Minibus Sinks after Driver Relies on Sat Navigation

A minibus driver who relied on his Sat Nav system ended up with a sunken minibus after it guided him into a lake.

The minibus driver had such faith in his sat-nav that he didn't even notice traffic signs saying the road ahead had been closed.

As the minibus began to sink in the lake, he made a frantic phone call to police saying he and his two passengers were drowning. When rescuers arrived they found the three balancing on the roof of the bus.

The drama happened in Glubczyce in Poland on a road flooded last year to make a new reservoir. The driver and passengers escaped unhurt.

LDV Donate Minibus 

LDV minibus makers are helping military personnel who have been wounded in conflict by donating an adapted minibus.

The Birmingham based van and minibus manufacturer is providing the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association with a wheelchair adapted 15 seater LDV MAXUS to help servicemen and women who have been injured in the line of duty.

The donated vehicle will be used on a daily basis transporting patients and families between hospital and the accommodation for relatives.

 

Europe's First Tribrid Green Minibus

Europe’s first clean, green, zero emission minibus bus powered by three different environmentally friendly technologies will be unveiled and put through its paces at a launch on June 5 – which is also World Environment Day.

The unique minibus benefits from three types of power delivery – hydrogen fuel cell, lead acid battery technology and ultra-capacitators.

The minibus is the result of an international collaboration which was led and co-ordinated by the University of Glamorgan, with funding from the Energy Savings Trust, sponsorship from the Welsh Assembly Government and the support of minibus industry.

The minibus – which will be used as student transport between the University’s different campuses, has a range of approximately 150 miles based on a city centre drive cycle and a top speed of 55mph.

 

5 Tips for Cheap Minibus Insurance

Minibus Insurance isn''t always cheap, so we have put together our five top tips to help reduce your minibus insurance quote.

1) No Claims Bonus - The more No Claims Bonus you have available to use the lower the premium will be, remember No Claims Bonus can only be used on one minibus at a time, check to see if you have a spare discount available to use from an old policy.It is worth noting that some insurers will consider accepting No Claims Bonus from a private car policy, if this is the case it may be cost effective to remove the discount from the car policy and apply it to the minibus insurance.

2) Introductory Discounts - If you don''t have any No Claims Bonus you may still be entitled to an introductory discount, which can be equivalent to 3 years No Claims Discount. Some minibus insurers will allow the discount if you can prove an accident free history of driving a similar vehicle, for example as a named driver on someone elses policy.
 
3) Avoid Making Claims - If you have a fault accident and your insurers have to pay the repair bill, you will lose some (or all) of your No Claims Bonus, making next years premium more expensive. If you have a bump, think carefully before you decide whether to ask the insurers to pay for it. If there is minor damaged that can be repaired cheaply it may be more cost effective to pay for the repairs to the minibus out of your own pocket.

4) Increase Voluntary Excess - Most minibus insurance policies have a compulsary excess, this is the amount you will have to pay when making a claim. You can normally increase the excess in return for a discount, remember to make sure you are comfortable with the amount you set it at, as you will need to pay it to make a claim.

5) Restrict Driving - Most minibus insurance policies are flexible as to who can drive the vehicle, some allow open driving. By restricting the policy to just one or two drivers will normally result in a discount from the premium.

Finally, speak to a specialist minibus insurance company, the average car insurance broker is not an expert and will not have access to the same special rates.

Cheap Minibus Insurance for Voluntary Groups

We have negotiated some fantastic discounts on Minibus Insurance for non-profit making groups.

The Minibus Insurance packages also included enhanced Driving Restrictions and other benefits can be included such as Breakdown and Legal Expenses Cover.

We also offer further discounts for groups with more than one minibus.

If your group operates a Minibus and falls under any of the catagories below, please call us for an instant Minibus Insurance Quotation.

Non Profit Groups with a Minibus
Charity Minibus Owners
Scout, Guides & Boys Brigade Minibuses
Sports Club Minibus Drivers (Football, Swimming or any other club)
Age Concern Minibuses
Child Care & Nursery Minibuses
Schools, Colleges & Universities with a Minibus
Nursing & Care Home Minibus Owners

 

Minibus Insurance is our Speciality

At Total Insurance we specialise in providing low cost Minibus Insurance.

