Ignorance can cost.

There is problem many folk have when expressing an opinion in that it is presented as expressing a fact.

Much the same can be said with the present situation and the possibility of a tanker driver’s strike and the suggestion that we should fill up the car or van, and fill up a Jerry can as well.

Was that the right thing to say by the Prime Minister Cameron or his Cabinet Minister Angus Maude? Well let’s look at the facts. Most cars run on a third full because it’s more fuel efficient. I saw on the news last night that oil companies are obliged to keep 56 days of supply in reserve.     

I just looked on google and according to one article I read there are approximately 33 million cars vans buses and trucks on UK roads, we know 5% aren’t insured but that’s another issue.

If all the cars were running at a third full, which I personally doubt, and we now fill up fully how long would the supplies actually last. I would suggest probably way less than 15 days.  What facts do I have to support my thinking absolutely none but if I am thinking like others then it’s not surprising folk are already waiting in line to fill up. I did last night I have to admit.

Was it an ignorant thing to say? Well from a politician who should know or be advised better, particularly of the possible consequences I would say yes absolutely it was a dumb thing to say.

 What I would put to you is that much as it seems logical to store surplus petrol over and above what’s in your petrol  or diesel tank, and what you can hold in a Jerry can - that’s of course if they haven’t sold out!  - .To store inflammable liquids within the confines of your home in a store room or garage that I part of your home, may be in breach of your insurance policy unless you check with your insurance company first. 

Ok you could say that a bottle of vodka or whiskey is inflammable, so what difference a Jerry can of petrol or diesel? Good point, but that’s being a bit naïve and I kind of think you know that too.

All I would say is that if you have a garden, store the Jerry can there in a shaded place and if you live in a flat then please, please check with your Insurer what their position is on this. Whether you have always had the best intentions and never had a problem in the past, as an observer having a massive potential fire hazard slopping about within you home just can’t be the right way forward

As for other things well to all those who came to the Business 2012 exhibition I hope you found it interesting and it was a pleasure to meet you. We will in May this year be at the Business Show, which is being held at the Exel Centre. It is an exhibition set up for Business Start-ups and all sizes of business from a few thousand pounds turnover to up to £100 million. It’s been going for 12 years so they must be getting it right and appealing to all sizes. It would be a pleasure to welcome you to our stand.

In the meantime enjoy the good weather, have a great Easter and let’s hope the tanker driver’s strike doesn’t happen.        

"You haven't failed if you've tried"

I recently saw the film "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" with Judi, Dench, Maggie Smith and a classic British cast.  I thought it was brilliant and if you go I hope you find that too. Everyone gets great one-liners usually reserved for Maggie Smith alone, which makes it so much fun to watch.  

One line I remember was “you haven’t failed if you’ve tried” and that is our belief here.  

So what is our message? 

Well first there are no meerkats , or moustached opera singers here, just ordinary hard working men and women trying to do the best for you.

We don’t offer bull, just service and good pricing, accepting reluctantly that we can’t always be the cheapest.    

To most people insurance sucks, it’s like a tax, and it’s boring.  As an industry which covers almost every area in society, its reputation is hopeless. That’s because it’s a very British thing to knock the powerful when the screw up and insurers have a knack of doing that regularly. 

But there’s nothing else available on offer that can compete with what insurance as we know it does. So we need to make it work for us not us for it.

If you bought a £1000 suit you would expect something pretty good for your money and maybe look at every stich in the garment just to be sure you were getting your money’s worth.  Yet with insurance most just take the paperwork and file it in a draw, only checking if the name, house number, postal code and maybe registration details are correct, forgetting to bother with all the terms and conditions, exclusions and exemptions!

The same approach applies to commercial insurance products too. Most just think it all magically must be correct, so limit checking details to what they’re covered for with the same few lines.  

Lethargy is what all companies pray for and we don’t accept that as good practise.

We know we have to fight to command your respect.  We all have to be alert to changes in what is going on around us and act to defend our best interests. That is what we do for you at Trident Insurance; we look to protect your best interests and not sell you something that’s not worth the paper it’s written on.   

We can’t compete with classic stage and screen actors for entertainment value or brilliant one- liners from "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel".  But I’m proud to say everyone here’s an individual and not a telesales droid. We don’t see the need for pre-set scripts and we understand where you’re coming from and believe we know what we’re talking about. We are prepared to think outside the box to get you the right cover and leave no stone unturned.

We have been around long enough to know we won’t stop trying to secure better deals for our Clients, on and off screen. 

So and when it comes to looking after your insurance needs please remember Trident Insurance are here for you.