable, with many admitting to using their phones to check Facebook and twitter whilst driving.

Research has shown that using a mobile phone whilst driving is as dangerous as driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. The study that was conducted showed that those who were on their mobile phones whilst driving were just as likely to crash the vehicle as those who were under the influence. Of the three drivers that took part in the study, all of them crashed into the back of the test car, whilst talking on a mobile.

Technology is slowly helping to combat the problem of using your mobile phone whilst driving, with Bluetooth and Hands-free communication tools a popular choice for those with newer vehicles. Those with older vehicles do not have this option, or choose not to use it.

Even though this technology is trying to help those who still need to use a mobile phone whilst driving, it is yet to assist the police in catching offenders. Currently there is a device that is used by selected police forces, that uses laser technology to catch those in the act from up to half a mile away.

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New device can be fitted to cars to save young drivers insurance premiums

December 4, 2012 Motoring Law News, Travel News No comments yet

A black box fitted to cars to reduce young drivers insurance premiums cannot be a bad thing, can it?

Young motorists can now reduce their insurance premiums by installing black boxes in their vehicles, Vauxhall reported. These devices can be fitted to both new and used Vauxhalls and purchased through the dealer network and insured by Ingenie.

How does it work?

The black boxes work in a very similar way to the black boxes you would find on an aircraft. The boxes create driver profiles based on how the vehicles are being driven. Factors which can affect the cost of your insurance premiums include speed, cornering, acceleration and braking. Rather than looking at isolated incidents the boxes tend to pick up on trends of behaviour and driving style.

Ingenie then reviews this information every 3 months and then charges the drivers according to their behaviour whilst driving. Motorists can also monitor their progress online and by using a mobile phone application.

Can I qualify?

Drivers must be between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five.

Is it really worth it?

Vauxhall say that young drivers could save up to 10 per cent on their first year premiums by having these black boxes fitted. That is quite a considerable amount when you consider the amount that younger drivers generally pay for their insurance premiums. It is best not to assume that the long term cost are less than the normal policies, as this may not be the case. They might be however it is always worth double checking.

What are the benefits?

The main factor which should be taken into huge account is the way young people drive. Not all young drivers are the stereotypical ‘boy racers’, but yet the insurance companies still charge through the nose for their insurance premiums, generally just based on their age.

Well now with this new black box, this could really benefit the many young drivers out there that do drive safely and this in turn will obviously save them a sizeable amount when it comes to renewing their insurance policies.

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Can you still get tax discs from your Post Office?

November 26, 2012 New Laws, Travel News No comments yet

Many of us are used the convenience of nipping down to our local Post Office branch and renewing our tax for our vehicles. This may not be an option anymore. In October the DVLA failed to confirm or deny whether the Post Office would continue to act as a portal for people to get their tax discs and their driving licences.

The institution of the post office along with the rival bidder and ‘internet payment service’ Paypoint must now wait until the end on November 2012 to see who has won then ten year contract which is worth six hundred million. Along with the foreclosures of many more local branches of the Post Office only some of the larger branches are staying open which would put the bid possibly in favour of the Paypoint bid.

George Thomson, General Secretary of the National Federation of Sub Postmasters revealed:

“The DVLA contract is essential to the future of our Post Offices. The ongoing delay in announcing a decision on the contract is having a highly unsettling effect on the national Post Office network and on individual sub postmasters’ ability to plan for the future”

He concluded:

“Certainly, if the contract isn’t awarded exclusively to the Post Office it would be catastrophic for the UK’s Post Offices – thousands of branches may be forced to close”

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Immobiliser Device Linked To Car Finance Payments

November 20, 2012 Car Hire Industry News, Car Hire News, New Laws, Travel News No comments yet

A new system is in place whereby vehicles that are purchased on finance can be disabled automatically if motorists miss any payments. This comes from a company in the US called Prompt Pay which offer a keypad operated immobiliser.