Our Minibus Insurance quotations are among the very lowest quotes in the UK with exceptional levels of cover that can include:

Enhanced Minibus No Claims Bonus Discounts (which can be transferred from a Private Car Insurance Policy, subject to acceptance)
Any Driver Minibus Policies
Flexible Policy Excess
Legal Expenses Cover
Cover for Passengers in the Minibus
Insurance for Minibus Contents
Glass Cover
European Driving Cover
Business or Personal Minibuse Use (with discounts for private use)
Low Mileage Discounts
 

If you own or operate a Minibus, whatever you use it for, we would like to hear from you so we can provide you with a Low Cost Minibus Insurance Quotation.

 

Row over parking threatens Age Concern Minibus

A dispute about parking could force an Age Concern minibus off the road, depriving elderly people of vital services and the charity of thousands of pounds of fund-raising.

A volunteer who parks the Minibus outside his home at a sheltered housing complex, currently drives the Minibus, but some of the driver’s neighbours have drawn up a petition to stop him parking the vehicle outside of the building.
 
The petition drawn up last summer came to nothing but this year the Housing Association, which owns the complex, has told the residents'' forum it will support the latest petition if he continues to park the minibus there.

Age Concern''s chief officer for the area, said volunteer drivers were in short supply and if the driver was forced to give up it would jeopardise the number of elderly people who would be able to attend the luncheon club and also miss out on summer trips.
 
The Housing Association''s communications officer, said residents were unhappy about the minibus being parked outside because it obstructed their views and caused them problems when crossing the road or entering the sheltered housing.

 

Eco-friendly School Minibus

A Secondary school is soon to take delivery of an eco-friendly minibus that runs on bio-diesel fuel derived from vegetable oil.
 
The School in Dagenham, expects to receive the £20,000 minibus, which can use oil from the kitchen in the next few days. The school has purchased the 16-seat minibus as part of a series of pioneering initiatives designed to help the environment.
 
Total Insurance applauds their green efforts and wishes the School every success with its initiatives. If you are looking for advice or information about running a School Minibus please get in touch, we are experts in all aspects of Minibus Insurance and our knowledgeable staff are on hand to answer any question relating to running, driving or insuring a minibus.

 

Hunt for School Minibus Arsonists

Croydon Police are hunting arsonists who set a school minibus ablaze in the early hours of Sunday morning.
 
The minibus was totally gutted by the blaze outside Oakwood School, in Godstone Road, Purley. And firefighters believe it could have been an attempt to set the school building itself on fire. The leaping flames and thick smoke attracted the attention of people at a party in a house opposite.

One partygoer said: "We could see this black smoke in the sky, so we went outside to see what was happening. "We were going to call the fire brigade, but a motorist had pulled over and already called them." The man said he had not seen anyone near the minibus, which was parked in the forecourt of the school, apart from the motorist. Purley firefighters were called to the scene at 1.56am on Sunday.
 
The Fire Crew Watch Manager said: "It looks like someone has tried to burn a vehicle and push it towards the actual building of the school." A spokesman for Croydon police said: "Police were called by the London Fire Brigade at about 2am on Sunday to Oakwood School, where the fire brigade were dealing with a vehicle fire." He added: "Severe damage was caused to the vehicle. The fire is being treated as suspicious, and Croydon police are investigating. No arrests have been made."
 
At Total Insurance we have specialist insurance policies for School Minibus Insurance, please contact us if you would like an Instant Minibus Insurance Quote.

 

Community Minibus Scheme

Getting about has just got a little easier for residents in two small towns in Wales. Organisers of the community bus scheme for the town''s and villages in and around Neath and Port Talbot''s have taken delivery of a brand new minibus.

The 16-seater, low-floor minibus will enable the Community Transport scheme to help more people get out and about. "This extra vehicle means more residents of Neath Port Talbot will benefit from additional low-cost, accessible transport to take them to places like doctor''s surgeries, hospital appointments and social outings," said a spokeswoman. The Optare Alero minibus is wheelchair-friendly and was purchased with help of the local Council. First set up eight years ago to serve local residents, the scheme has expanded and now provides transport to more areas than ever. It now operates eight vehicles and has more than 780 members. Over the past year, drivers have carried out 2,963 journeys and transported 21,625 people.

At Total Insurance we have special policies tailor made for community transport minibus schemes, we can cover any number of minibuses or coaches on one fleet policy and offer some fantastic community transport discounts. If you would like an Minibus Insurance Quote for a community transport scheme please get in touch.


