What being a London Black Cab Driver is like

Black cabs are an iconic part of London, providing essential transport for people all around the capital.

Whether day or night, you can rely on black cabs to get you around London extremely efficiently. As a service many of us rely on, have you ever wondered what it’s like being a black cab driver?

Requirements

Now, some people may believe that becoming a black cab driver may be a walk in the park. Thanks to sat navs, many of us can get around the capital with very little knowledge of the area. However, black cab drivers do not use sat navs and are held to very high standards to know their way around London. Before drivers can become licensed, they are put through a very difficult test called ‘The Knowledge’.

This test requires black cabbies to study some 320 routes and 25,000 streets, knowing them all by heart… so if you have a fantastic memory, becoming a black cab driver may be ideal for you!

There are 7 main stages to becoming a London taxi driver:

Stage 1 – Initially a self assessment of the first 80 runs in Blue Book (runs are effectively the list of streets from one point to another following as straight a line as possible).
Stage 2 – Written Exam – Based around landmarks (points) in the city and runs.
Stages 3-5 – Appearances – One on one interviews based around 4 runs.
Stage 6 – Suburban examination – Learning the streets surrounding London and routes from London too.
Stage 7 – Licence application and pre-licencing talk.

They also memorise roughly 20,000 landmarks and places of public interest, from tourist destinations to museums, parks, churches, theatres and schools.

Due to this, the test can typically take between two and four years to complete. This knowledge of London significantly sets black cabbies apart from private hire taxis. This allows passengers to safely travel around London as drivers do not need to rely on technology to get around, finding the most efficient and safest routes to reach the destination.

Due to this process, there is a great deal of appreciation for black cab drivers. Their dedication to the job shows that there is a lot of hard work that is put into what they do, in order to officially become a licensed black cab driver.

If you are interested in becoming a Licenced London Taxi driver, contact TFL to apply here.

General public

Black cab drivers will come across many people in their lifetimes and will have many stories to tell. Many drivers love to chat and get on very well with the majority of their customers, allowing them to make some decent tips!

However, it is also important for these drivers to know how to deal with the general public in certain negative situations that many of them may face. Drivers need to be wary of who they allow in their cabs for their own safety, as well as others.

So although they may come across some very friendly passengers they can get along with, like any job, there will be moments where they will need to be prepared to deal with any problems.

Your own boss

Many join the cab trade to become their own boss. Becoming self-employed in this trade means that there is no-one above you to dictate your hours. You choose your own working schedule.

Of course, taxi drivers have rules to follow but, most of the time, it is just their vehicle and their customers to manage. This sense of freedom is great for those who desire this independence, allowing you to find the best routes around the city, customising your cab how you like and deciding how many hours you need to work to make a living.

Although cab drivers work independently, there is a strong community of drivers across the taxi trade where you can always receive plenty of support and advice from fellow cabbies.

Working hours

For many cab drivers, ‘unsociable’ hours are part of the deal. Before the pandemic, their busiest times were during the evenings and weekends when other people are off work and out and about socialising. This may not be for everyone, but it can mean taxi drivers can spend more time during the day with their family or catch up on other jobs!

Summary

Being a black cab driver comes with many advantages and disadvantages, however, it can be very rewarding for those who are willing to put in the hours.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges for the taxi trade. It has been tough for the industry due to travel restrictions and road closures across the capital. However, we are hopeful that non-essential retail can open back up again on the 12th of April, massively increasing the demand for black cabs for transport.

How can we help with your taxi insurance?

At Quotax Insurance, our promise is to provide London black cab taxi drivers with friendly and efficient service, helping owner-drivers and fleet proprietors find a competitive taxi insurance quote.

Our very competitive rates, along with our relationships with a wide-ranging number of specialist insurers mean that we are well placed to provide the perfect taxi insurance for London’s taxi drivers.

We also understand that your taxi is your livelihood – if it’s not working then neither are you. Find out more about our taxi insurance policies here, or give us a call to speak with an expert on 0208 691 9691.

Old London Black cab in black and white

ZEC Vehicles and the history of black cabs in London

London can always be associated with red buses and the iconic black cabs. These taxis are a true symbol of London, but how did they emerge?

