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Introduction:

If you’re a car enthusiast who loves to change and modify your vehicle, you understand the joy of turning your ordinary ride into a unique and powerful machine. However, insuring a customised car can be a challenge, often coming with hefty insurance premium. But fear not, because Graham Sykes Insurance is here to provide you with affordable modified car insurance solutions that allow you to protect your prized possession without breaking the bank.

Why Choose Graham Sykes for Modified Vehicle Cover?

1. ** Specialised Expertise: **

Graham Sykes Insurance has been serving the motor community for over 40 years. We understand the passion and dedication that goes into car modifications. Our team consists of experts who specialise in modified vehicle cover, making them well-equipped to tailor policies to your specific needs.

2. **Affordable Premiums: **

One of the primary concerns for modified car owners is the cost of insurance. We offer competitive premiums, ensuring that you can enjoy your customised vehicle without emptying your wallet.

3. ** Comprehensive Cover: **

Graham Sykes provides a wide range of cover options, including protection for engine modifications, bodywork enhancements, suspension upgrades, and more.

4. ** Convenient Online Quote and Buy Facility: **

We have made it easy for customers to get a quote and purchase a policy through our secure online area. You can visit our Quote and Buy facility to get started. This user-friendly tool allows you to input your vehicle’s details and customisation information to receive a tailored quote quickly.

5. ** Dedicated Customer Support: **

If you have any questions or need assistance during the process, We have a dedicated customer support team ready to help. You can reach out to them for personalised guidance and support.

Conclusion:

Owning a modified car is a thrilling experience, but it comes with the responsibility of protecting your investment. Graham Sykes understands the unique needs of modified vehicle owners. We offer affordable, customised insurance solutions to ensure that your pride and joy is adequately covered. With decades of experience, competitive premiums, and a convenient online Quote and Buy facility, we make it easier than ever to secure the right insurance for your modified vehicle. Visit our online quote and buy facility today to get a quote and take the first step toward protecting your cherished car. Drive with confidence, knowing that Graham Sykes has you covered with affordable Modified Car Insurance.

Check your legal requirements with DVLA.

Graham Sykes Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Is cover available against the cancellation, postponement, relocation or abandonment of events due to new UK Civil Authority restrictions in response to COVID-19?

Covid 19 and your events, should I be buying insurance?

The Government and a group of insurers have been working to set up a new scheme which sees both insurer and the Government underwrite the risk. Details set out on 6^th September 2021 can be viewed on this link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/live-events-reinsurance-scheme

Should this be something that I should be looking at?

This depends largely on the amount of money you might lose if any additional restrictions were put in place because of changes to the course of the pandemic. A new variant for example, that meant that you were not able to go ahead with your events as planned, because you were told to cancel by the UK Civil Authority, might have catastrophic impact. If the amount of the losses were such that you would not be able to pay these yourselves, then exploring this cover might well be a good idea.

If you regularly purchased event cancellation insurance in the past, then this extension to that cover might be more important to you.

How do I go about getting a quote?

The first step is to talk to us. At the time of writing details have not been fully released yet, as final wording is still being ironed out. but This does not mean you cannot be ready when it is available, it is expected very soon. Here at Graham Sykes, we deal with this everyday and can arrange for you to be kept up to date as the details are released.

We can then arrange for you to have a quotation so that you make an informed decision about whether it is right for you. This is a FREE part of our service!

What exactly does the policy cover?

An idea of what I covered is outlined in the document above, but more details will be available once the insurers release their products to the public. In general terms it works in a similar way to any cancellation policy currently available. For example, where sums of money can be claimed if certain events such as bad weather may mean your event cannot go ahead.

In this case the insurance is for the risk that your event cannot go ahead because you have been told to cancel by the UK Civil Authorities as a result of Covid 19.

Please remember any claims are dealt with on a claim by claim basis. It is also a good idea to make sure that any losses you are concerned about don’t fall under the exclusions of the policy, so give yourself time to check this out, do let your broker know the details of your concern so that we can make sure you are buying the cover that is right for you.

How much does it cost?

We don’t know just yet, but you can contact us now and we will arrange a quotation once we have the details. Please do remember that you have an obligation to provide a fair assessment of the risk involved, if this is found not to be the case then any claims you make might not be met. You can get in touch now by clicking here

Green Card

From the 1^st January 2021 you will be required to carry a ‘green card’ with you when driving in the EEA remember that includes Eire, Andorra, Serbia or Switzerland. You are required to carry a green card to evidence that you have the correct insurance. Green cards are usually valid for 15 days, however if your trip is longer than this it can be extended, just speak with your insurance provider.

