Friday, 17 July 2009
Number of new van insurance policies may stabilise soon
However, it pointed out the number of light commercial vehicles being bought would still be at the lowest point seen since the beginning of the 1990s.This comes after figures from the group revealed van registrations fell 40.1 per cent in June and were down 37 per cent for the rolling year.SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt explained: "The commercial vehicle market continues to reflect the very difficult conditions facing business buyers, particularly those in the freight and construction sectors."
NOMINATIONS LAUNCH FOR EQUINE VET OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Petplan Equine Equestrian Vet of the Year Award reflects both Petplan Equine's involvement with the veterinary profession and the huge contribution made by local vets to the equine community. You can nominate online by visiting www.petplanequine.co.uk/events
Andrew Dobson of The Barn Equine and Large Animal Practice in Great Wakering, Essex, is the current 2008 Equine of the Year. He was nominated by a number of his grateful clients and their glowing testimonials impressed the judges enough to give him the edge over his closest rivals for this coveted title.
The 37 year old qualified in 1999 and for the last four and a half years has run his own practice. His involvement with horses evolved from a desire to work with large animals and the outdoor life it would bring.
Andrew comments on his win, "I was absolutely stunned. I'm so honoured and amazed to have received the Petplan Equine Vet of the Year award. I really enjoy what I do and would like thank all my clients, Petplan Equine and The Animal Health Trust for their support.”
If you feel you know a vet that displays equine clinical excellence and fantastic customer care you can nominate online by visiting www.petplanequine.co.uk/events Nominations close 3rd October 2009. An independent panel will judge the nominations and the winning vet will be announced at the prestigious Animal Health Trust UK Equestrian Awards in London, in November 2009.
Trader Media Group Limited v Revenue and Customs
Trader Media Group operated the Auto Trader website, which included an area that enabled customers to obtain quotes for car insurance from a panel of insurers. This "insurance centre" was run by an independent insurance intermediary, Budget Insurance Services Limited, using its trading name, Compare the Market.
Customers using the insurance centre would click on the "get a quote" button, which opened a co-branded Auto Trader and Compare the Market page. They would then answer a series of questions set by Budget and would be able to arrange their cover immediately by clicking on one of the quotes that appeared in a comparison table.
The relationship between Trader Media and Budget was governed by an Introducer Agreement entered into in 2005. Under this agreement, Trader Media introduced prospective insurance clients via its Auto Trader website and received a fixed commission for each concluded insurance contract. Both parties took an active part in monitoring, developing and improving the online service.
The VAT exemption
The issue was whether the services Trader Media supplied to Budget fell within the VAT exemption.
Insurance and reinsurance are exempt from VAT under Directive 2006/112 (which replaced the Sixth VAT Directive on 1st January 2007). So are the services of an "insurance intermediary" when performed by insurance brokers and insurance agents. No definition is given of broker or agent, or of related services.
UK VAT legislation defines the services of an insurance intermediary as including the "bringing together", with a view to taking out insurance, persons seeking insurance and insurance providers, and the carrying out of work preparatory to the conclusion of the insurance contract.
Trader Media argued that the exemption applied because it was acting as an insurance agent or broker and it provided the services of an insurance intermediary in introducing people who wanted insurance with a view to the conclusion of a contract of insurance.
But HM Revenue and Customs said that Trader Media was only obliged under the agreement to provide a hyperlink and some branding. It did not conduct a regulated activity, nor was it authorised as an insurance intermediary under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. With no authority to bind the insurer or act on behalf of the proposer, it was no more than an introducer and so the exemption did not apply.
HMRC's arguments relied heavily on the London VAT Tribunal decision in InsuranceWide [2007], where the tribunal held that a person operating a comparison website was merely an introducer and not an insurance agent.
The tribunal in that case found that the exemption requires the person to be both an insurance agent or broker and to be acting as an intermediary. InsuranceWide, the tribunal found, could not be distinguished from an introducer or advertiser. In particular, it had no authority to bind the insurer, which was one of the indicators of an "agency" relationship.
Decision
The tribunal held that the exemption applied. In the absence of any definition of insurance broker or agent in the Directive or UK VAT legislation, the tribunal turned to the definition of "insurance mediation" in the Insurance Mediation Directive 2002/92, which specifically includes activities of "introducing, proposing or carrying out other work preparatory to the conclusion of contracts of insurance…".