The famous London taxis (black cabs) have an extensive history. They started as horse-drawn carriages called ‘Hackney carriages’. The earliest record of this method of transport dates back to 1662!

When motorised cars became popular, the design of the taxis changed. After 1945, the infamous black cab design became routine.

But in recent times, black cabs haven’t necessarily been ‘black’ as many cabs now feature different colours and are often covered in advertising. See below for examples:

Traditional London Taxi Cab of different colours. UK

Typical London street with a blue taxi in the middle, UK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The history of the ‘Hackney-carriage’ was approved by parliament in 1654, described as a remedy to: “Many inconveniences that do daily arise by reason of the late increase and great irregularity of Hackney Coaches and Hackney Coachmen in London, Westminster and the places thereabouts”. The first Hackney-carriage licence dates back to 1662, where there was an Act of Parliament to establish the Commissioners of Scotland Yard to administer them. Since then, they have been a significant part of transport within London. Black cabs are essential for people to travel to work. Not only that, they are fantastic for tourism.

Becoming a licensed black cab driver is quite a difficult process. Each driver needs to pass a test before they can drive the famous black taxi, called ‘The Knowledge’. In this test, they need to memorise every street in London within six miles from Charing Cross, meaning they have to learn 320 routes, 25,000 streets and 20,000 landmarks! The average time to pass the test is three years.

With many other vehicles on the road, black cabs have evolved to become much more eco-friendly over the years, helping to reduce emissions within the capital. Most recently, in London, there are plans to implement a low emission zone, to help improve air quality in and around the capital. As a result of this, the government is encouraging drivers, as well as cab drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles instead.

The government is providing plug-in taxi grants to help taxi drivers purchase electric cabs, such as the LEVC TXE. Vehicles like these are great to not only reduce harmful emissions but can also significantly reduce fuel costs for drivers. Over 3,500 taxi drivers now drive zero emission capable (ZEC) electric vehicles.

How can we help with your taxi insurance?

At Quotax Insurance, our promise is to provide London black cab taxi drivers with friendly and efficient service, helping owner-drivers and fleet proprietors find a competitive taxi insurance quote.

Our very competitive rates, along with our relationships with a wide-ranging number of specialist insurers mean that we are well placed to provide the perfect taxi insurance for London’s taxi drivers.

We also understand that your taxi is your livelihood – if it’s not working then neither are you. Find out more about our taxi insurance policies here, or give us a call to speak with an expert on 0208 691 9691.

1950s Red Leyland truck

Case Study: Vintage Truck Insurance

How often do you see a 1950s vintage truck, in great condition, driving around on the roads? Not often at all!
We had the pleasure of speaking to Christopher, the owner of a 1950s Leyland truck, who had recently taken out an insurance policy with us. In this article, discover how and why he purchased this vehicle, what his favourite features are and why he decided to use Quotax to insure his pride and joy.

Tell us a little bit about your background and the truck you own.

1950s Red Leyland truck

1950s Leyland truck

I’ve been a lorry driver for over 40 years and, in March this year, I decided to treat myself to a vintage truck to use for leisure.
In my search, I found two trucks that caught my eye – one on eBay, and one in an auction in Skegness. Initially, I visited the truck I saw on eBay which I really liked the look of; I took the truck for a little test drive to discover how it ran and enjoyed the experience. Although I liked the vehicle, I did decide to see the other truck the next day before making a decision.
After visiting the auction, I realised my heart was set on the first vintage truck I visited the previous day – a 1950s Leyland Beaver BRS truck. I went down the next Friday with my son to take it home – it was just under a 6-hour drive! The truck made it home safely and I haven’t looked back.

Where did your passion for vintage trucks come from?

My father was also a lorry driver, so the passion has been passed down to me from him. Also I love driving, and having the privilege of driving a 70+-year-old truck makes driving even more exciting!

With the truck you insured with us at Quotax, what were the main reasons for purchasing this vehicle? What would be your favourite feature?

I initially liked the look of the truck, as well as its heritage, which is why I wanted to view it in the flesh – when I liked what I saw, I purchased it! The truck can also be worked on to adjust and personalise aspects which really appealed to me, as I see this an on-going project that I can work on as and when I please.