It is also important to let your broker or insurance company know your travel plans, they normally like to know the dates or travel, countries you are visiting and if you are towing. For clients wanting to take a trailer or caravan – A separate Green Card is required for any towed vehicle.

How to get one?

Simply call your broker or insurance provider and explain to them about your plans to drive abroad. They will be able to advise on the necessary steps and provide you with a Green Card. We recommend doing this before your date of travel to ensure you have received it prior to your trip.

European Breakdown Cover.

It is also a useful idea to check that your breakdown cover is extended to driving abroad. This can be a crucial element of travelling outside of the UK. European breakdown cover as some great benefits including Emergency overnight accommodation, alternative travel and much more.

If you are looking for a breakdown policy to cover you whilst driving abroad call us on 01395 255100. We also provide specialist breakdown cover for non-standard vehicles.

Useful links:

https://graham-sykes.co.uk/standard-motor-breakdown-recovery/

Buy Breakdown & Recovery Online

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-abroad

Military Vehicles A to Z.

Abbot FV433 Self Propelled Gun
Bedford QLR Signals Vehicle
Centurion ARV Mark 2
Dodge WC9 Ambulance
Excelsior Welbike
Fox Armoured Car
Gaz 67
Humber Pig
Indian 741
Jackson M36 Tank Destroyer
Kaiser M151
Land Rover 101 Forward Control
Matchless G3 L
Norton WD Big Four
Opel Blitz
Pinzgauer 710MK
Quad (Nickname of Morris C8 Field Artillery Tractor)
Reo M109 A3
Stuart M5 A1
Thornycraft MK9
Uaz 452
Volvo BV 202
White M3
XM 1216 Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (ok, not quite what we were thinking but it is an “X”)
YW750 ambulance based on the YW531
Zil 131

We’d also love to see and hear about your military vehicles, head over to our Facebook page to share them with us.

Let us know if your vehicle is listed in our Military Vehicles A to Z.

A Guide to Protecting Your Unoccupied Property During The Winter.

Heat – It is a good idea to heat the property daily during the winter months, this can be done by either setting it to come on at a certain time or kept on throughout the day at a low and sustainable temperature.
Water – If the property is due to be unoccupied for a lengthy period of time, you may wish to consider turning off the water supply at the stopcock or draining the radiators, be sure to check this isn’t shared with anyone else though.
Council Tax – Unoccupied Properties – You may still be required to pay council tax on your unoccupied property, however speak to your local cancel as a discount may be offered.
Safe and secure – The Security of the property is important, locks, alarms and security measures can be put in place but it is also a good idea to ensure the exterior of the home is kept in a good state to deter intruders or burglars from noticing it is an unoccupied property.
Regular inspections – It is important to ensure your unoccupied property is checked regularly. If you are lucky enough to be enjoying some sunshine somewhere then ask a friend or family member to check on the property. We recommend weekly checks so that any potential problems are picked up on quickly.
Insurance – Double check your property insurance is suitable for empty or unoccupied property. Insurers will provide terms and conditions for you to follow during the period of the property being unoccupied.

Car Modifications an A to Z – Modifications Made Simple

A – Alloy Wheels: Often made from Magnesium or Aluminum. Alloys have less weight in comparison to standard wheels and can improve acceleration and stopping. They look pretty cool as well.

B – Body Kit: A modification made to the exterior of your vehicle, including side skirts, bonnet scoop, front and rear bumpers.

C- Cold Air intake: Aftermarket cold air intake is usually fitted to allow cool air into the cars internal-combustion engine.

D- Donor engine: removing the vehicles original engine and replacing it with one from another vehicle.

E- Exhaust Upgrades: Creates more power to the vehicle and can improve the running of the engine.

F- Fenders: Usually located on front and rear wheels. Its main functionality is to prevent the body of the car being damaged from any debris or liquid from the road.

G- Gear Modifications: Changing your Gear Shift Knob may compliment the interior of your vehicle, but will add little change to its performance.

H- High Performance Brakes: Usually has a good friction level and pedal feel, also increases braking performance.

I – Induction kits: An air filter that can also increase the volume of the air intake of your vehicle.

J – Just can’t stop Modifying: When you can’t get enough of making those special changes to your vehicle.

K – Knock Sensor: A sensor that monitors the engines performance.

L – Lowering Kits: Lowering your vehicle can enhance handling performance and is often done to improve the body of your car.

