Important Information following the Covid-19 Pandemic

/in , , , , , , ,

The current Coronavirus outbreak has placed the Nation in an unimaginable and worrying time, with unprecedented pressures being placed on the NHS, businesses and individuals. The country is facing the prospect of extended restrictions to our movements; the dedicated NHS staff risk their own lives to save others on a daily basis. Whilst all this is happening it is having a huge impact on our clients and their livelihoods. Please be assured we are doing everything possible to support you during this time.

How Quotax is supporting our clients during this difficult period

In response to the government’s latest measures we have taken the decision to temporarily close our offices to protect both our staff and customers. Please rest assured we have a robust business continuity plan in operation which has enabled all of our team to work successfully from home and you are able to contact us in all the usual ways.

A number of our clients have called to discuss options to reduce their monthly outgoings at this difficult time. Please see below a list of frequently asked questions with answers that may give some guidance.

Your Questions answered

If I pay by Direct Debit can I defer my payment whilst the current crisis is ongoing?

If you pay by Direct Debit your Premium Funding will almost certainly have been arranged by Close Brothers Premium Finance. At Quotax we are able to make minor changes to your plan (we can sometimes alter a payment date by a few days). Any significant changes you require to make will need to be directed to Close Brothers Premium Finance. They can be contacted on 0333 321 8566, please quote your reference number when calling them, this can be found on the documentation that they sent you when the loan was arranged.

I paid my policy in full; can I now get my money back and pay monthly?

If you have already paid in full we are unable to now move you onto a monthly direct debit scheme mid term.

I am unable to make my Insurance payment what can I do

If you have an annual Insurance policy which is due for renewal and you are unable to meet that expense please talk to one of the Quotax Customer Service team about setting up a monthly plan with Close Brothers Premium Finance.

If you are already paying by Monthly Direct Debit and you are unable to make the next payment call the Quotax Team, they may be able to change the payment date, alternatively call Close Premium Funding on 0333 321 8566 and remember to have your reference number to hand.

I want to cancel my policy can I do this?

If you are taking your vehicle off the road you can cancel your Insurance Policy. Please remember that some charges are made when a policy is cancelled, therefore the return premium may not be exactly pro-rata to the time that you have had on cover. If any incident has been reported during the policy year the Insurer may decline to offer a refund. Please be aware that you may lose some of your No Claims Bonus if you have not completed a full year of Insurance cover. You must also declare your vehicle SORN if you are keeping it off the road and uninsured.

If you are paying your premium by Direct Debit (with Close Premium Finance) and you cancel your policy we will obtain a refund of premium from your insurer (subject to no claims having been made in the policy year). The refund will be calculated in accordance with your policy wording and terms of business. We will use this refund to offset the outstanding balance owed to Close Brothers Premium Finance. In some instances, the refund from the Insurer (please refer to your policy booklet for scale of return) may not be sufficient to settle the balance to the Premium Finance Company. If this is the case you will be responsible for the outstanding amount.

Before you decide to cancel your policy please carefully consider the following

All vehicles are required to be insured that are taxed. It is possible to declare your vehicle SORN as long as the vehicle is not on a public road; it is however a requirement that any vehicles kept on a public road must have minimum levels of cover.

It is also a Public and Private Hire licensing requirement with most Councils that your vehicle should be Insured for Hire and Reward for the duration of plate, please therefore check with your Licensing Authority or TFL before cancelling.

If you are paying for your vehicle on finance/lease or a similar scheme most finance providers stipulate that the vehicle must be insured comprehensively for the duration of the finance agreement, before deciding to cancel please check with you Finance provider

Are there any alternatives to cancelling my policy?

Some of our Insurers will give the option to reduce cover to Social Domestic and Pleasure only if you are not using the vehicle for Hire and Reward, please speak with your local Plating Council first as it is usually a requirement that the vehicle is covered for Hire and Reward whilst plated.

Can I freeze my Insurance?

Insurers have not traditionally allowed cover to be frozen or premium holidays to be taken.

Are you still able to offer a 24/7 claims service?

Yes – all of our providers have comprehensive business continuity plans in place which have been implemented, please contact our claims departments in the normal ways.

We have been working closely with our insurer panel to support our Taxi Driver clients whilst they look to diversify their activities in order to maintain some level of income during this difficult period.

We have negotiated the following extensions in cover with our Insurer Panel for the duration of the crisis and in the case of Antilo Insurance for one month only (this will be reviewed at the end of one month)

• Markerstudy, we can now confirm that, on a temporary basis during the Corona Virus crisis, policy cover is extended to cover all Taxi policies to deliver fast food, collection and delivery of prescriptions, food/grocery shopping and small parcel delivery. This extension of cover is provided completely free of charge.