 

Minibus in Floods

A minibus full of teenagers was nearly swept into a swollen river during the floods that have devastated Southern England recently.

The journey to Worth Matravers in Dorset should have taken the 12 to 16-year-old’s only five hours, but it became an epic 15-hour journey through rising flood waters.When they reached the Warwickshire village of Shipston-on-Stour it seemed they could go no further. While vehicles bobbed in the water around them, their driver ploughed through nearly three feet of fast-moving burst river water at the base of a hill.

She said: "We were advised not to accelerate through it but the current was so strong it was sweeping us to the other side, towards the river. "The kids were saying ''Go for it, go for it'' because they could feel it pulling us across the road. It was frightening. When you''ve got 14 children in the back who belong to other people, you just accelerate all the way through. You don''t want to have to tell people you''ve lost all their kids. "Accompanied by another leader, she said the youngsters cheered like mad once they made it through.
 
The group, who were hoping to go fishing and kayaking in Dorset, had set off at 10am that day but broke down for five hours at a Warwick motorway service station. With no radio to tell them what was happening, they set off along the A40 which was hit by delays after mud banks beside the road collapsed and it took them five hours to drive another three-quarters-of-a-mile.

It was 6pm before they reached Shipston, where they were horrified to see the village almost completely under water.

The group were eventually able to head off for Dorset at 4am on Saturday and arrived at the Worth Matravers camp, a charity-run centre for field trips, five hours later. Although they missed their scheduled kayaking and fishing activities, they spent the holiday playing on the beach in glorious sunshine.

 

Football Club''s fund raising to buy minibus

Tranmere Rovers Football Club supporters are helping to raise funds for a new minibus to provide transport for community disability football coaching sessions. A ground collection is being held at the club''s ground, Prenton Park, prior to the opening match of the new Coca-Cola League One season, against Leeds United, on Saturday, August 11 (kick-off 3pm).

With help from the Tranmere Rovers in the Community team, a number of fund raising initiatives have already taken place, including the completion of the Wirral Coastal Walk earlier this summer which is expected to eventually raise £7,500.
 
It is hoped the ground collection will go some way to reaching the total required to purchase the new minibus, which costs about £30,000, which will enable disabled people to fully involve themselves in the football coaching sessions run by Tranmere Rovers In The Community.

Total Insurance provide specialist minibus insurance for football teams and clubs with a minibus, if you would like a free no obligation quotation please get in touch.


 

Hats off to the Morgan Foundation

The Morgan Foundation are an organisation providing grants and minibuses to charities working with people with disabilities in the Merseyside area.

Set up in 1974 by local businessman Steve Morgan OBE, the Morgan Foundation has donated many minibuses to charitable organisations, with the emphasis on helping children, families and those who are disabled. Recently the Morgan Foundation have been donating Ford Transit minibuses which are often adapted for use by physically disabled passengers.

Minibus recipients are carefully consulted on their needs to ensure the correct adaptations are achieved and all buses are finished with the Morgan Foundation Smiley bus logo along with the receiving organisation''s name, logo and contact details.
 
Total Insurance have special charity minibus insurance policies, which offer ''any driver'' cover along with substantial charity minibus discounts. If you would like free advice or a no obligation minibus insurance quotation please get in touch.


 

LDV - Company of the year

A resurgent LDV, the Birmingham minibus and van manufacturer, has been named UK Company of the Year by the Institute of Transport Management.

LDV, honoured for an "outstanding" business turnaround, fought off competition from 16 companies, including runners up Virgin Trains and British Midland Airlines.

The accolade comes less than two years after LDV went into administration when higher production costs incurred by the launch of its award-winning Maxus van caused a cash crunch.

After a spell in the ownership of a US private equity firm, the company was bought by Russian commercial vehicle specialist Gaz, which has invested heavily in new models and new production facilities. LDV was able to announce recently that it had returned to profit, at the operating level, after a year under Gaz''s ownership.

A spokesman said "This announcement comes as a result of the Institute''s most extensive researching of the entire transport industry. "LDV, a company with very strong British roots, has maintained its identity throughout good times and bad, and today sits at the top of what is an ultra-competitive light commercial vehicle market.