UK VAT legislation includes "bringing together" in the definition of the services of an insurance intermediary, but there is no simultaneous requirement for the introducing to be preparatory to the conclusion of the contact, as the Directive seems to suggest. In this sense, the tribunal thought the domestic legislation was broader.
HMRC guidance on the exemption emphasises that brokers and agents are defined in terms of what they do rather than what they are, and that the exemption does not only apply to professional brokers but also to other intermediaries making supplies of "related services".
Trader Media was providing intermediary services by bringing together parties with a view to taking insurance and, by virtue of providing such services, was an insurance agent or broker. As introducer, it was the first link in a chain of activities that ended with the conclusion of the contract of insurance.
It was not necessary for an intermediary to be authorised under FSMA to qualify for the VAT exemption. Nor did the intermediary need to have the power to bind the insurer or act for the proposer. The act of introducing or bringing together was sufficient to satisfy the legal requirement to be an intermediary.
The tribunal was also satisfied that Trader Media's activities went beyond advertising. It endorsed Budget, the quotation process and the panel of insurers to its customer base, was paid per take-up of insurance contract and actively collaborated with Budget on developing the service.
Commentary
The decision focuses on what intermediaries do rather than what they are and, in doing so, widens the pool of those who might qualify for the VAT exemption.
But how to reconcile it with InsuranceWide, where the circumstances were similar but the tribunal held Insurancewide was not an insurance agent?
That case considered the definition of brokers and agents in Directive 77/92, which preceded (and was repealed in 2002 by) the Insurance Mediation Directive. The old Directive, although it refers to "bringing together", did so in the context of a "professional" relationship.
This tribunal commented "it is more helpful if one looks at the current Directive…which provides a more functional definition of insurance intermediary". The preamble to the Insurance Mediation Directive talks of "various types of persons" distributing insurance products.
In the view of this tribunal, "contemporary agents and brokers such as internet sellers, estate agents, travel agents and so on may play a more passive role, given the standard form questions, fixed contracts and online quotation but this does not mean they are not providing a service which is insurance mediation".
The case serves to highlight the fact that the difference between a "passive" introducer/advertiser and an "active" intermediary will often be very subtle.
http://www.out-law.com/page-9205
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Housing Insurance
Home insurance, also commonly called hazard insurance or homeowners insurance (often abbreviated in the real estate industry as HOI), is the type of property insurance that covers private homes. It is an insurance policy that combines various personal insurance protections, which can include losses occurring to one's home, its contents, loss of its use (additional living expenses), or loss of other personal possessions of the homeowner, as well as liability insurance for accidents that may happen at the home. It requires that at least one of the named insured occupies the home. The dwelling policy (DP) is similar, but used for residences which don't qualify for various reasons, such as vacancy/non-occupancy, seasonal/secondary residence, or age. It is a multiple line insurance, meaning that it includes both property and liability coverage, with an indivisible premium, meaning that a single premium is paid for all risks. Standard forms divide coverage into several categories, and the coverage provided is typically a percentage of Coverage A, which is coverage for the main dwelling
The cost of homeowners insurance often depends on what it would cost to replace the house and which additional riders—additional items to be insured—are attached to the policy. The insurance policy itself is a lengthy contract, and names what will and what will not be paid in the case of various events. Typically, claims due to floods, or war (whose definition typically includes a nuclear explosion from any source) are excluded. Special insurance can be purchased for these possibilities, including flood insurance. Insurance must be updated to the present and existing value at whatever inflation up or down, and an appraisal paid by the insurance company will be added on to the policy premium. Fire insurance will require a special premium charge, plus the addition of smoke detectors and on site fire suppression systems to qualify.
The home insurance policy is usually a term contract—a contract that is in effect for a fixed period of time. The payment the insured makes to the insurer is called the premium. The insured must pay the insurer the premium each term. Most insurers charge a lower premium if it appears less likely the home will be damaged or destroyed: for example, if the house is situated next to a fire station, if the house is equipped with fire sprinklers and fire alarms. Perpetual insurance, which is a type of home insurance without a fixed term, can also be obtained in certain areas.