• Haven Insurance, we can now confirm that, on a temporary basis during the Corona Virus crisis, policy cover is extended to cover all Taxi policies to deliver fast food, collection and delivery of prescriptions, food/grocery shopping and small parcel delivery. This extension of cover is provided completely free of charge.

• Antilo, we can now confirm that, for one month only during the Corona Virus crisis, policy cover is extended to cover all Taxi policies to deliver fast food, collection and delivery of prescriptions, food/grocery shopping and small parcel delivery. This extension of cover is provided completely free of charge.

• ERS, we can now confirm that, on a temporary basis during the Corona Virus crisis, policy cover for Taxis can be extended to cover journeys delivering fast food, collection and the delivery of prescriptions, food/grocery shopping and small parcel delivery. This extension of cover is provided completely free of charge. You will need to call our office in order for us to notify ERS that you intend to carry out this type of work so that they can endorse your policy to cover this.

• Allianz, we can now confirm that, we are able to extend cover for the Carriage of Goods.
. You will need to call our office in order for us to notify Allianz that you intend to carry out this type of work so that they can endorse your policy to cover this.

In all cases we must advise you that the goods that you will be transporting will NOT be insured but the journey itself will be. This means, if the goods transported are DAMAGED or LOST during transit, no cover will be in place.

Should you wish to insure the goods that you are transporting, please contact us and we will be able to quote for a separate “Goods in Transit” policy.

Finally

Please remember we are here to offer help and support to you. We can only make changes to your policy that the Insurer has agreed. The Insurers are reviewing what changes can be made to their policies regularly and the options may change. Our staff are working from home taking large volumes of calls so the wait times may be longer than you might ordinarily expect. Thank you for your understanding with this.

We hope that you and your families remain safe and well.

Kindest regards,

Daniel Fosker and all of the Quotax team.

Dean Richardson Southern Title First Defence

London Taxi Driver Dean Richardson makes his first defence of his Southern Area Title

/in ,

Dean Richardson First Defence

London Taxi Driver Dean Richardson makes his first defence of his Southern Area Title against Konrad Stempkowski on 14th March at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

Richardson, from South Ruislip, is returning to the ring for the first time since winning the title back in September, with a second round knockout of Nathan Graham.

Stempkowski has an impressive record to date, having had 11 bouts with 9 wins and will be his first crack at a professional title which Richardson is keen to hang on to.

All of the Quotax team wish you the very best on the 14th Dean!!!!

quotax office thumbnail london taxi toy

Quotax Anniversary: 15 Years in Insurance Broking

/in ,

This year, we’re celebrating our fifteenth anniversary! Since 2004, we at Quotax have kept a steady momentum to become a leader for Commercial Vehicle Insurance in the UK.

We’ve come a long way since our beginnings and that’s thanks in large part not only to our amazing clients but our fantastic team of dedicated staff.

Over the course of our fifteen years, we like to think we’ve fulfilled our founder’s original vision and then some. Read more below to find out more about our fascinating history. Read more

London Taxi Driver Dean Richardson wins southern area boxing title

/in ,

Dean Richardson became the new super welterweight Southern Area champion with a two round destruction of Nathan Graham at York Hall on 28th September.

Richardson, now 11-0 with 8 knockouts, finished the fight with a single right hook at close range early into the second round. The first round was cagey, with both fighters feeling their way into the fight but a few bursts of combinations from Dean edged him the round.

Both fighters came out for the second and Richardson took the centre of the ring. Graham lunged in with a right hand to the body and as he wound up for an uppercut, Richardson landed his own right hook. Graham landed face first on the canvas but managed to get to his feet at the count of six. His legs were unsteady and as he wobbled backwards towards the ropes the referee waved it off 27 seconds into the round.

It was the 24 year olds first title as a professional and with the English belt being contested for on the same night, Richardson hopes to defend his Southern Area title or have his own crack at the English early next year.

Car Theft payouts at a 7 year high!

/in , , ,

 

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) the insurance industry trade body have said claims for January to March for vehicle thefts have hit their highest level in seven years.

Some facts for January to March:

· The number of claims increasing from 14,000 to over 16,000.

· Costs of thefts at £108 Million, an increase of 22% on the same period

· LAST 4 YEARS – Overall theft costs have doubled.

The ABI said that this was partly due to an increase in thefts for vehicles with keyless entry. Working in pairs the thieves use electronic signal devices to steal the owner’s vehicle. One often stands by the car whilst his partner stands close enough to pick up the signal from the key and amplify it so the vehicle electronics believes the owner is in the immediate vicinity.

Ways of reducing the risk of keyless car theft:

· Leave keys in a signal blocking wallet
· Install CCTV
· Install spot lighting overlooking the vehicle
· Install a tracking device – whilst it doesn’t stop the theft it increases the chance of the Police finding the vehicle.
· Invest in a steering Lock

Richardson Scores Knockout Win As He Closes In On Title Shot

/in ,

London Taxi Driver, Dean Richardson, downed his opponent three times on his way to a 3rd round knockout victory against Croatia’s Silvije Kebet at York Hall on 2nd March.