"LDV''s chief executive Steve Young said the award would continue to strengthen the company''s standing in the commercial vehicle industry. "We are very proud to receive this prestigious award after what has been a remarkable 12 months," he said. "GAZ Group has provided us with the resource for investment in new products allowing us to double our manufacturing line rates, increase our UK sales volumes by 50 per cent and enter into new markets."The investment has seen a new £6 million production line installed, and has led to more new product launches, including the Maxus chassis cab range, a 12 and 17-seat minibus, and two new engines.

The new product ranges and the increased levels of sales in the UK and export markets will see about 100 new jobs created by the end of 2007 adding to the 140 already generated since the GAZ takeover. The Institute of Transport Management works with Government and academic bodies to monitor, improve standards and professionalism in the transport industry.
 
Total Insurance specialise in minibus insurance and can offer excellent quotes on all models, including LDV, Ford Transit, Citroen, Peugeot and Volkswagen Minibuses. If you would like a free, no obligation minibus insurance quote please get in touch.


 

Minibus Driver hailed a hero

Total Insurance have learned about the driver of a minibus which crashed down a motorway embankment and has been hailed a hero by passengers who have said his actions saved their lives''.

The driver, who was in control of the 33 seater minibus which was travelling back to Burnley after a works outing, fought to control the minibus as it crashed down an embankment near junction 29 of the M6 Passengers were injured when a transit van shunted into the rear of the rented minibus pushing it down the embankment as they returned home, shortly after 10pm. Most of the passengers escaped with minor injuries including a man who had to have plastic surgery after he severed his right index finger in the accident.
 
The driver, who has been driving minibuses for 13 years, said he did what any other driver would have done. The 46-year-old, said: "There was no time to do anything" I had to use 100 per cent of my concentration to keep the bus under control and I had some degree of control but the back of the minibus flipped on its side.

"After a couple of minutes I realised I wasn''t hurt and got out through the windscreen and gave a hand to those who were still in there." Passengers have said that they believed that the drivers actions had saved their lives. One said: "It could have been a lot worse if the bus driver had not kept control of the mini-bus.
 
"I want to thank the bus driver for saving my life. "I was extremely scared when I heard the bang I thought a tyre had blown out and we had to swerve towards the central reservation. "It was blind panic and every one just held on to something.


 

Minibus falls off transporter

Police have appealed for information after a minibus fell off a car transporter, and collided with the central reservation on a busy dual carriageway.

The incident happened on Wednesday August 8 at around 11.15am, when a Volvo car transporter carrying a number of 16 seater minibuses was being driven northbound along the A34 near Newbury in Berkshire.
 
When the vehicle reached the village of Tothill one of the minibuses it was carrying fell off the top deck colliding with the central reservation. Amazingly no other vehicles were involved and nobody was injured.
 
A spokesman for the Police said “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident to come forward and help police with their enquiries,". Total Insurance are minibus insurance specialists and have special facilities for insuring multi-seat vehicles from 7 seats up to large coaches, whatever the vehicle is used for.


 

React Minibus

A disability group in Hertfordshire are appealing for help to buy a new minibus. React are a voluntary group who provide advice and help for disabled and elderly people.

It also has a minibus which is used by local groups, but the bus is now in a bad condition and unlikely to last another year.

React hire the bus out to other local groups, some of whom use it regularly. The minibus has become a life line for the carers and clients of some groups, and one has said that without this service there is a possibility that they may have to close.

React are appealing to local or countywide businesses who read of their plight and hope that someone may offer to donate a bus, make donations or offer a sponsorship deal.


 

New Minibus for Church Drop in Centre

Fundraising activities and generous donations have enabled a Church drop in centre for adults with long-term mental health problems to buy a new minibus.

The Central Methodist Church in Letchworth, Hertfordshire have recently celebrated the arrival of their new minibus.

The club organises trips to local venues and annual trips to the coast, as well as activities such as art, bingo, flower arranging, cards and scrabble. The club''s secretary and fundraiser, said: "I am amazed at how local organisations and club members have responded to our appeal. "We now have a wonderful new 15-seater minibus with a lift for two wheelchairs.

"I am sure the new vehicle will provide many years of service to the drop-in club, church groups and other community groups in the town."

At Total Insurance we specialise in offering low cost Minibus Insurance, we have tailor made minibus insurance policies for charity groups, clubs, voluntary organisations and churches/religious groups. If you would like a free, no obligation minibus insurance quotation please get in touch.

 

Community Minibus Fund Raising

A £40,000 drive to find cash to provide a vital voluntary organisation with a new minibus has passed the half way mark.