Is this the only truck you own or do you have any others?

This is my first, and only, vintage truck.

Do you attend any rallies or special events with your truck?

I do plan to attend special events with my vintage truck at some point as I’d really enjoy that. Once the Covid-19 pandemic settles down, there may be many events that will be held where I can share my new vintage truck with other enthusiasts.

Did you modify your truck after purchasing it?

I’ve been doing the inside of the cab up, as the interior had a dirty brown colour to it. I have now managed to clean it up and I’m in the process of rubbing it down and repainting the metalwork to bring some life back into the vehicle.
When I purchased the truck, there were a number of stickers on the bodywork, which I’ve since had removed, which has made it look much cleaner, and I believe brought it back to its original look.

Unfortunately, as the seller explained to me, my Leyland truck had been stood unused for 5 years, so it ended up with an oil leak in the gearbox which needed to be fixed, but I’ve sorted that now. The mechanic I chose was a big fan of the truck and he managed to replace the part really quickly, so that gave me one less thing to worry about!
After the oil leak was fixed, I had to order a special thick gear oil, which is quite difficult to get hold of, as synthetic oils are mostly used nowadays. Purchasing synthetic oil for older vehicles, such as my Leyland vintage truck, can cause detrimental damage but luckily I found somewhere local that supplied it, so I can ensure it runs properly.

Do you think you’ll purchase any more vintage trucks in the future?

Yes I would – I found one in Preston I liked but, unfortunately, the seller didn’t get back to me about it so I decided to stop pursuing that vehicle in the end.

When looking to have your truck insured, what did you feel was important to consider?

As it’s such an old, unique vehicle, I wanted a top-notch insurance policy for it. Due to its age, there is a much higher chance that things will go wrong, so I wanted to find a policy that would provide me with a fully comprehensive cover with breakdown recovery.

So how did you discover Quotax?

Somebody I know actually mentioned Quotax to me as an insurance option, and recommended them, so that promoted me to Google the name.

Tell me about your experience with Quotax, from when you initially contacted them.

Once I found the Quotax website, I rang up to enquire about my vintage truck. From the very beginning, the sales representative was extremely understanding and listened to my needs. Due to my unique requirements, they explained that the correct policy would need to be put together for me, and Quotax came back within a couple of days with the policy details and quote.

The representative found me a policy that I was very happy with, providing the cover I needed at a great price. So, without hesitation, I took the policy out.

Would you recommend Quotax for vehicle insurance? Tell us why.

I would fully recommend Quotax Insurance. The level of service was something I very much appreciated, and I was happy to take a policy out with them before even knowing what the quote would be as a result.

Unfortunately, I did have some unpleasant experiences with other insurance companies when I was looking for someone to insure my truck with, either showing no interest in helping me or simply not being able to provide me with the policy I needed. However, I did find my experience with Quotax very refreshing, as the representative was really pleasant and not at all pushy.

Was there anything else you would like to add?
I am very happy with my purchase, I love taking the truck for rides on late Saturday afternoon. People around me have shown such an interest in the vehicle and they take pictures of it – one person even asked to take a look inside!

We agree that this is such a fantastic vehicle and we are thrilled that Christopher is now a customer of ours.
Are you looking for an insurance quote? No matter how old or unique your vehicle is, we are here to help. Speak with our friendly team for a competitive quote.

Important Notice – Covid-19 Update

Please note: In response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we are doing all we can to protect both our staff and our clients from face to face contact.

With this in mind, please only visit our premises where absolutely necessary and it is a government requirement that unless medically exempt a face mask must be worn. Hand sanitation is also available on entry to our office.

Please rest assured, we are working hard to support our valued customers during this difficult time. Please feel free to contact us in all the following ways;

  • Contacting us via phone: 0208 691 9691
  • You can send us documents to us via our business WhatsApp on: 07853 411043
  • You can contact our administration team (and forward requested documents) via email on: admin@quotax.net
  • You can speak with our experts on our online chat facility on our website: www.quotax.net
  • You can request a call back from one of our team on our website: www.quotax.net

If you have had a claim please contact our claims line on 0203 928 7337. If you would like to contact your insurer directly, a list of our insurers’ claims numbers can be found at www.quotax.net/how-to-claim/

Thank you for your business, we assure you of our best attention at all times.

