Young Marmalade, has for some time, been fighting the motor insurance industry’s practice of drastically hiking premiums if their clients have the misfortune to lose their jobs.‘The situation for young unemployed people is as bad now as it has ever been. To increase their motor insurance premiums when they are struggling to find work or stay in education would severely hinder their best efforts,’ said Nigel Lacy – Young Marmalade’s director of marketing.

‘We have to remember that government spending cuts have impacted on bus services and trains fares are rocketing.’A survey by the BBC published yesterday found that insurers were increasing premiums on average by 30% (with the worst offenders charging an eye-watering 63% increase) for motorists who became unemployed.According to the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) the unemployed are a greater insurance risk because they will use their vehicles more searching for work and their credit status was reduced.Ian Crowder, a spokesman for AA Insurance, said that unemployed people were more likely to make fraudulent claims because of their financial circumstances which is an assertion strongly refuted by Louise Ellman, the Commons Transport Select Committee chairman.

‘Escalating claims resulting in cold calling from claims management companies are pushing up the cost of premiums and I have not seen any evidence that these are disproportionately coming from unemployed people,’ she said. This news will probably not concern One Direction’s Harry Styles (17) whose £15,000 pound bill will surely only be a downer  because it has followed his split from Caroline Flack (32).

Growth in demand may well be due to the economic climate (suggested sales of up to 6 million units within the UK in 2011) but what is certainly clear is that a market exists.  Now, if these sales are carried out within the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994, they are perfectly legitimate.

However, there is evidence that some retailers are not operating within the 1994 Regulations and the retail of part worn tyres is being carried out illegally.  This creates a safety risk for all road users and has the potential to damage the reputation of all those working in the industry.

Here at Charmrace.com we guarantee that only original tyres suited for the vehicle are fitted and that they are brand new and genuine supplied direct from the manufacturer.

This was specially organised by Which A national organisation known for expert advice from an independent source. Designed to help people learn basic knowledge from local tradesmen about day-to-day things that we can manage ourselves to save time and money. Charmrace were only too happy to participate in this demonstration video and gave their advice and time absolutely free. And a big thank you to the people of Finchley for electing us as best garage. (posted 18.8.2011)

At the end of last year, I mentioned the rising number of Motor Codes subscribers and this growth is already converting to greater awareness among motorists of the benefits of taking their business to Motor Codes garages.

Our December customer survey results, which indicated a welcome 92% overall satisfaction rate across the UK, represented a significant milestone, taking us past the 10,000 mark for the number of surveys completed.

The Code Survey is a fantastic way of ensuring that your loyal customers spread the word about the level of service at your garage. Feedback scores are displayed on your profile page and are accessible to the thousands of motorists that use the Garage Finder tool every month.
Golden Garages back with a bang Back for 2011, the nationwide Golden Garages competition opened last week and already 1,000 votes have poured in from motorists.

In 2010, over 9,000 people voted to find the UK’s most trusted garages and many more are expected to nominate their top service and repair centre this year.

Golden Garages is a valuable initiative that identifies best practice businesses in every region of the UK and sets a benchmark for each garage in the area. This, in turn, drives up standards and spreads peace of mind to motorists.

The public can vote for their favourite local garage by visiting the Golden Garages website.

The UK’s top 50 garages will be identified in February, the top 10 in March and the national winner will be revealed in early April.

Visit their website and find out more rmif.co.uk

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