Tag Archives: motorinsurance

First Underwriting Ltd Joins Our Panel

Here at AIB Insurance, we have an extensive panel of closely vetted insurance partners enabling us to tailor-make policies for our valued customers. We are pleased to announce that we have recently added another partner to our panel – First Underwriting Ltd.

First Underwriting was established in 2011 and has built a reputation for providing a high level of service along with a quality range of insurance products through select insurance brokers like us. Its main insurance partner is Accredited Insurance (Europe) Ltd that is apparently excellently rated by AM Best that provides credit ratings for the insurance industry worldwide.

First Underwriting is supported by NSM Insurance Services that is apparently one of the biggest specialist broking and underwriting groups located over in the United States of America. It is said that NSM Insurance Services is backed by a company listed on the NYSE called White Mountains Ltd.

First Underwriting Ltd’s specialist range of motor insurance policies include cover for the likes of prestige cars, fleet motors, rural vehicles, passenger vehicles and vans. As you can see, it provides cover for a wide range of motor vehicles.

In addition, it can also arrange buildings and contents insurance for a range of property types including, premium – covering standard risks, premier – covering unusual risks and speciality – covering long term unoccupied and residential lets.

Motor insurance claims are dealt with by its partner WNS Assistance and household insurance claims by its partner Claims Consortium Group.

We are extremely pleased to say that our experience to date when dealing with First Underwriting has been nothing but positive. The company’s staff are quick to respond to enquiries at every stage of the insurance process from initial quotation, setting up the policy to dealing with renewals. We are sure that our working relationship will benefit all concerned but, in particular, our valued clients.

Almost 10% Fall In New Van Sales In November

So far, 2019 has not been a good year for the motor trade industry overall with the figures for the number of new vans sold in the UK not helping matters. Regrettably, for the third month in a row, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the number of new vans sold has dropped in November 2019.

In the above month, new van sales all up to 3,5 tonnes fell by 9.6% when compared with November 2018. In November 2019 the figure was 26,238 yet in the same month last year the figure was 29,035. The biggest drop in percentage terms was in new van sales in the category up to 2.0 tonnes with a fall of 24%. On a positive note, the number of pickup sales rose from 3,876 in November 2018 to 4,541 in November 2019 – an increase of 17.2%.

On a year to date to November 2019 basis, the number of new vans all up to 3.5 tonnes sold rose to 338,227 from 331,776 for the same period last year. That is a small rise of 1.9%.

In November 2019, the top selling new vans were the Ford Transit Custom at 3,046, Vauxhall Vivaro at 2,452, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at 2,321, Ford Ranger at 1,946 and the Ford Transit at 1,758.

For the year to date basis to November 2019, the top selling new vans were the Ford Transit Custom at 48,912, Ford Transit at 24,594, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at 23,931, Volkswagen Transporter at 17,697 and the Vauxhall Vivaro at 16,385.

Let us hope that there is better news in 2020 relating to the number of new vans being sold here in the UK.

If you are looking to insure a new van or a used one for that matter then why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and speak with an experienced member of our team. He or she will discuss your requirements in detail and then arrange a bespoke, competitive quotation from our closely vetted specialist panel of insurers without any obligation. We look forward to being of assistance.