Elderly man in wheel chair being lifted into a minibus

Why Minibuses Are Essential For Care Homes

Minibuses associated with care homes across the UK provide greater flexibility for residents, including wheelchair accessibility for those who require additional mobility support when travelling places. Covid-19 has highlighted the use of minibuses within care homes due to the elderly needing to travel safely. Minibuses are used for the safe travel of residents and carers for leisure trips and essential journeys, including to hospitals for medical assessments.

Why Is It Essential?

As we get older, being able to get out and about into society is a vital way to stay part of the local community and to access local amenities. Although free local bus travel is a lifeline for the elderly who do not drive, for some this isn’t an option as those who live rurally and have no local bus service available to them still need to be able to travel to necessary places. Additionally, some have mobility issues which may prevent them from using public transport due to needing extra assistance while being on their own.

This is why minibuses are so important as many cater to those in care homes, including wheelchair-accessible minibus services and befriending schemes. This is where the befriender is a travelling companion for an elderly person, and can assist them around the community and on and off the minibus.

Elderly man in wheel chair being lifted into a minibus

Why minibuses are essential for care homes

Minibuses are not only great for residents at care homes, but also the carers themselves. Some are designed to provide excellent accessibility for the disabled, enabling carers to carry out their daily tasks with ease, ensuring the resident is safe and comfortable at all times. Any trips away from the care home are hassle-free, allowing the resident to make both essential and non-essential journeys with ease.

Not being able to travel at all can greatly impact the mental wellbeing of people, causing further issues in the long run. This is why minibuses are set in place to help people who are in their later years commute to places, allowing them to enjoy life and be able to experience daily activities.

Transport services will usually take residents to these locations:

  • To attend GP or hospital appointments
  • To go to the shops (either with or without a companion or carer)
  • To visit a loved one
  • To attend lunch clubs or day centres to join in in activities
  • To get out and about e.g. a walk in the park

How We Can Help?

Here at Quotax, we understand that not all minibuses are the same, you may have a wheelchair lift or taken seats out to accommodate medical equipment. We have a number of specialist care home minibus Insurance schemes, please give our experts a call so they can provide cover to suit your needs.

Why not get in touch today to find out about our minibus insurance and our policies, call us for a quote on 0208 691 9691. We will find the best insurance and requirements for the best price. Find out more about our services here.

London Taxi Cab driving through the streets of London

TFL Changes – A Disaster for the Taxi Trade

The future of London’s iconic black cabs could be under threat due to the COVID pandemic.

As thousands of workers and tourists stay away from the capital, and Transport for London (TFL) continue to close large numbers of roads, this has had a detrimental effect on the black cab trade.

Many are struggling to cope with these changes, putting the industry under major pressure.

In this blog, we will cover what some of these changes are and how you can help to challenge these updates to ensure that London black cab drivers have a secure future.

Car-free streets

Due to coronavirus restrictions, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TFL) has closed a large number of roads in London, causing havoc for black cabs.

The aim of this is to encourage more people to walk and cycle safely during lockdown. Unfortunately, this has greatly impacted London taxi drivers, restricting their business heavily due to the inaccessibility they have to a large number of roads in and around central London.

David Kurten, a London Assembly Member had asked the mayor, “Do you

London Taxi Cab driving through the streets of London

TFL Changes – A disaster for the taxi trade

accept the more roads that are inaccessible to taxis, the fewer people will use taxis, therefore, the taxi trade will continue to reduce in size?”. Sadiq Khan refuted this claim.

With the large number of roads that have become closed for public transport and taxis, more and more people are encouraged to avoid using these methods of transportation.

Grant Davis, Chairman of the London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) shares our concerns ‘’The LTN closures in London have been met with dismay from the licensed taxi trade and local residents alike and this has seen widespread protests at Town Halls and City Hall. For the Cab trade the road closures are another nail in our coffin. Whilst the PM tells everyone that it is vital to get back to work, for the cab trade these road closures (for the cab trade) is like turning up at the office to go to work but the front door has been locked. Unless common sense is resumed pretty quick, these closures will only aid our demise.’’

