Tag Archives: France

Green Light for Green Card Ditch

 

Ok, we know travelling abroad is still extremely limited. We also know some of you may be chomping at the bit to get away. To open up the engine of that brand new drop-top you impulsively purchased in a fit of lockdown excess and/or boredom! The lure of those long French roads, no other motorists in your mirrors for miles… azure waters lapping at the edges of ocean drives… wind in your hair, freedom at your pedals…

Well the whole process of taking your wheels abroad has just been made a whole lot easier. With a post Brexit boost for Blighty, it has been confirmed recently that the EU has ditched the car insurance green card. Drivers will no longer need to apply for this internationally recognised document confirming valid third party insurance, when travelling abroad to EU countries. The green cards were set to cause travel chaos for drivers looking to head across the continent as restrictions begin to ease.

Any driver without a card driving in the EU could have faced fines, prosecution or having their car impounded. However, the Commission decided to drop the card in an effort to reduce tension around the Northern Ireland protocol – a welcome change, making it easier for them to travel freely into the Republic of Ireland. The MIBI had protested against the cards, saying ‘It was not a sustainable solution, considering the estimated 43m cross border vehicle trips per annum”

Huw Evans, Director General at the Association of British Insurers said:

“This is excellent news. We have long campaigned for the UK to be part of the Green Card Free Circulation Zone so we warmly welcome the decision by the European Commission today. The Commission has taken a pragmatic approach on the matter.  UK drivers will no longer need to apply for a green card through their insurer which will help reduce bureaucracy for drivers and road hauliers travelling between the UK and EU. It will be especially welcomed by motorists in Northern Ireland driving across the border to the Republic of Ireland.”

The move to remove the Green Card has been welcomed by the insurance industry who have campaigned to see an end to the practice.

 

 

Kirby De-Gray Birch, Director at Airsports Insurance Bureau, said:

‘It’s fantastic news and a sensible change although it still needs to be fully endorsed and rubber stamped by the European Union.  Once fully approved though, this will make things a little less complicated for Britons who prefer to travel to Europe by road rather than flying there.

If you are travelling into the EU within the next three weeks we would encourage you to call us and order a green card if you haven’t already, but any travelers travelling after this date, hold tight until it’s all ratified.’

Be aware though, if you’re eagerly kitting out your camper for a road trip to remember, you will still need the document in place for the rest of this month. While the commission has confirmed it is ditching the card, the rules haven’t come into force just yet.

Until the EU has fully implemented the change, anyone taking their car to Europe will still need to get a Green Card from their insurer before they head off abroad to countries that require one. Post-change, your certificate of insurance will be enough to head out on the highway. Bon Voyage!

The full Association of British Insurers article can be found here: https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2021/06/abi-welcomes-decision-on-green-cards/

94 Year Old War Veteran To Parachute Over Normandy

Those of you who have parachuted from 10,000 feet from a plane will be aware of the dangers of the activity. A number of things can potentially go wrong but the majority of parachutists make a safe landing suffering no injuries and thoroughly enjoy the experience.

However, there are very few people in their 90s who would dare take to the skies in a plane, jump from it at several thousand feet, free fall for a considerable distance before parachuting to the ground. Well that is exactly what a 94 year old second world war veteran intends to do on the 6th June 2019 to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing.

Harry Read is a very brave gentleman. Back on the 6th June 1944, whilst the Second World War was in progress, he was a young wireless operator. On that day which was the day of the D-Day landing he took to the skies and was parachuted into Normandy in France. Unlike many of his colleagues, he survived not only the landing but also the war. He later went on to head up the Salvation Army for a period of time.

Last year, in preparation for his forthcoming jump, he parachuted from several thousand feet here in the UK raising money for the Salvation Army.

All of use here at AIB Insurance wish Harry Read good fortune on the 6th June when he makes his parachute descent and hope that he makes a safe landing.

If you take part in parachuting on a regular basis then you may be interested to read that we specialise in arranging suitable cover. In this respect, why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and speak with a member of our team who will be happy to discuss your requirements and arrange a competitive quotation without any obligation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Motorhome Sales Increase

If you are the proud owner of a motorhome you may be interested to read that you are one of a growing number of holidaymakers who take to the road in such a vehicle to enjoy a break both here in the UK and overseas. According to statistics produced by the NCC that is the trade body for the motorhome, tourer, park home and caravan holiday home industries the number of people buying motorhomes rose in 2017 – in fact there has been a steady increase for a number of years.

Below are the statistics for new motorhomes registered here in the UK: –

2017                14,062

2016                12,332

2015                10,572

2014                  8,733

2013                  7,425

Below are the statistics for pre-owned motorhomes registered here in the UK: –

2017                55,449

2016                55,020

2015                48,839

2014                47,755

2013                45,572

The above organization also produced some interesting statistics for the number of new motorhomes registered in certain European countries that showed there has been an increase in certain countries when comparing 2017 with 2016: –

France             8.3% increase

UK                14.0% increase

Germany       15.5% increase

Italy               19.1% increase

It is estimated that there are in the region of 225,000 motorhomes being used here in the UK. Interestingly, there are about 555,000 touring caravans and 365,000 caravan holiday homes being utilized here in the UK. In 2016, it was estimated that people in Great Britain spent in the region of £2 billion per annum on caravan holidays and it is believed that about £6 billion is contributed to the economy here in the UK by the caravan industry every year.

Of course, as with most things that can be purchased, there is such a huge variance in the cost of buying a motorhome ranging from a few thousand pounds for a second hand vehicle to a six-figure sum for a brand new motorhome.

If you are considering investing in a motor home and it is not the type of holiday that you have tried before then you may prefer to hire such a vehicle for a week or two to make sure that touring around the UK and beyond is for you and your family.

Here at AIB Insurance we have many years experience in arranging motorhome insurance for numerous clients, We have a panel of reputable insurers so why not get in contact with us on 02380 268 351 and speak with a friendly, informative member of our team who will happily arrange a bespoke, competitive quotation without any obligation.