In the United States, most home buyers borrow money in the form of a mortgage loan, and the mortgage lender always requires that the buyer purchase homeowners insurance as a condition of the loan, in order to protect the bank if the home were to be destroyed. Anyone with an insurable interest in the property should be listed on the policy. In some cases the mortgagee will waive the need for the mortgagor to carry homeowner's insurance if the value of the land exceeds the amount of the mortgage balance. In a case like this even the total destruction of any buildings would not affect the ability of the lender to be able to foreclose and recover the full amount of the loan.
The insurance crisis in Florida has meant that some waterfront property owners in that state have had to make that decision due to the high cost of premiums.
Home Insurance
Equestrian Insurance
Trident Babes take on the Flux Babes
Trident Babes take on the Flux Babes
Friday, 15 May 2009
Direct Line Advertising Campaign
Essentially these sites includes the likes of moneysupermarket & confused.com which allow you to enter in personal details and then provide you with quotes for your insurance; whilst acting as 3rd parties it’s fair to say that they are paid for new customers they send to the insurers, & may well promote some companies more, based on these payments.
Direct Line new above the line advertising has moved on from their direct attack on insurance comparison websites, Direct Line are said to be using the voices of Paul Merton and Stephen Fry to convey the same points in a slightly more subtle way.
Regardless of where you stand on the Direct Line versus Comparison Websites, it brings an interesting point to the surface - do customers really understand who’s who and how they work in the insurance market? It’s likely that Direct Line will use the “middle man” angle of attack on the comparison websites, but are customers aware of their association to RBS, or that going ‘direct’ to The AA isn’t taking them direct to the insurer?
Here’s another hum-dinger, once you’ve made your mind up on that point, do you think customers really care or need to care? As long as they’re getting the best (or most suitable) cover for the best price, does it matter who’s selling it to them and how that protection is provided?
Direct Line have claimed that these sites are simply middlemen and that the best way for customers to go is direct. In a Telegraph interview, Direct Line said the reasons for the ads were that they:
wanted to reassert our position that Direct Line always cuts out the middleman….By their very nature, these sites are focused primarily on price. As our ads make clear, we offer unique benefits which can’t easily be conveyed in an online best-buy table.
It therefore makes sense why Direct Line would refuse to use aggregator & comparisson sites
Remortgage Insurance
Don't get caught short: investigate the entire market place for the most suited insurance solution.
Remortgage Insurance
Mortgage Insurance is also referred to as MPI (Mortgage Payment Insurance) or MPPI (Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance). There are a wide variety of solutions in the current insurance market, so we would urge all insurance seekers to research each of the offerings in great detail. Mortgage payment protection insurance will in essence cover the mortgage payments in the event of unemployment, illness or death.
Remortgages
Looking to raise money from your home, remortgage online.
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Car Insurance
Low Cost Vehicle Insurance
Find insurance for your car, bike, lorry or van
Vehicle Finance
car finance loans online
What could happen
Equine Insurance
Emergency Assistance for Horseboxes and Horse Trailers
What happens to you and your horse if your horsebox or car and horse trailer break down
AA Pet Insurance Let the AA help you find competetive pet insurance
Compare Equine Insurance Equestrian insurance price comparison online ....
Stoneways Insurance Stoneways Insurance
Culletons Equestrian Insurance Culletons Insurance specialise in all aspects of equine related insurances for our clients. We listen to what you want and tailor our policies to suit your needs. With access to exclusive markets, together with our experie
Affinity Insurance Brokers - Equine Insurance
Affinity Insurance Brokers are a 100% Australian owned business. We have long standing relationships with many thousands of businesses, groups, associations and private individuals. We source insurance products from many of Australia’s and the world’s leading insurance companies
NFU Horse Box Insurance As a rural insurer, we realise that your horsebox is more than just a means of transporting your horse. That's why our horsebox insurance has been specifically develope
AM Trust Equine Insurance
Horse Insurance from the equestrian insurance specialists – Am Trust Equine InsuranceHorse ownership is not without risks so it's important to protect yourself and your horse with insurance cover
E-Quine Insurance Services
The benefits to you of using E-Quine Insurance Services Pty Ltd (E-Quine) are many and varied. E-Quine are an independent broking outfit that does the "running" for you by sourcing quotations from its network of specialist underwriting
Equestrian Insurance
Ludger Beerbaum
Leading German show jumping rider winner of world cups, european & olympic medals
Equine Insurance
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Ways to Save Up to seventy pc on Health insurance charges.
