|
Many charities rely on the versatility a minibus can provide in allowing them to take large numbers of passengers on journeys that may not have been easily achieved by using public transport. Good minibus insurance providers offer charity minibus insurance for non-profit making organisations to keep their vehicle running costs to a minimum. A Section 19 or Section 22 permit will be required to prove to the insurance provider that the minibus is being used for charitable and non-profit activities. Section 19 permits can be applied for by charities and volunteer groups whose activities are seen to be beneficial to a community. Profit making minibus operators will need a PCV/PSV licence. Minibus drivers with a Section 19 permit can either be a volunteer or be paid. The permit also allows a small charge to be made to cover the vehicles operating costs. A Section 22 permit can be applied for if the minibus is being used as a non-profit bus service. For this permit the driver must be an unpaid volunteer. There are three types of minibus insurance available: Comprehensive, Third Party Fire and Theft, and Third Party Only. Third Party is the minimum level of insurance cover as required by law. It will cover liability for death or injury to third parties, liability for damage to other people's property and legal costs in connection to claims against your policy. With Fire and Theft the minibus is covered for damage when stolen or by fire. Comprehensive is the highest level of minibus insurance and will cover most of the possible risks. These may include providing medical expenses after an accident, replacing personal effects lost after a theft or accident, and insuring against damage to the minibus's windows and windscreen. Although it is the most expensive, Comprehensive is often the popular choice for charity minibus insurance. It is always better to be 'safe than sorry', especially as there is the extra responsibility of transporting passengers. Comprehensive insurance covers most risks and a specialist insurance provider will tailor the policy to your organisation's specific needs. Other benefits that the charity minibuses insurance should include are: 1) 24 hour/365 days freephone helpline. 2) Accident recovery facilities. 3) UK administration / call centres. 4) Optional breakdown and recovery assistance. 5) Optional uninsured loss recovery which includes cover for an appointed lawyer, legal costs up to £100,000 and vehicle hire costs if part of the claim agreed. 6) Instalment facilities. 7) Prompt documentation turnaround. A charity minibus insurance policy is normally valid for 12 months unless a shorter or longer period is negotiated with the provider. If for any reason you change your mind the policy can be cancelled 14 days after the documentation is received. The benefit of using specialist insurance providers is that they will understand your specific minibus needs. In most cases alterations can be made to your policy while it's in operation as long as you inform the provider of the change in circumstance at the earliest possible date. If a claim does have to be made the minibus insurance provider will have an incident manager on hand to offer help and advice. As the minibus is liable to be used by a number of different drivers keep a copy of the policy in the vehicle in case it is required. A minibus operator must have insurance by law. But with charity minibus insurance your organisation will benefit from lowest price available without leaving it vulnerable to the risk of an unexpected cost after an accident.
Related Articles -
Minibus, Minibus Hire, Minibuses,
| 
