Minibus Club Article Archive

A specialist provider can answer specific questions about minibus insurance but this article provides some background information including legal requirements, levels of insurance, types of insurance and driving abroad.

1. The Law

Every vehicle in the UK must have insurance. The minimum level of cover is third party.

If the minibus is being used as a taxi then you will require additional insurance for the “carriage of persons for hire or reward”. Public liability can be included with taxi minibus insurance to comply with local government requirements. A minibus taxi operator must have an indemnity limit of at least £5 million.

2. Levels of Insurance

The three levels of insurance are Comprehensive, Third Party Fire and Theft, and Third Party Only.

Third Party will cover for injury to others and damage to their property in connection with the use of your vehicle.

By adding Fire and Theft the minibus is covered if damaged when stolen or being involved in a fire.

Comprehensive is the highest level of minibus insurance and will cover most foreseeable risks.

Each level of insurance can have certain ‘add ons’, depending on the minibus’s use. The most popular is ‘legal protection insurance’.

3. Types of Insurance

Five types of insurance include:

a) MPV
b) Taxi
c) Charity
d) Family
e) Fleet

MPV insurance is used by commercial operators such as nursing homes and education establishments. Fleet insurance is popular with larger organisations that operate more than one vehicle.

4. Driving Abroad

When driving in Europe a ‘green card’ provides the same level of minibus insurance as in the UK for a maximum of 90 days.

Travelling within EU member states and ASOR signatory states (Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and some Eastern European Countries) requires a control document in the form of a ‘waybill’ or an ‘own account certificate’.

Other documentation that should be carried on the vehicle at all times includes the minibus insurance certificate, European accident form and a vehicle registration document.

It is best to seek advice from a specialist minibus insurance provider to find the right policy for your needs.

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If you’d like to save money on your minibus insurance, look no further than The Minibus Club. Request a FREE quote now by calling our hotline on 0845 609 0323 or visit our website at www.minibusclub.co.uk.

Finding the right second hand minibus can be difficult as the choice is often limited. Focus your search by making a list of your minibus requirements and divide the list into two categories; desirable and essential. Remember to consider other expenses such as minibus insurance and running costs.

If a specific vehicle is found here are ten tips to bear in mind:

1) Check the vehicle bodywork. Look for any signs of repair which may indicate the vehicle has been in an accident.

Inspect under the wheel arches, suspension struts and along the door frames for any evidence of rust.

2) Check the engine’s oil using the dipstick. If it’s golden and relatively clean then the vehicle has been well looked after. Black, tar-like oil indicates it hasn’t been changed for long time.

Look underneath the vehicle, checking the engine, drive shaft and gearbox for any signs of leaking fluid.

3) Inspect the interior of the minibus. Look under the seats and carpets for any sign of corrosion.

4) Check the minibus tyres. Look for any signs of unusual wear as this may indicate a problem with the suspension.

Any unusual bulges or lumps in the tyres are often a sign of internal damage. Inspect the tyres’ sidewall rubber for sign of cracking. Crazing and cracking usually becomes evident on tyres that are more than five years old.

Ensure the minibus tyres have a tread depth of at least 3mm. Any less and they will soon need to be replaced.

5) When purchasing a second hand minibus keep in mind the cost of making alterations. Adding wheelchair access facilities can cost more than the vehicle’s purchase price.

6) Before completing a purchase confirm the Vehicle Identity Number (VIN) matches the 17-digit number printed on the vehicle’s registration document.

The VIN number can be found on the minibus’s engine, at the base of the windscreen or on the driver’s door.

7) Pay particular attention to the mileage on a second hand minibus to avoid buying a clocked vehicle. ‘Clocking’ is term applied to the illegal practice of winding back a vehicle’s mileage counter.

A shiny, worn steering wheel on a minibus with low mileage is often a giveaway. Also check that the dashboard has not been tampered with.

8 ) If the minibus has an accessible lift fitted then it should be manufactured to British Standards (BS) 6109 and have a safe working load (SWL) of 300kg. The lift will also need to conform to the 1998 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment regulations.

9) As the minibus may have been manufactured before the new minibus safety and seatbelt legislation was brought in, check it complies with the relevant regulations.

10) Take the minibus for a test drive. Check the brakes, clutch, accelerator, gear stick and steering. Make sure all the electrical equipment works correctly.

When you’ve found a minibus that meets all your requirements, consult a minibus insurance specialist to find the best deal for your minibus insurance.

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If you’d like to save money on your minibus insurance, look no further than The Minibus Club. Request a FREE quote now by calling our hotline on 0845 609 0323 or visit our website at www.minibusclub.co.uk.

Cutting motoring costs is one way of saving money during this difficult financial time. The falling price of petrol is helping but insurance premiums continue to rise, largely due to the rise in claims by younger motorists.

There are ways a minibus driver can lower their premiums and here are ten suggestions that may help:

1. Reduce the number of people who can drive.
Money will be saved by reducing the number of named drivers on your policy. It is simple and more cost effective to arrange temporary cover for an extra driver as and when you need it, rather than insuring them the whole year.

Younger named drivers may prove more expensive to insure, even though the minimum age to drive a minibus is 21.

2. Drive safely.
By keeping the minibus in good condition and driving carefully, the risk of an accident is significantly reduced. This in turn will build your no claims bonus and could save up to 70% on your insurance premium over 5 years.

3. Park off the road at night.
Park the minibus in a garage or on a private drive at night. If neither of these are available find a secure, well lit area to leave the vehicle.

4. Avoid distractions when driving.
Don’t talk to passengers, be tempted to use a mobile phone or communicate using an onboard microphone while driving. These are all distractions that will increase the risk of an accident.

5. Pay annually.
Paying monthly will often incur interest charges. Avoid these charges by paying for the minibus insurance upfront.

6. Avoid making small claims.
If the cost of repair after an accident is only a little more than the insurance’s excess it may not be worth making a claim as you will lose the no claims discount.

7. Don’t speed.
A minibus driver with two or more convictions for speeding can see their insurance premium rise by over 25%.

8. Don’t pay for cover you don’t need
Avoid paying for extra insurance that you don’t need. If your minibus is valued a less than £2,000 Third Party Fire and Theft may be more suitable than the more expensive Comprehensive insurance.

9. Take a driving course
A minibus driver may be entitled to a discount on their minibus insurance if they have successfully completed a driving course. A recognised course is the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MIDAS).

10. Use a specialist insurance provider
A specialist minibus insurance provider will tailor the policy to your specific requirements, ensuring you have the right amount of cover at the right price. Find a provider than has no admin charges and can offer assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Article Resource
If you’d like to save money on your minibus insurance, look no further than The Minibus Club. Request a FREE quote now by calling our hotline on 0845 609 0323 or visit our website at www.minibusclub.co.uk.