Pedestrian only areas

The increase of many pedestrian-only areas in London has also caused concern for disabled passengers who are unable to be dropped off right to the door. As black cabs provide a 100% wheelchair accessible service, some vulnerable passengers no longer have the hassle-free taxi service they once had available to them.

This is greatly affecting the livelihoods of thousands of people, so it is imperative that voices are heard and changes are made to not only keep the public safe, but to allow black cab drivers to carry out their services with as little interruption as possible.

What can you do to help?

Many London black cab drivers must do their bit to ensure that the industry can survive during this time, whilst still ensuring all passengers remain safe during the pandemic.

We ask that you write to your local MP to express how these updates have affected you. This will provide the vital evidence needed to encourage change.

Contact Your Local MP

If you head to the members of parliament website and find your local MP, you can email them using this template.

If you are still in operation and are looking to renew your black cab insurance, then contact us to receive a free competitive quote here: https://www.quotax.net/london-taxi-insurance/

Lorries parked in a row

Top 5 Facts about Lorries

Are you a lorry driver, love lorries or are just plain interested in the facts about lorries? You have come to the right place. At Quotax we deal with all types of lorry insurance from horse boxes to HGVs, this means that over years we have come to know quite a few fun facts about lorries. And we’re here to share them with you. So keep reading to find out our top five facts about lorries, you’ll be surprised! If you have any facts you’d like to share – get in touch with us on our social media, we’d love to know what you have found over the years.

The word lorry was first used in English in 1838 referring to a luggage truck on a train.

Coming in at number one is this beauty. Did you know that? To explain a little more behind this

the word ‘truck’ actually comes from the Greek word for wheel: ‘Trochos’. It first appeared in the English language around 161
1 meaning small wheel or roller, specifically the sort mounted under cannons aboard warships.

The methane in the flatulence of one sheep could power a small lorry to go 25 miles a day.

Lorries parked in a row

5 facts about lorries

There is very much a lot of truth behind this one as a sheep’s digestive process produces methane gas, which can be burned as fuel (according to research in New Zealand). And this is why recently, lorries have been powered on diesel fuel made of lamb fat.

More than 80 per cent of all goods we consume are carried by UK-registered lorries.

Can you believe that? 80%? This explains why road delivery contributes £22.9 billion a year to the economy.

There are an estimated 285,000 lorry drivers in the UK.

This seems like a huge amount but despite a national recruitment drive by the Road Haulage Association, there continues to be a growing crisis with around 50 drivers leaving the occupation daily.

The amount of beer carried by UK lorries in a year would be enough to fill Wembley stadium.

Think of all that beer! That’s a truckload (pun intended). Without lorry drivers, most of our food, drinks and clothes wouldn’t be correctly transported within the UK. So to our lorry drivers – we thank you!

Why not call us today for a free classic lorry or truck insurance quote on 0208 691 9691. We will find the best insurance and requirements for the best price. Find out more about our services here.

Minibus driving on road in the sunshine

Why Hiring a Minibus is Ideal for a Staycation

In more recent times, when people say they are going on holiday, they usually mean a staycation. In the last decade, more people have chosen to stay at home rather than delve further afield and travel abroad. And with the global pandemic, any planned holidays going abroad have most likely come to a halt, which is why a staycation within the UK has become so popular. We have great locations and brilliant places to visit here in the UK.

But the dilemma that comes along with holidaying within your own country is travel, you usually have to travel and make your own way there (and back) to the destination. But, one of the best things about going on a holiday from home is the fact that you don’t have to worry about travel once it is sorted, it’s in your hands – not an airline or a taxi. This is why booking a minibus is so convenient, it allows you to kick back and relax, rather than having to worry about your travel arrangements throughout your stay. Keep reading to find out why hiring a minibus really is the best choice when holidaying closer to home.

Why Minibus Hire?

Minibus driving on road in the sunshine

Minibuses and staycations

Do I actually need one you ask? Well, consider ease of travel, not having to squish your luggage into a small car, much-needed legroom and space. What’s different between a minibus and people carriers is that people carriers start at six or seven seats and finish at nine, whereas a minibus can usually seat from above nine to about 17 seats. So if you’re going away with a big group (including pets) why not hire the larger option – think about all that space! (Please bear in mind, due to recent governmental changes, if you’re travelling with people from different households, then there should only be a maximum of 6 people from different households.)