The New Park Educational Trust in St Andrews, Scotland, was set up with money from the sale of part of a school playing field. The trust helps provide education and activities for young people, and the sale of the playing field has donated £15,000 towards a new minibus.

The Cosmos Centre, who will be the recipients of the minibus is a base for a thriving group of organisations and a learning outreach centre, they have already raised £9000 thanks to a wave of support from local people and organisations since the June launch of a fund-raising campaign for a replacement minibus, expected to cost in the region of £40,000.

The Cosmos After-school Club is one of the most successful in the local area, with more than 100 families registered each year, and the current minibus collects children from all the local primary schools. The minibus is also used by more than 20 community groups, many of whom cannot afford to buy their own minibus or pay commercial transport rates.

However, the 10-year-old minibus, which has facilities for wheelchair users, is showing signs of deterioration and broke down recently.

Total Insurance are minibus insurance specialists and have tailor made insurance policies for community and voluntary groups, if you would like a free, no obligation quotation please get in touch.


 

School Minibus improves childrens lives

The lives of children at a special needs school is set to improve after they took delivery of a new mini bus this week. New Horizons, in Kent, received the keys of the bus on Monday after a donation from a local construction company and help from the Sunshine Variety Club.

The new arrival means the school now has three vehicles for their 100 pupils to use, which teachers believe will be vital to their education needs.

The deputy head at New Horizons, said: "This kind donation of the new mini bus means we can offer a more diverse curriculum and give the pupils a number of different alternatives. "Unlike other schools we cannot rely on public transport, so without this kind of sponsorship teachers would have to take out insurance on their own cars to enable the children to go out.

"This bus will mean school groups will be able to enjoy field trips and other outings, and we are extremely grateful to everyone for supporting us in this."

Total Insurance have specialist school minibus insurance policies, offering tailor made cover and low premiums, if you would like a free no obligation insurance quotation for your school minibus please get in touch.


 

Hydrogen Fuelled Minibus Debuts in London

A prototype minibus fuelled by hydrogen and created in Wales will be showcased for the first time in London this week.

The idea is the brainchild of experts at the University of Glamorgan and has been funded by the Energy Saving Trust and supported by the Welsh Assembly Government.

With ever increasing fuel costs this environmentally friendly alternative could be the future of minibus travel, especially for private hire and PCV/PSV minibus and coach drivers who cover large numbers of miles.


 

York Wheels up for national award

A voluntary organisation, which provides community transport for York residents, has been short-listed for a national award.

York Wheels has been short-listed for The Guardian Charity Awards 2007 for their charity work in York. The charity takes people to the shops, the coast, the hospital or dentist as well as many social events, such as Bingo or to the cinema.

York Wheels undertook a total of 30,128 journeys providing community transport last year. The judges will look through all of the applications and assess each in turn, finally deciding upon the five winners.

Total Insurance have specially designed minibus insurance policies for community transport groups and offer generous discounts for multi vehicle fleet policies. If you would like a free, no obligation quotation either give us a call or complete the online minibus insurance quote form.


 

Charity Auction for Care Home Minibus

A charity auction has raised £750 towards the £30,000 cost of a specialist minibus for disabled people. Nearly 100 people attended the event, which was held at The Barn at St Wilfrid’s Church in Calverley, to help raise money for the Leonard Cheshire care home .

It was organised by the care home''s Calverley support group to raise money for the modified minibus.

A spokesman for the Calverley Support Group who organised the event, thanked those who donated and everyone for attending.

Total Insurance specialise in minibus insurance for care homes, Nursing Homes and charity organisations and offer excellent levels of cover along with low premiums, for a free no obligation quotation get in touch.


 

Correct Licence to Drive a Minibus?

Some people are a little confused when it comes to knowing which driving licence and entitlements are required to drive a Minibus by law.
 
Whether for personal use, Private Hire, Business, Charity or Community Minibuses, here you can find an explanation of the different types of Minibus Driving Licences and suitable training available.
 
It also explains how to attain a minibus driving licence through the DSAtheory and practical driving tests. This should give you the relevant information to ensure that you are driving your minibus safely and legally.

If you are still unsure please contact us for further information we will be more than happy to help.

 

Fleet Insurance

Did you know Total Insurance also offer Fleet Insurance policies?

