1st Prize – £1000,
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Big Rotary New Year’s Raffle
Brexit Green Card Requirements
As a consequence of leaving the European Union (EU), the UK entered a transition period which ends on 31 December 2020. In the event there is no agreement on the future relationship between the UK and EU, it is likely there will be a legal requirement to carry a physical document known as a Green Card when driving in Europe.
What this means
In the event it becomes a legal requirement, anyone who needs to drive their vehicles outside the UK must carry a Green Card if they are driving in an EU or specified EEA country.
The legal requirements of the Green Card system mean anyone driving abroad under a UK insurance policy must carry a physical Green Card.
If you intend to tow a trailer or caravan, you will need a separate Green Card for it.
Please contact us to arrange this.
FT Top 100 Financial Advisers 2020.
CRS Consultants Ltd has been rated 67th in the Financial Times Top 100 Financial Advisers 2020.
http://rankings.ft.com/exportranking/top-100-financial-advisers-2020/pdf
TRAVEL INSURANCE
If you have a serious medical condition or have had issues with travel insurance please follow this link to provide you with help and assistance for the future – https://traveldirectory.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en
CRS Consultants Ltd celebrates Long Service Awards 2020
Clare Kearns achieving 30 years service, Stephanie Ward achieving 20 years service, Clare Maclennan & Rebecca Massey both achieving 15 years service. Congratulations and thank you from Clive and all of the team at CRS Consultants Ltd for your continued service.
FCA High Court Case Ruling
The High Court has handed down judgment yesterday on the business interruption test case, finding in favour of the FCA and policyholders on the majority of issues. A full copy of the decision can be found on the FCA’s website here:
www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/result-fca-business-interruption-test-case
This will be welcome news for many of your clients. However we must stress that the Court’s findings vary between insurers, policy wordings and will depend on individual circumstances. This means that each claim will need to be considered against the relevant sections of the judgment.
The FCA has asked insurers to contact policyholders with affected claims within the next seven days, to let them know how they will be affected by the judgment. We will be working closely with insurers, to ensure that you are kept up-to-date with news and developments on this as there may be appeals which affect the process.
Business Interruption Test Case Guidance
Customer Communication under BI Test Case Guidance to holders of relevant policies
You may be aware that the Financial Conduct Authority is currently filing a ‘test case’ with the Courts in relation to disputed claims for non-damage business interruption cover, where the relevant coverage clause in the policy is unclear, or open to multiple interpretations. The FCA have included sixteen example coverage clause wordings from a range of insurers, to enable them to obtain a judgement affecting as many disputed claims as possible, even those with insurers not included in the case itself, but whose wordings are similar.
The decision in the case could, therefore, mean that your insurer has to review their decision on non-damage business interruption losses suffered by you under your commercial insurance.
For clarification, policies which include a list of ‘notifiable or communicable diseases’ that does not include Coronavirus or Covid-19 are NOT included in this test case and those policies do not provide cover for losses arising from the current pandemic closures. The case is expected to be heard in mid-July with a decision by the end of July, although some insurers may appeal the verdict, which will delay a final decision.
The FCA have set up a web page related to the test case at https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/business-interruption-insurance which gives detailed information on the representative sample of wordings being used and the questions for determination. You may wish to sign-up for updates on the case using the link on this page and your insurer’s website may also give information on their position for policyholders.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us via email at info@crs-consultants.co.uk.
General Insurances
What does the new decade bring for CRS Consultants Ltd – General Insurance Division?
In 2020 CRS are moving to a new back office support system that will enhance its opportunities to quote on Household, Motor, Motorcycle, Taxi and Van Insurance with effect from 3rd February. The new computer system also has a commercial quote system which will improve their competitiveness on Shops, Offices, Small Fleet, Tradesman’s insurance, property owners, commercial combined and truck insurance.
In addition to this CRS also have new agencies for non standard motor vehicles, Travel Insurance, Hospitality and Catering, young drivers, family fleet, difficult to place liability & commercial risks as well as for ancillary covers such as key care, Excess Protection both commercial and private contracts, Gap Protection, gadget insurance, briefcase & handbag cover, personal accident, car rental excess protection, stand alone tools cover and many more contracts.