The way the immobiliser system works is as follows;

When the first payment is made for the vehicle on finance, then the driver is provided with a 6 digit code which is entered into the immobiliser and allows the car to operate normally. Three days before the next payment for the finance is due the immobiliser springs back into life. This will show a number 3 on the screen, indicating that there are three days until the next finance payment is due. This then counts down to 2 and then 1 depending on the number of days which remain before the next payment for the finance vehicle is payable. The message is reinforced by beeps alerting the driver to the countdown which has begun. If the payment is not made on the requested date then the immobiliser will initiate, preventing the car from starting and stopping the driver from using the car. When the next payment is made the driver is provided with another 6 digit code and is then able to be on their way again with the vehicle.

There are many different arguments to this new procedure. On the one hand, you could have motorists stuck without a vehicle especially with the issues of payments being delayed through banking errors etc. However on the other hand, car companies are not offering a free service, payment for a vehicle must be made if the vehicle is being used. Also it is handy to note that the system offers several advanced warnings before the vehicle is immobilised. Some may view this as a relatively harsh standpoint however it is a fair one if you look at the bigger picture.

What is your opinion on this?

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European Austerity Measures Causes 24 Hour Strike

November 14, 2012 France Offers, Travel News Comments Off on European Austerity Measures Causes 24 Hour Strike

A 24 hour strike has been called in Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy due to austerity measures that have seen wages, pensions, benefits and social services cut. This is all due to governments such as Spain and Greece having large debts with banks and other countries. Cuts have been agreed by governments in exchange for money to bail out countries.

Strikes are also planned in countries such as Belgium, Germany and France; however the debts in these countries are far less than in Spain, where unemployment is currently at 25%, the highest rate in the EU, with Greece coming in close second.

There have been outbreaks of violence with 32 people arrested and 15 others treated for minor injuries. The strike has delayed many flights and trains, with the transport in Lisbon reported as being at a virtual standstill. The foreign & Commonwealth office is advising all travellers to check for any delays or cancellations before making their way to the airport, and to allow extra time for travel.

If you have a car hire booked for today or tomorrow and your delayed due to these strikes then speak with our team today and we will ensure that we can amend your car rental reservation.

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Insurance Companies Forced Into Gender Equality

November 12, 2012 Car Hire Industry News, Car Hire News, Motoring Law News, Travel News No comments yet

Women are being urged to check their insurance policies before the new ruling comes into force next month which will ban firms quoting prices based on gender.

Insurance companies have been very forceful in trying to prevent this change for the past few years however due to new legislation this is a mandatory option as of the 21st December 2012.
Some insurers predict that women’s premiums for their car hire could rise by at least 25%.

From 21st December 2012 insurance firms in the UK will be restricted from taking gender into account. Currently women pay less for their cover for cars, so the rise in women’s premiums is to bring the prices in line with what men are currently paying.

According to the Department of Transport, male drivers under 25 were involved in more than 24,000 accidents last year, compared to just over 14,000 for female drivers under 25.

It is great news that the insurance companies are finally getting in line with gender equality and not basing their prices on what sex we are. However some women are arguing that women, should not have to pay an additional 25% on top of their premiums, and that men should pay a little less so that the premiums rates for men and women could be on more of an even keel.

Male drivers can expect to see their premiums drop slightly however don’t be expecting huge drops as this is very unlikely to happen.

If your insurance coverage is due to expire after 21st December 2012, insurers are advising it may be cheaper to cancel your policy prior to this date and sign up for another year at the cheaper prices before this date. Do be aware though that you may be subject to a fee if you do this it might also affect your no claims bonus.

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Capacity Issues At Heathrow Airport

November 7, 2012 Car Hire Industry News, Car Hire News, Travel News No comments yet

With London being a thriving centre for the world’s trade and business sectors, arriving and departing by plane for meetings and business deals is often imperative to ensure that you arrive on time and you seal that lucrative deal. Many of the airports in London are an essential gateway for families and people travelling to and from the UK for their holidays. Heathrow is no exception which is why there is growing concern surrounding the capacity at Heathrow Airport.

This follows the news that the government has rejected calls for a third runway to be built at Heathrow Airport. There have also been talks about expanding London City Airport to alleviate the amount of traffic incoming to London however talks for this have also been suspended.

Chancellor George Osbourne stated,

“Over the next few months we will be talking to people about where that capacity should be.” He then went on to say, “I am very clear; we are an open trading nation and just as we don’t want to shut down our ports or our railways, we don’t want to shut down our airspace.”