About one year after this bright star was brought in and produced so well she started becoming bored. She was quite the personality, so with her humor and high spirits she was able to mask her unhappiness. So, what might have stopped this situation? What could the Corporation have done to stop this star performer's departure? Don't Take Them For Granted Don't sit too nicely because the job market is tight. High performers find their way to new bodies even in a recession. If they are bored, unchallenged, or simply not obsessed about where their work, they'll find a solution. Face Fact - Your High Performers are dissimilar High performers are typically folk who want a different form of motivation to remain obsessed about their roles.
For them, self-motivation is an innate thing. It isn't just money or power or leaving a bequest that excites them. Finding out the first motivators and the values that they have to have in their workplace is an incredibly inexpensive investment compared to losing useful staff. There are some assessment tools in the market. DISC is a well-liked assessment tool that does an awesome job in explaining, in simple English, what might incentivize your high performers. Are you uninterested in paying too much for health insurance premiums? Only five or six years back health insurance looked really affordable with superb coverage to match. Notice I'm saying need, because unless you make more money than you know what to do with there's no way worldwide the majority can afford the "Perfect" plan with all the knobs and whistles. Another massive problem which I can go more in depth in another article is prescription drug cards. I chat to folk weekly who literally work for their health insurance. It can typically save you twenty to 40% off your premium by not having this benefit. Clients generally pay 500 to seven hundred bucks a year for this benefit alone whilst the average family who can qualify for individual or family medical plans don't spend near this amount of money. Assessments are not the answer for interpreting the first motivators of your high performers but they are definitely a good way to help feed the fire. Coach Them On what is next Stars prosper on executing results. You should believe in them, you have to be proud that they are working for you, you should give them due recognition, and you have to tell them that you are sure you have made the correct choice in bringing them on board.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Moggy Insurance.
Moggy insurance will help you afford pricey medicines for your pussy.
There are a lot of things that may occur to your pussy as it is getting older - from wounds to illnesses. For that reason, plenty of pussy owners have found it worthwhile to pay for pussy insurance. Instead, after going to the vet, you fill out an insurance claim and the prescription will be paid for. Most pure-bred moggies and dogs will end up having some kind of difficulty later in life.
Don't wait till after your pussy is sick to prepare to treat it. By paying for moggy insurance now, you can forestall lots of hard calls in the future - now there'll be no choices made about your pet's health primarily based on if you are able to afford to pay the vet bills. Visit his internet site for the freshest news on private finance, debt elimination, budgeting, visa cards and property. Any way, irrespective of what sort of job you're employed, you need to definitely have perhaps the most simple disability insurance.
It is very troublesome to work out which sort of incapacity insurance you should consider. Want lots more stuff all about Insurance. Even if you believe that you already have incapacity, then you must look at your current policies and ensure that they can essentially cover you in the event that you are disabled and not able to work.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Factors that can have an effect on Your Vehicle Insurance Premium.
Dodge firms that only offer you one quote from one company. Insurance.
These should be offered to you free because you'll be giving them business. Each is a statistically based risk for a particular population. People living in areas with very little traffic are probably going to spend less on insurance than those living in congested towns or suburbs because areas with plenty of traffic have a tendency to see more accidents.
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Knowledge Into Your Med-Pay Insurance Coverage.
Insurance
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
6 Vital Insurance Claim Chances.
There are lots of insurance claim probabilities that will increase the bucks awarded you in the settlement of your private injury insurance claim. Some of them barely see the light of day but some do. ( "Denial", that is, per the seriousness of your injury and the consistent agony you feel. If any of the above "Emotional Reactions" ( which are a direct result of "Characteristic Symptoms" ) becomes a fact it might be sensible for you to see a shrink. Once you have been discharged, get that specialist's written Medical Report and hand it to Hard-Nose, together with the doctor's bills for your treatment.
M Robust , and you are going to be paid for your loss by Powerful's employer, Rock Solid Insurance. Whilst discomfort can generally be scientifically measured, the boundaries of human endurance can't. Like, for example, your private life is in a mess ( for any quantity of reasons ) and which has hindered your capability to recover. Pet Insurance. If your automobile was badly bust, that goes a long way establishing that your wounds were sever and so unpleasant.