As the UK''s leading minibus insurance broker many people don''t realise that we also offer very competitive fleet insurance quotes.
 
For owners of 3 or more vehicles we have a number of leading insurers who will offer generous multi-vehicle discounts for having them all covered on the same fleet insurance policy. If you would like a fleet insurance quotation or to find out more please call us on 0870 7778718.


 

How many hours can you drive a minibus for?

From April 11, 2007 new government legislation requires businesses, schools, charities and other organisations operating a minibus with 10-17 seats on a commercial basis to fit tachograph equipment to their minibuses to monitor the amount of time drivers’ spend behind the wheel.
 
The new rules aim to reduce accidents by restricting minibus drivers from spending long periods driving a minibus.

Breaking the rules could result in a fine and potentially invalidate a minibus insurance policy. For more information on which Minibus Operators require tachographs and why these tachograph’s are required for Minibuses visit the government VOSA website.


 

New Minibus Licence Rules

School children could lose out on opportunities to play sports and go on school trips because of new European legislation which means teachers who passed their test after January 1997 will no longer be automatically entitled to drive school minibuses used to take youngsters out.
 
The new rules apply to anyone driving a Minibus on a commercial basis, but not to those driving for charities or voluntary groups.
 
It is not clear if there will be scope for workers such as teachers to get around the legislation by driving voluntarily rather than for work but Hampshire County Council is advising them not to take any risks.

A spokesman said: "This is European legislation over which we have no influence and while we are lobbying at Government level, we have to advise teachers that if they passed their test after 1997 and have not got a D1 licence then they could be prosecuted if stopped and, importantly, it could invalidate their insurance cover." People who drive a Minibus with more than 9 passenger seats will have to take an extra test to upgrade their driving licence to include the D1 extension, which was an automatic entitlement for people who passed their driving test before January 1997.

The additional test people would have to take would be a huge and expensive undertaking that would qualify them to drive not just a minibus, but a lorry.

If you are unsure about minibus driving licences please get in touch and speak to one of our minibus insurance experts for immediate, free advice.


 

Thieves Drive Away in Charity Minibus

A 16 seat Minibus belonging to a charity worth £25,000 has been stolen from a car park in Chadwell Heath.

The Minibus was used to bring multiple sclerosis sufferers to a centre where they could enjoy services such as bathing, yoga and reflexology, and take them home again.

The Minibus was left in a locked car park, but when the driver returned the gates had been cut with bolt cutters and the Minibus had gone.

The theft of the minibus underlines the importance of having the correct minibus insurance cover.

Total Insurance have tailor made policies for charity and non profit groups with a minibus, if you would like to discuss any aspect of minibus insurance please get in touch.


 

Minibus and Coach Seatbelts Rules

A quick reference guide to Minibus and Coach seat belt laws. Minibuses and Coaches Registered On or After 1 October 2001.

All minibuses and coaches registered on or after 1 October 2001 (whether they carry child or adult passengers) must have forward-facing or rearward-facing seat belts. Minibuses and Coaches Registered Before 1 October 2001.
 
When the main purpose of the trip is to transport three or more children, minibuses and coaches registered before 1 October 2001 must have a forward facing seat for each child, fitted with either a three-point seat belt or a lap belt.
 
If you would like advice or information on any aspect of minibus or coach insurance or about rules and regulations please get in touch.

 

Church Minibus Torched by Vandals

Members of a Church in New Bradwell were left stranded after vandals torched their minibus.

The arson attack on their 12-seater couldn''t have come at a worse time – the church just had its planning application for a security fence refused by the council.

The Minibus was found on Sunday morning, just before service was due to start it had been completely gutted. Police reports suggested the fire happened between 1 and 2am that morning. "The minibus is essential to our congregation," said a spokesman for the Church. "Without it we can''t collect the isolated members of the Church who do not have transport." He went onto describe how the minibus helps housebound people out of their homes to interact with society.

He said: "We feel really saddened and disappointed at what has happened. It''s a sad reflection of the yob culture we have in society, and we should all try to tackle this problem." The discovery of the torched minibus, which is covered by the church''s minibus insurance, is another blow to the congregation after they learned they could not protect their property.

Total Insurance have tailor made policies for Church and Religious Groups with a minibus, if you would like a free, no obligation quotation, please get in touch.

 

Fleet Insurance

Total Insurance are delighted to have launched the new Fleet Insurance page on the website, which provides details of the advantages of holding your Fleet Insurance policy through a specialist Fleet Insurance Broker.
 