Now this is totally understandable and we do not want to in anyway disrupt our trade links or travel arrangements. However this is a problem which is only going to get worse, not better. Something does need to be done but it is a matter which will take time, money and many meetings before a decision will be made.

Personally I think that an extension to one of the airports may be required but space is at a premium in London, so finding the space to fit all of these extra runways may be tricky, so possibly another airport could be built somewhere just outside of London possibly in the South-East of England. Although where to situate this airport would again be a lengthy and arduous spectacle.

What solution would you suggest?

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The Volkswagen Golf Over The Years

November 2, 2012 Fun Stuff, Travel News No comments yet

One of the more common choices which is often requested when people are looking for car hire with Indigo is the Volkswagen Golf. This is probably because it is one of the most popular, reliable and efficient cars that are available.

The VW Golf is Volkswagons best-selling model and has continued to be with over 29 million vehicles built from 1974 to 2012. The design of the Golf from the 1974 Mark 1 to the current day mark 6 Golf, has not particularly changed much over the years apart from the size getting slightly larger each time and the safety and performance of the vehicle being increased when each new model that comes out. (more…)

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Have You Considered How Reliable Your Tyres Are?

November 1, 2012 Motoring Law News, New Laws, Travel News No comments yet

Have you ever really thought about how safe your tyres are? Generally when people purchase tyres the two main factors which are taken into consideration are price and brand. With over 150 different companies that currently offer tyres for our vehicles it can often be difficult to keep up with which tyres are the best option for you. As of today the new European labeling regulations come into action which can make you to drive, safer, quieter and more economical.

With driving sometimes being a hazardous affair, safety is always of high priority. With items in the car there to assist us in a time of need including airbags, roll cages and anti-lock brakes, the most important thing which is often overlooked are the tyres on the car.

(more…)

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What Makes A Good Car Hire Company

September 14, 2012 Car Hire Industry News, Car Hire News, Car Hire Tips, Travel News No comments yet

We at Indigo Car Hire have over 30 years combined experience in the car hire industry so we like to think we know a bit about a bit. Most car hire companies work in the same way and have similar costs to try and compete with each other.

But what else apart from the cost of the rental should you consider when selecting a car hire company?

Service: What do previous hirers think about the service they have received from the company? Before, during and after the rental. Consider speaking with your broker or having a look at review websites like reviewcentre.com to get a clear picture of the service they offer.

Fleet: What type of car will you be hiring? All car hire companies advertise a type of vehicle ‘Or Similar’ meaning you could end up with ANY car that fits the guidelines of the group you have chosen. So when hiring a VW Golf or similar means you will get a 5 door hatchback with a midsize engine, this could be a VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra, Ford Focus, Hyundai I30, Toyota Corolla or one of many more. So consider calling your broker or the car hire company direct and asking the question, what cars do you have on fleet? How old are the cars on your fleet?

Fuel: What type of fuel will your hire car take? Petrol or Diesel? Most companies cannot guarantee the fuel type of the vehicle you will be hiring but if you speak to your broker, they may be able to put a special request in for you.

Additional Extra’s: It’s important to consider all aspects of the cost when hiring a car, yes you may have found the car that you want at the cheapest rate but what about the baby seat, GPS, insurance excess, excess reduction and one way hire costs that go along with it?

Deposits: Most rental companies will require a deposit when you hire a car. This is usually done by freezing an amount on your credit card. The amount varies from supplier to supplier, always make sure you are aware of the amount. They can range from £500 to £1250 or more. Some companies offer a zero deposit amount providing you have taken out their extra insurance cover. Some companies actually take the deposit amount from your card and refund it when the vehicle is returned, so consider asking your broker/supplier how long this refund takes, we have known it take up to 21 days from some suppliers….

Location: Where is the car hire company based? Centre of town or on the outskirts where it may be difficult to get to? Are you flying into an airport? If so, do they have a desk in the airport or are they based off site? Companies with desks in the airport tend to be more expensive because of the costs involved in being on site..

Payment: The car hire company will almost always insist that the vehicle is paid for by credit card. If you do not hold a credit card then you are limited to which suppliers you can hire from. Some will allow a debit card payment and some will even allow a ‘third party payment’ meaning a friend or family member can pay for the vehicle on your behalf but this is very rare.

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