What use do you require?
The following information details the definition of the different classes of use offered by insurers.
Social Domestic & Pleasure (SD+P)
Use for social, domestic & pleasure purposes excluding use for travel to and from a place of paid employment excluding use for business purposes, hiring, use for any purpose in connection with the Motor Trade, or use in any competition, trial, performance test, race or trial of speed, including off-road events, whether between motor vehicles or otherwise, and irrespective of whether this takes place on any circuit or track, formed or otherwise, and regardless of any statutory authorisation of any such event.
Social Domestic Pleasure & Commuting (SDP+C)
Use for social, domestic & pleasure purposes and travel to and from a place of paid employment excluding use for business purposes, hiring, use for any purpose in connection with the Motor Trade, or use in any competition, trial, performance test, race or trial of speed, including off-road events, whether between motor vehicles or otherwise, and irrespective of whether this takes place on any circuit or track, formed or otherwise, and regardless of any statutory authorisation of any such event.
Class 1 Business Use (C1)
Use for social, domestic and pleasure purposes and use by the Policyholder or the Policyholder’s spouse/domestic partner in person in connection with his or her business excluding hiring, commercial travelling, use in any competition, trial, performance test, race or trial of speed, including oft-road events, whether between motor vehicles or otherwise, and irrespective of whether this takes place on any circuit or track, formed or otherwise, and regardless of any statutory authorisation of any such event or any purpose in connection with the motor trade.
Class 2 Business Use (C2)
Use for social, domestic and pleasure purposes and for the business of the Policyholder and the Policyholder’s employer or business partner excluding hiring, use in any competition, trial, performance test, race or trial of speed, including off-road events, whether between motor vehicles or otherwise, and irrespective of whether this takes place on any circuit or track, formed or otherwise, and regardless of any statutory authorisation of any such event, commercial travelling or for any purpose in connection with the motor trade.
Class 3 Business Use (C3)
Use for social, domestic and pleasure purposes and for the business of the Policyholder and the Policyholder’s employer or business partner excluding use in any competition, trial, performance test, race or trial of speed, including off-road events, whether between motor vehicles or otherwise, and irrespective of whether this takes place on any circuit or track, formed or otherwise, and regardless of any statutory authorisation of any such event or the carriage of passengers for hire or reward.
Personal Number Plates
We have put together a list of some of the best Personal Number Plate websites. Whether you are buying a number plate as a gift to someone for life, or simply want to have your name on a plate, there are millions to choose from.
Please click on one of the links below to get advise and prices on buying or selling registration plates.
♦ National Numbers
♦ NewReg.com
♦ RegTransfers
A bit of History…
The Introduction of Licensing and Registration
By the turn of the century, interest in the motor car was increasing, but there was widespread dissatisfaction with the poor state of the roads. Indeed, the report on the Emancipation Run had stated that “the roads were filthy, and the cars progressed through a deep sea of mud, over surfaces of the most sodden and heavy going character”. Soon the number of vehicles in use had reached 5,000, creating ever more hazards for other road users. It was difficult to identify the offenders of the few regulations that existed.
Consequently, The Motor Car Act 1903 introduced measures to help identify vehicles and their drivers. All motor vehicles were to be registered, and to display registration marks in a prominent position. All drivers were to be licensed annually. County Councils and County Borough Councils were made Registration and Licensing Authorities; the vehicle registration fee was twenty shillings and the drivers licence fee was five shillings The Bill also raised the speed limit to 20mph, with a limit of 10mph by the Local Government Boards, and introduced heavy fines for speeding and reckless driving (the offenders could now be identified more easily). Fines were also introduced for driving unlicensed vehicles.
The growing popularity of motor vehicles continued to take its toll on the road network, which clearly needed greater investment. The Finance Act 1908 passed responsibility for collecting the revenue from Excise Licensing from the Commissioners for the Inland Revenue to the County and County Borough Councils. A 3d tax was also levied on a gallon of petrol. In 1909, the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act provided for grants to local authorities for approved highway works. The Finance Act 1909 – 10 based vehicle taxation on the horsepower of the vehicle (and so it remained until 1949), and stated that the revenue would be used for road improvements only.
By 1919 it was evident that reform was needed and the Road Board was abolished and its functions transferred to the Ministry of Transport. The tax on petrol was abolished, but higher rates of excise duty were introduced.
The Roads Act 1920 required Councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each vehicle. The number was to be displayed in the prescribed manner. People were also required to notify the local Council when they bought a vehicle. There were also licensing provisions for manufacturers and traders – a General Licence was the forerunner of the present trade plate system. Hackney carriages were required to be fitted with a distinctive sign, and to indicate how many persons the vehicle could seat.
By now it was apparent that there were legal difficulties with the term “owner” and it was decided that the name and address of the person “keeping” the vehicle should appear on the logbook.