Now 9-0 with 6 knockouts, Dean looks to be on the verge of a Southern Area title fight. The same title is being fought for on 9th March between Sean Robinson and Josh Ejakpovi, with Richardson looking to fight the winner. In a post fight interview, Dean and his manager, Steve Goodwin, said they will sit down and plan a route to titles with a possibility of an English title eliminator if a fight for the Southern Area can’t be made and is looking to fight late May or early June.

We will keep you updated with more news on tickets as we receive them.

Quotax Insurance Expands With Opening Of New Office In Dartford, Kent

/in ,

Quotax Insurance is pleased to announce that they have recently opened a second office in Dartford, Kent; this is in addition to their current office which is on site at Ascott Cab Co in Deptford, South East London.

Quotax Insurance is a family run business that was started in 2004 by John Fosker who was himself a Licensed London Taxi Driver. This specialist Taxi Insurance Brokers is now owned by John’s 2 sons Daniel and Paul Fosker.

Daniel explains why Dartford has been chosen as the location for their second office;
“Over the past 14 years Quotax has widened its Insurer Panel so that they can accommodate almost any London Taxi Driver regardless of their age or experience. This has created growth within the business and we consequently have outgrown our current offices in Deptford.

When the owners of Ascott Cab Co advised us that they were developing a New Bodyshop in Dartford we were delighted that they had ample office space that would be a perfect fit for our growing Sales and Renewals Team. ‘’

Ascott Cab Co have invested a significant amount into their new Bodyshop; the new premises are capable of carrying out repairs to the new electric vehicle as well as turning around repairs on existing models faster.

Quotax recognises that there are a number of London Taxi Drivers who live around the Dartford area and we would be happy to quote for your Taxi Insurance face to face if you are in the vicinity, or of course as usual in the Deptford office.

The address of the new office is:
Quotax Insurance Services
Unit 7 Avery Way
Questor
Dartford
Kent
DA1 1JZ

London Taxi driver Dean Richardson returns to the ring on the 2nd March 2019

/in ,

London Taxi driver, Dean Richardson, returns to the ring on Saturday 2nd March as he looks to close in on titles.

The light-middleweight will be in a 6 round bout at York Hall, Bethnal Green, in the hope of setting up a shot at the Southern Area title later this year.

Richardson last boxed on 13th October, winning a shutout points victory and extended his record to 8 wins out of 8, with 5 knockouts.

This will be Dean’s second fight under new trainer Gary Logan, and the pair hope to pick up their first belt together in the very near future.

If you would like to show your support, tickets are priced at £40 Unreserved Seating, £65 Ringside and £100 and available on 07702 887088. Credit/debit card bookings can be made via http://bit.ly/mft-drichardson (booking fee applies)

Poppy Cabs – Rememberance Sunday 2018

/in ,

 

London’s Taxis will again be giving up their time to provide a free taxi service from the following mainline stations:

 

  • Paddington
  • Marylebone
  • Euston
  • Kings Cross
  • Liverpool Street
  • Fenchurch Street
  • London Bridge Waterloo
  • Victoria Mail Line
  • Victoria Coach Station

Plus the following service clubs

 

  • Victory Services Club
  • Union Jack Club

 

The Taxi service will run between the stations and Admiralty Arch and will also be providing return journeys from Westminster bridge.

For a number of years this event has been very well supported by hundreds of London Taxis drivers giving up their Sundays to assist veterans and their family’s remembering those fallen in two world wars and later conflicts.

Marshals will be at hand to direct veterans from mainline stations into waiting Taxis. Quotax are pleased to support this event with a number of Staff and family members assisting with the Waterloo drop off.

Drivers can support the event by turning up from 8am onwards at any of the mainline stations or you can contact Mike Hughes on mike@mikehughes.org.ukplease also follow @poppycabs and @UCGUP where information will be posted throughout the day.

Dean Richardson Maintains Unbeaten Record

/in ,

London Taxi Driver, Dean Richardson, won his first fight under new trainer Gary Logan on Saturday night, making it his 8th consecutive victory.

Richardson improved his record to 8-0 with 5 knockouts with a shut out 60-54 points victory over Arvydas Trizno from Lithuania.

The South Ruislip boxer used his height and reach advantage to good effect using long jabs before landing hard left hands through the guard. Trizno only occasionally fired back with hard hooks but was ineffective as they were defended well by Richardson.

The fight, which was held at Tottenham Green Pools and Leisure Centre, was the first that Richardson and Logan had worked on together. The improvements were evident and the pair plan to continue their success together as Richardson eyes a shot at the Southern Area title in 2019.