Also, when hiring a minibus because it is usually for group travel, sometimes a member of the group will be comfortable being the designated driver. But you can of course have the luxury of hiring a driver as well as the bus. There is so much freedom in this as everybody can put their feet up and take it easy for a change rather than worrying about travel! Hiring a driver will make you think ‘why haven’t I done this sooner?’. You’ll find that your entire trip will become much more enjoyable and much less stressful.

Another bonus is the reliability, hiring a minibus will help you to plan and customise your trip to your heart’s content, rather than having to stick to public transport schedules and possibly missing journeys along the way. Instead of planning your day around set times, you have the freedom of staying at the beach that extra hour, or grabbing food along the way. Whether you hire a driver for your stay or drive the minibus yourself you can do as much or as little as you like through your whole staycation. This can suit your group (big or small), as sometimes people have different ideas of what they want to do each day of the holiday. Allowing room for lateness, customisation and having the ability to go wherever you want – why wouldn’t you want to hire a minibus for your holiday within the UK?

Whether you’re enjoying a family trip or a holiday with friends. Here at Quotax, we will put you in direct contact with minibus hire insurance. We will find the best insurance and requirements for the best price.

Sueted Van

Case Study: Sueted

At the time of writing this article, we are in the midst of a global pandemic. COVID-19 has changed everything – from how we socialise, to how we shop – and businesses have had to adjust accordingly. But will these changes be permanent? 

We spoke to the founder of fashion company Sueted, Dolapo Adeyemi, to find out her perspective as a forward-thinking business owner. 

Sueted takes the in-store shopping experience to customers’ doorsteps by providing mobile boutiques fitted with premium mobile fitting rooms at the point of delivery. The company launched before the Coronavirus pandemic hit the UK, back in September 2019; Dolapo talked us through the inspiration for the business, her predictions on how COVID-19 will affect people’s shopping habits, and why she chose Quotax to insure her unique vehicle.

Tell us about Sueted. What do you offer your clients and customers, and what makes you unique?

Sueted takes the in-store experience to customers’ doorsteps by providing mobile boutiques with premium fitting rooms at the point of delivery. Our instant return option eliminates our shoppers’ return journey and shrinks the retailer’s return window by up to 90%. Sueted is able to provide triple bottom line value (people, profit, planet) to retailers in 3 different ways:

Delivery
We deliver to shoppers’ homes or offices. They try on items in their order on the spot in our mobile boutique and we help by taking back any returns to the retailer.

Popup
By running pop-ups with Sueted, brands can now enjoy true omnichannel retail by having access to very flexible high-footfall areas while saving on the set-up costs

Ads and Window Displays
Retailers can advertise their brand on any of the 4 sides of the van and stores can set up creative mobile window displays on the go.

Where did the idea come from and when did the company launch? 

We wanted to provide an opportunity for retailers to offer a special experience to their customers by allowing customers to order clothing items, try them on and choose the ones they want. We designed our elaborate vehicle to be a unique, premium offering.

After creating and testing the vehicle, we launched in September 2019 and popped up in locations such as Westfield Stratford and other centres with high street stores. We are proud to say that things really took off and the brands we have been working with have had a great experience working with this concept. 

Who is your target audience? What benefits can you offer them?

Our target audience is retailers. We offer them convenience, a time-saving solution and we save them money.

Instead of having a courier van make a second journey to a customer’s home to pick up returns, the delivery journey doubles as the return journey, immediately reducing the potential carbon footprint by half and significantly reducing the cost of returns.  

Also, disputes as to the reasons for the customers returns are eliminated since the quality and appearance of an item is verified at the point of delivery and a customer cannot claim to have received a damaged item if they  happen to damage it in the process of handling it post-delivery.

On the customer side, they don’t have to worry about going to the post office or waiting at home to make a return; they can immediately return any unwanted item once it has been tried on in the Sueted vehicle.

The bottom line is that retailers are saving money by not throwing away damaged items which, in turn, is beneficial to the planet. 