The Road Traffic Act 1930 abolished the 20 mph speed limit and set a variety of limits for different classes of vehicle. There was no speed limit for vehicles carrying less than seven persons. The Act also introduced new requirements for driving licences and a licensing system for Public Service Vehicles.
Registration Formats
The first registration marks were made up of one letter with one number, the first (A1) being issued by London County Council in 1903. Later formats were comprised of two letters and four numbers. These series were replaced as and when they were exhausted. So, whilst the Liverpool series KA lasted for only two years between 1925 and 1927, the series SJ was still being issued by Bute Council in 1963.
By the mid 1930s, the two letter/four number series of registration marks were exhausted in some areas, and new three letter/three number series were introduced. AAA 1 was issued (by Hampshire County Council) in 1934 through to AAA 999 and the commencement of the BAA series in 1936. This process continued until the mid 1950s when marks were reversed to three numbers/three letters.
Between 1963 and 1965 councils began to issue “suffix” registration marks – three letter/three numbers and a year suffix. The registration year ran from 1 January – 31 December until 1967, when the suffix change was moved to 1 August.
Ways to reduce your premium
There are many ways to reduce your premium to suit your budget.
- By limiting the mileage on the policy
- Taking a voluntary excess
- Making sure it’s garaged overnight
- By fitting an approved security device Not only will the security device help reduce your premium, it will also give you that added peace of mind.
Non-Standard and Modified Car Insurance
Cosmetic modifications are generally not an issue with insurers: General acceptable criteria – alloys, light clusters, spoiler, spot lights
More heavily modified vehicles, cosmetic and performance can also be catered for.
Further discounts if it’s a second vehicle. Discounts for reduced mileage and security.
Security Needs
What security does your vehicle have?
When you fill in your insurance application there will be a question about your car alarm or security device. A little research could result in a significant discount on your premium.
- Your vehicle may already have an approved security device click on the link below to find out
- If your vehicle doesn’t have approved security, the below link will help you find out the best security device for your vehicle
By having an approved devise fitted to your vehicle, not only will you get a reduction in premium, you will also get that added peace of mind knowing your vehicle is secure.
What to do in the event of an accident
Stop immediately in the nearest safe place.
Do not admit liability for the accident, even if you feel that you were responsible.
If anyone is injured, produce your certificate of insurance. You must also report the matter to the police within 24 hours of the incident. The police should also be notified of injury caused to animals such as dogs, horses or farm animals.
• Obtain names and addresses of all other persons involved.
• Obtain the registration number and make and model of each vehicle involved.
• Obtain names and addresses of any independent witnesses.
• Record all the facts as soon as possible, including location, street names, positions of vehicles, road signs, road markings etc.
• If you have a camera take photographs of the vehicles and the scene of the accident.
• If we insure your motor vehicle follow the instruction in our Customer Zone on our main website at http://www.insurancechoice.co.uk/customerZone.php
• If we do not insure your vehicle contact your insurance companies claims department immediately.
• If the accident was not your fault contact or you have broken down call 0843 227 6000 immediately. We can arrange for full claims management on your behalf.
• Provide your name, address and document number.
• Provide the telephone number that you are calling from.
• Provide the location of the vehicle, including road numbers, names or landmarks.
• Provide the registration number, make & model of your vehicle.
• Always remain with your vehicle until the rescue vehicle arrives.
• Keep all vouchers, invoices and receipts relevant to your claim.
Salvage Write-off categories
Category D
The least damage suffered of the four categories e.g. vehicles replaced under ‘new for old’ schemes, vehicles written-off to minimise hire charges.
The vehicle can be safely and economically repaired either by the insurer / motor trade or by an enthusiast using cheaper parts and reduced labour costs.
- Note: the following was amended in the 2001 code of practice for the disposal of motor salvage, a pdf copy of which can be viewed by visiting the website link below.
The PAV (Pre Accident Value) does not exceed £2,000 (£1,000 for motorcycles), or for more expensive vehicles, where the engineer’s assessed repair costs do not exceed the PAV.
Category C
Substantial damage, but repairable by an repairer or enthusiast.
The vehicle can be safely and economically repaired either by the insurer / motor trade or by an enthusiast using cheaper parts and reduced labour costs. The PAV (Pre Accident Value) exceeds £2,000 (£1,000 for motorcycles) and the engineer’s assessed repair costs exceed the PAV.
Category B
Heavy damage e.g. bent chassis
The vehicle cannot be safely and economically repaired either by the insurer / motor trade or by an enthusiast using cheaper parts and reduced labour costs. However, the vehicle contains economically salvageable parts.
Category A
A ‘total loss’ e.g. burn-out. The only value is the scrap metal.
The vehicle cannot be safely and economically repaired either by the insurer / motor trade or by an enthusiast using cheaper parts and reduced labour costs and there are no economically salvageable parts.
