Before speaking to my local insurance broker I believed a fleet policy was for larger companies, and I had never heard of a mini fleet policy. My company owned four cars in total to transport my health and safety workers, but I never considered combining their insurance onto a single mini fleet policy to save money.

After recently using a new broker to renew my employer’s liability, public liability and professional indemnity, I was informed I was able to apply for an annual insurance assessment from my broker. Me and my broker had a meeting, the aim of which was to ensure I was paying the correct amount, and I was fully covered.

Six months after I renewed my liability policies we had the meeting, and I looked forward to it in the hope he could identify some ways of saving me money.

Our weekly progress meeting meant that all my team were in the office that day, meaning my insurance broker saw the four company cars lined up. Upon entering, he enquired as to whether the four cars were owned by the company, and if we had any more. After I informed him they were the only company cars, he asked whether I was using a fleet policy to insure them, which I wasn’t. He then told me he could save me money straight away.

During the meeting the broker informed me that using a fleet policy, by combining all the individual car insurance policies, I would be able to save money on insurance premiums. He told me that a fleet of 3 or more vehicles is the definition of a mini-fleet.

After the advice he gave me in the meeting, I now often ring my insurance broker to find out if I could be saving any money elsewhere. He taught me that it does not pay to just shop for the cheapest deal around, and a broker’s invaluable advice is often far more useful.

fleet insurance policy Will you be surprised to find a hefty increase on what you paid last year? If they are reluctant to supply it, insist, you are entitled to the information. I informed him that I insured them all separately, and didn’t realise I could get a fleet policy with only four cars.

Congratulations! Your business grew to the point where the number of vehicles you have was considered to be a fleet for insurance purposes. Your broker negotiated a fleet rate for you. Your vehicles no longer have “no claims bonus”, but your renewal is tailored for you based on your claims experience in the last year.

So are you looking forward to your insurance renewal? Will you be surprised to find a hefty increase on what you paid last year? You’re going to shop around aren’t you?

Shopping around can be hard work for both you and your broker, but it is a good idea to shop around because you are likely to make savings from year to year.

It really is hard work though and you need to plan. Plan well in advance. Allow at least six weeks before your renewal is due and tell your broker that you need competitive quotes. If he won’t get competitive quotes, go to another broker and get competitive quotes for yourself.

To be properly prepared you need to do more than just leave six weeks. You will need to gather your information from previous claims to tell your new insurer. This information will include the amounts received and the details of the event. If one of these events was a driving accident, in which you were the victim, the insurer will need to know the details about the third party paying. This information can be gathered from your original insurer, insist that you need this information - you are entitled to it.

You will need all the details of all your vehicles if you are using an alternative broker. These details include the make, model and where the vehicle is stored overnight. The drivers will all also have to give their details, including age, gender, driving licence details and driving related convictions. Gathering these details will not be a wasted effort because you will need this information for your broker.

When using fleet insurance, your administration is simplified, and although it can be difficult to get the best deal at renewal, it can be very convenient.

Fleet Insurance fleet insurance Summer is the perfect time for a criminal, while most people are away, they see an empty house as an opportunity. However it’s a good idea to shop around because it is quite likely that you will be able to make savings. The truck isn’t as shiny anymore, and its main job is transporting the eldest child to and from university.

I have four cars which I have acquired over the years. I used to insure them separately, but I have now spoken to an insurance broker who has informed me that I am able to insure them using a fleet policy, meaning all the cars are under one policy. This means I am now able to renew them at once, saving time, and meaning there is only one annual premium charge, which is much cheaper than using separate policies for each car.

My first car was a small car to perform daily tasks in. I bought it after having to ride a bike to work, and was so pleased. If someone had told me then that I would have four cars in the future, I wouldn’t have believed you, but I soon bought my second. After moving to the countryside, and buying a house at the top of a hill, it became increasingly obvious that my small car was not able to cope with snow.

As a result of frustration at being snowed in I bought a four-wheel drive. Although this is a brilliant car, I couldn’t sell my old one, and still use it for small tasks such as trips to the supermarket. However, I began to realise that the search for two cheap insurance policies was too time consuming.

I soon had to buy a van for work, to accompany my small car and the four-wheel drive. I initially thought that fleet insurance only catered for companies with hundreds of vehicles, but after consulting an insurance broker, I was informed that not only could I take out a policy with just three vehicles, but also that different types of vehicles such as cars, vans and trucks can be insured on the same policy. After taking out a policy for my three vehicles, I got a discounted RAC breakdown cover price.

I was shocked to learn that I could also add my wife’s car to my fleet insurance policy. I have saved so much time by using one policy as opposed to four separate ones. If your household has three or more cars and fewer drivers, you should speak to a good insurance broker who will be able to sign you to a fleet insurance policy, saving you time and money.

This information can be gathered from your original insurer, insist that you need this information - you are entitled to it. One day I was visiting home and the truck wasn’t there. Truck Insurance fleet insurance Now I’m making sure the kids have the right insurance on their vehicles.