This process also reduces the number of delivery vans polluting the

environment. We don’t want customers returning items they have worn. It’s wasteful and we want

to change that.

Has the business changed or evolved since it first launched? Have you been able to operate during the lockdown?

A lot of things have happened since we launched, and we unfortunately had to close operations as shopping in a small enclosed space isn’t something we have been able to market.

That’s a great shame. It does sound like your business model is ideal for shoppers who are social distancing though?

Yes, it is suitable for shoppers who are social distancing. We are trying to establish the safest way to

reopen, as we are exploring options to be able to sterilise the van in between customers, so that people may be comfortable knowing that they are stepping into a virus-free space.

Do you think people’s shopping habits will change drastically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic? What impact do you think this will have on the fashion industry?

Yes, I think people’s shopping behaviours will change a lot. Many changes are happening in the fashion industry right now. With modelling shows all cancelled, brands are seeking more clarity on, and new ideas for, how they can present their collections to customers. We do see this as a positive change as the fashion industry can be very wasteful, especially when it comes to showing collections on runways. 

The pandemic has forced people to act, instead of just talking about these issues. A lot of things are going to change in the fashion world.

Sueted Van

Lady shopping in the Sueted Van

Shopping is sociable. As social distancing comes to an end, with our business model customers will be able to come to our Sueted vehicle with a friend, still social distancing. With Sueted, even online shopping can also be sociable.

For retailers who are purely online, the only point of contact they have with their customers is at the point of delivery and it isn’t properly managed. We see this as a missed opportunity, and something to turn into a positive experience for customers.

What does the future hold for Sueted? Have you considered how this model could be used for other products aside from clothing? If so, is that something you would consider?

We have actually had a few events with a tea company. They had a show in a square outside and they showcased their products and had samples available, which raised awareness of their brand.

Here at Sueted we are about delivering experiences.

When looking to have your vehicle insured, what did you feel was important to consider?

Our vehicle is very unique and unusual, and some people therefore gave us ridiculously high quotes and terms which we just couldn’t accept. Eventually we narrowed it down to a small handful and chose Quotax.

Sueted Van

Inside the Sueted Van

We were really lucky to find Quotax. 

How did you discover Quotax?

I think I found them online. Discovering Quotax really was a very lucky find.

Why did you decide to work with Quotax for your insurance cover?

Two things were a major factor for us: cost and responsiveness.

Every time we phoned Quotax we had someone to talk to, and it just felt right. With some of their competitors I was being put through to an off-shore call centre and felt pushed around. With Quotax it was a much more human interaction, which is what Sueted is all about!

Would you recommend Quotax for vehicle insurance? Tell us why.

I remember my first call to Quotax. It was at around 4pm. I’d forgotten that I had needed to cancel my insurance and suddenly found myself in a situation where I was unable to put my drivers on the road, which meant it was impossible to work. 

Quotax saved the day with their speed and responsiveness and their customer service was excellent. 

 

Are you looking for an insurance quote? No matter how weird and wonderful your vehicle may be, we are here to help. Get in touch with our team today for a competitive quote.

Important Information regarding our Deptford office

In response to the government’s latest Social Distancing measures, we have taken the tough decision to no longer meet with our valued customers face to face. With this in mind, our office based on site at Ascott Cab Company, Blackhorse Road, Deptford will be temporarily closed.

Please rest assured, we have a comprehensive business continuity plan to ensure we continue to support you through these difficult times.

We want to reassure you we are very much still open for business and will work tirelessly to offer you the same professional advice and guidance during these uncertain times. Please feel free to contact us in all the normal ways;

  • Contacting us via phone: 0208 691 9691
  • You can send us documents to us via our business whatsapp on: 07853 411043
  • You can contact our administration team (and forward requested documents) via email on: admin@quotax.net
  • You can chat with our experts on our online chat facility on our website
  • You can request a call back on our website
  • If you have had a claim please contact our claims line on 0203 928 7337. If you would like to contact your insurer directly, a list of our insurers’ claims numbers can be found at www.quotax.net/how-to-claim/

We remain as always committed to the health and wellbeing of our employees and the people and communities we serve. We will continue to keep you informed using the best information and guidance available to us.