Some of the main advantages of a specialist Fleet Insurance Broker are Flexibility with who can drive - many of our Fleet Insurance policies offer any driver over 21 as standard.

A dedicated account handler for your Fleet Insurance - meaning you only speak to one person about your policy Low policy excesses - meaning less to pay in the event of an ''at fault'' claim 24 hour Accident Management service.

If you would like a Fleet Insurance quotation or to find out more please call us on 0870 7778718.


 

Vandals Attack Minibus

Yobs have caused £1,000 worth of damage to a minibus that takes disabled children to school.

The minibus, which belongs to a company from Buckley in Wales had been parked on a street in Connah''s Quay, and was attacked in the early hours of yesterday morning. Six windows were smashed, causing around £1,000 worth of damage. It is now likely the owner will have to make a claim against their minibus insurance policy, which could potentially increase their insurance premium and result in them having to pay a policy excess.

We specialise in Minibus Insurance, if you would like advice or information about insuring a minibus please get in touch.

 

Man''s legacy gets care home a minibus

Tributes have been paid to "mild-mannered" gentleman David Bingham, who left a £30,000 lifeline to his former nursing home.

Kindhearted David Bingham 51 had been cared for at Longueville Court Care Home in Peterborough 2004, but passed away last July.

He had been looked after in his final days by specially trained staff at the younger people''s unit, aimed at those aged 18 to 64 with physical difficulties.And as a heartfelt thank-you to them, he bequeathed the sum of cash in his will – which has paid for a top-of-the-range minibus to send the elderly and infirm on revitalising outings.

Their old vehicle was ailing and desperately needed replacing but the costs to buy a new one were too steep. So overjoyed bosses at the home – which caters for both private and NHS clients – said the "surprise" gesture would be a fitting legacy to Mr Bingham, while also improving the 105 residents'' quality of life. During a special ceremony, his mother Jean Watkins – who still keeps in touch with the home – travelled from Melton Mowbray to present the gleaming new minibus to delighted staff. Home manager Peter Barlow said: "We had been struggling with an old minibus for a few years which needed money spent on it each year for repairs.

"We were hoping to have a new one for two to three years, but the cost of £30,000 was too expensive to fund ourselves.

"The money was sent to our head office initially so it wasn''t until some time later I got to hear about it. "I was at a conference in Wales and saw a new minibus and said it''s a shame we can''t afford it. "But I was told, ''you can.'' It was a very pleasant surprise."The seven-seater minibus has removable seats to enable access for three wheelchairs. It has already ferried people on strawberry picking trips and days out to the seaside.

Mr Barlow said: "The residents will be able to travel in more comfort and also further afield. Their quality of life will be improved thanks to this minibus. "Leaving us the money just demonstrates the sort of person David was to think of others, even after he passed away. "He was a large man, but mild-mannered and generous. "We really appreciate the gesture and have a memorial plaque for him in the minibus."

 

Scouts Minibus Engine Stripped

Thieves have stripped a Black Country scout group’s minibus engine, leaving them stranded.

Leaders of the Howley Grange group in Halesowen are now keeping their fingers crossed that their prized bus can be fixed in time for an upcoming camping trip.
 
The setback is the latest in a series of crimes which has even seen diesel drained and stolen from the scout groups minibus. Now a series of security measures such as CCTV may be introduced in a bid to beef up security and deter thieves.

The group, which includes scouts, cubs and beavers, noticed the latest theft on Sunday. Leaders say that both side mirrors were taken along with the battery, fuel filter and other engine parts.

For a Scout Minibus Insurance quotation, speak to Total Insurance. 

 

Ring and Ride Charity Minibus Service

A ring-and-ride minibus service has received £1,000 from the Heart of England Co-operative Society.

The charity based in Coventry provides a door-to-door service for people with limited mobility who find it difficult to use normal public transport. The money will be used to fund extra trips for people in the local area. Ring and ride is one of six charities chosen by the society to receive a share of £10,000 from their Helping Hearts Awards scheme. The others are the NSPCC, Guide Dogs for the Blind, St John Ambulance, Salvation Army and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

A spokesman for the Heart of England Co-operative Society, said: "Ring-and-ride is a service that gives older members of the local community a much-needed lifeline and a greater level of freedom, so we are delighted to support them with a donation.

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