Other advances in 2020 include specialist third party claims handlers for all Motor Claims with access to any type of vehicle as a courtesy vehicle be it car, van, Truck or non standard. There is also a specialist third party handler for all Property Household & Commercial Claims with their own in house loss assessors.
Finally and most importantly CRS Consultants are the first Insurance Broker and Customer in Cheshire of the UK’s only parametric stand alone Flood Insurances Cover. This cover is available for all commercial insurance risks whether in a flood area or not. All claims are guaranteed to be paid out without the need for loss adjusters or unnecessary delays and settlement cheques should be received within 7 days.
This ingenious cover involves the insured deciding what level of water damage would cause damage to their building (minimum 20cm’s in some cases maximum 40cm), choosing a sum insured (minimum £10,000), taking the cover out and having a sensor fitted to the outside of their building. The sensor sends readings several times a day to a monitored station 24 hours a day and if the water level reaches the desired trigger level the claim is triggered. The settlement can be used for anything the insured wants i.e. repairs, cleaning costs, to cover the excess on their main cover or a flood exclusion, or to cover growing crops in a field or a sports field etc.
Driving abroad after Brexit
Motor Insurance – Brexit/Green Card
If you are planning to drive in the EU after the 31st January 2020 you may need to be issued with a Green Card and motorists may also be required to purchase an International Driving Permit. Each insurer has a different requirement so the golden rule is to check with your insurance provider, therefore please give us a call if you are planning on driving in Europe.
Why is a Green Card Needed?
A Green Card is an international certificate of insurance which guarantees that the motorist has the necessary third party insurance cover. These certificates prove that customers are suitably insured to drive in these countries. If you arrive at a border without a physical Green Card, you will not be allowed to drive in that country. Please note electronic Green Cards are not accepted so please ensure you apply for one with enough time.
Would a Green Card cover me for all my vehicles?
You’d need a Green Card for each of your vehicles that are travelling. This is the case even if you have more than one car insured on a single car insurance policy.
Does my Green card cover me for towing?
You may require a separate Green Card for every vehicle, caravan or trailer you may be towing.
How long does a Green Card last?
Green Cards are normally valid for 15 days but if you’re going to be abroad for longer, tell your insurance provider and they may be able to extend it.
Will my UK Driving Licence be enough:
No. Some countries may set an expectation that you’ll have an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is available from your local Post Office of which there are 3 different types at a cost of £5.50 each.
Which IDP will I need?
1949 IDP: If you are travelling to Ireland, Malta, Spain or Cyprus, you may require a 1949 IDP. The 1949 convention IDP is valid for 12 months.
1968 IDP: If you are travelling to all other EU states, you may require a 1968 IDP. The 1968 convention IDP is valid for three years, or for however long your driving licence is valid if that date is earlier.
1926 IDP: A 1926 IDP is not required in any EU state. However, it is required if you plan to drive in Mexico or Somalia. You may need a 1926 IDP to drive in Liechtenstein as well.
Will I need to display a GB Sticker?
UK-registered cars will need to display a GB sticker when driving in any of the 27 EU countries – including the Republic of Ireland. Drivers currently only need the sticker if their car does not have blue EU registration plates that display the ‘GB’ initials, but that could soon change.
What other paperwork do I need for driving in Europe?
If you drive safely and sensibly when travelling by road in Europe, you’re unlikely to encounter many problems. However, if accidents happen, or you’re stopped by local police, there are a few documents you’ll need to have at hand:
- A valid passport and personal ID. Depending on the travel agreements agreed between the UK and the country you’re travelling to, you may need these documents to enter or exit the country.
- Full photocard driving licence. Since June 8, 2015, paper counterpart licences will no longer be valid, so make sure you always carry your photocard licence.
- A copy of your DVLA driver record and a licence check code.
- Your original V5c vehicle registration document.
***Please note that this information was correct on January 20th 2020, but may change as the UK works on a trade deal with the EU throughout the transition period in 2020***
So if you are planning a trip abroad, please contact us so we can help you with your arrangements.
If you have queries, please do not hesitate to contact us
Bonds to Bled
And the adventure is well underway….
https://wonderful.org/fundraiser/bondstobled-9b3c0427
For more information please visit the website www.bondstobled.co.uk