M – Mapping (Re mapping) – Also known as ‘Chipping’ involves adjusting your Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to override the original factory setting of the vehicle.

N – NOS: Also known as Nitrous Oxide System, NOS allows the engine to burn more fuel and boosts the horsepower.

O – Oh Wow!: The kind of response you get when others see your Modified vehicle.

P – Port Head: Port and polishing helps the engine to produce more power. It helps to reduce the amount of work the engine has to do when the engine intakes the fuel and air mix and then getting rid of the exhaust gases.

Q – Quality Race Seats & Harnesses: Replacing your seats adds a sleek appears to the interior of the vehicle but can also protect the driver in an event of an accident.

R – Roll Cage: A Specially constructed frame which is either built in or around the vehicle, this protects the driver in an event of a road traffic accident.

S – Suspension Modifications: Suspension Pads, Shock Absorbers, Spring Rating (to name a few).

T – Turbocharger: Increases the engines efficiency, performance and power of your vehicle.

U – Upgraded Brake Discs: Allows for more accurate braking and improves stopping power.

V – Vortex Generator: Usually found on wing surfaces, this can disturb the airflow running over the bodywork of the vehicle.

W – Window Tint: Some people choose to do this to enhance the appearance of their vehicle, however window tinting also block UV rays.

X- E(X)haust – Okay we’ve cheated a bit there, but you get the point ?

Y – Wh(Y) – Why do it? Because you can and it makes your vehicle that little bit more special.

Z – We’ve been wracking our brains trying to think of one, think you can out smart us? Please do let us know! (Could be – Zzzzzz, the need for sleep after all the work to make your car bespoke, just the way you like it)

P.S. Thanks to Terry for allowing us to use a picture of his vehicle ?

Buying Insurance, who’d have it? Love it or hate it we all need to protect ourselves against risks that we cannot afford to pay for ourselves. Whether you sell handmade jewellery or put on a stage show, if it involves people you will need to deal with the risk of bodily injury or damage.

I could write a book on the number of different views and experiences people have told me over the years. Some have lucky escapes and some are not so lucky! Let’s face it, obtaining insurance is probably one of the only things you buy up front. You do this before you have earned any money and you really hope that it is a complete waste of time.
So what’s in it for me? Well that depends on how much money you have already. Self insurance, where you pay for everything that goes wrong is certainly an option. However this depends on if you are allowed to in any contract you agree to. Most of us however, could not afford to pay for the fees and ongoing care that a person needs if they get injured. And remember that does not include the legal costs!

The best and worst stories of all are the ones that begin with the statement “my mate says I need”. Or even “I have spoken to an insurance guy and he just tried to sell me”. Both statements strike fear into my heart because, bottom line you carry the can!

Buying insurance is all about two things. Firstly, having someone else decide if it was actually your fault. And secondly not having to give up your livelihood should the worst happen. These might sound harsh but when you think your actions may have had some nasty consequences. I would feel bad trying to make decisions about what is best for another person. The other thing of course is, it might not have been your fault.

Insurance policies are set up as “good faith contracts. This means you must tell the insurer or broker everything they need to know about the cover you want. It is important to answer any questions as fully as possible. Whilst you might have a cheaper premium by leaving out important information, if someone tries to make a claim against you then you may have to pay the whole claim yourself, including those legal costs.

If you have any queries we will be only too pleased to help, call us on 01395 255 100.

You can also make contact by sending an email to events@graham-sykes.co.uk.

So how to get hold of a quote on my own.

For those of you who are seasoned event organisers or stallholders it could not be simpler, just hop online. Many companies, including mine, give you online access to a full quote and buy system.

A few things worth checking beforehand though:

Getting the correct level of public liability cover can be difficult enough. Therefore, buying insurance for £millions can seem very strange but consider why you are buying it. For example public and employers liability covers bodily injury. This money may be used to provide care which could be needed for years.

Remember insurance contacts are “good faith” contracts so you need to set them up truthfully. You may need to answer some qualifying questions before you buy your policy. It is very important that you answer them correctly. If you are unsure then call your chosen provider before you buy .

Looking after your helpers is a legal requirement, this even includes volunteers. They all need to be covered under employers’ liability.

In some cases event organisers or site owners may say that they want a specific level of public liability. Some, councils for example, may ask you for £5m. It is worth checking before you buy because amending policies afterwards may incur a charge.

If you are selling something you will also need to consider product liability. In some cases this is set to the same value as your public liability. So please check the policy wording or call your broker or insurer.

There are other covers that may be available to cover stock and property. You may also want protection against cancellation. Many additional covers are available on the online quote and buy options. But if you have thought of one that isn’t there just give us a call.

Online purchase means you should get all your documents almost instantly. However, before you put them in your bag ready for your event, please take time to check they are correct. It is far better to change mistakes before the event.

Once you have chosen your provider. Selected the level of cover you need. Answered all the questions and paid the premium. The only thing left to do is focus on making the most of your event or stall.

Now I have it all under control!

Good luck!

You may have read in the press that the DVLA have withdrawn the counterpart driving licence (Paper Endorsement Section) with effect from 8th June 2015. You will no longer be required to keep the counterpart, and any new driving licence applications will be issued without the counterpart.

Insurance companies will still need to validate information that has been supplied to them regarding your policy, and the following procedure will need to be followed.

Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-licence-changes
You will need to enter your Driving Licence Number, National Insurance Number and Postcode (Please make sure that you use the postcode that is shown on your photocard driving licence).
Once you consent to the DVLA checking your information, you will be presented with your driving licence details. Click on the “Share your licence information” tab
Click on the “Create a Code” button, you will be presented with a random code, this code will last for 3 weeks, and can only be used once. Therefore please click on the “view, print or save your licence information” link. This will give you the option to save the file as a PDF.
Email the saved PDF file to us to the following email address : info@graham-sykes.co.uk quoting your name and address and you client reference number.

Please Note: Each driver on your policy will need to obtain their licence information and follow the above steps.
It’s a criminal offence to obtain someone else’s personal information without their permission.

Download the visual how to here

What to do with your paper counterpart

The paper counterpart to a driving licence has had no legal status since 8 June 2015. You should destroy yours if you have one, but keep your photocard driving licence.

Report by Mike Champion on a “taster” visit to the

Flight Simulator – Now at The Flybe Training Academy

Sometime ago the Virtual Jet Centre invited Graham Sykes, Chief Executive of Graham Sykes Insurance for a brief “demo” session in their flight simulator. Graham asked if I would visit on his behalf and evaluate the session to see what relevance it might have to his business. I have a passion for aviation I was an RAF pilot for twenty years and then worked in a family business.

I was initially met by the VJC Boss Captain Andy Wilkins a former airline captain and his team of instructors. They all demonstrated a very high level of enthusiasm for the project.

An ordinary looking small industrial unit was to unveil a very non-ordinary scene. A flight simulator (BOEING 737-800) a cabin (containing around 20 seats) and a suite of computers flying simulators (about 10)

After a tour of these very impressive facilities I had a go myself at take-off circuit and a simulated landing at Munich airport. Having flown many hours in flight simulators I was amazed how realistic this was The flight simulator was built by Captain Andy himself, it was superb. When, as you come into land you get an adrenalin rush you know it’s good!

The three main areas of interest are :

Pilot training, professional/student pre and post graduate qualifications etc.
A fun day for the boss or valued employee or customer, which I consider very good value at around £150 per day. As a former business owner I would seriously consider this particularly if clients are interested in aviation, even better if more than one.
The third major area of interest and perhaps the most important is that of “a team building experience!”

Many aircraft accident and incidents over the years have been caused by a breakdown in communication between Captain, first officer, cabin staff, engineers and air traffic controllers even my single seat Jet flying experience there were incidents of this nature. In the mid 80’s the airline industry very rapidly realised that ‘Human Factors’ now called ‘Crew Resource Management’ was a very important aspect of training.

The relevance in a small business may not immediately be apparent and I can assure you with both my flying and business hat on, it is! My small business was a classic family business where many employees had been in the business for many years, complacency had set in and team spirit was very poor therefore the business was inefficient.

So back to the Virtual Jet Centre here they run day long courses for typically 6 – 8 people or fewer and introduce many team building experiences. For example a team of two could fly the simulator and could be assessed individually or as a team, one person could be the pilot and the other 2nd pilot responsible for undercarriage, flaps, navigation etc. Another experience might involve the cabin where emergencies could be simulated and ‘before flight’ briefings could be given in teams. There are too many team situations to be covered here. Refer to www.virtualjetcentre.co.uk where you can get more information.

In all these activities I feel a very close and efficient team of employees would gain as much as a group of employees who are far from a team from this experience. I would not hesitate to have sent my employees on this adventure as I am sure productivity would have improved or I would offer this as a day out for a valued Client. And it’s a bit more exciting than a day at the races or a day’s cricket!

Many thanks, once again, to Captain Andy Wilkins for a quick look at a very professional and thought provoking experience.