12th December 2011

With Christmas a mere two weeks away and the possibility of a cold snap catching us unawares, Sureterm Direct provides key advice to 4X4 owners to ensure they don’t get caught out in the cold.

Gary Long, account manager from Sureterm, said: “According to figures from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders it seems the sale of 4X4s has experienced a reasonable increase in recent years with figures in 2010 of 156,552 compared with 132,472 in 2009. This may reflect the harsh winters we have experienced in the UK and suggest that motorists are preparing for the worst. But it is important that 4X4 drivers don’t become complacent during the cold, dark months and we hope our advice will be of some assistance to those drivers out on the road this winter.”

o Your 4X4 vehicle may allow you to grip the road and navigate steep icy roads, but you could still experience difficulties when braking. Ensure you drive slowly and carefully, leaving plenty of space between you and the car in front
o Preparation is key. If you’re considering using winter tyres* to increase your vehicle’s reliability, ensure you have fitted them to your 4X4 before the bad weather sets in. You don’t want to be changing them knee deep in snow
o When the weather worsens, news and weather reports will often advise drivers to only travel if necessary. Listen to these forecasts and take their advice
o The weight of a 4X4 can be beneficial when navigating slippery or snow covered terrain however, this can also be its downfall. If you lose control, it can be difficult to regain. Keep a steady pace and steer the vehicle slowly and carefully
o Many 4X4 drivers don’t use their four wheel drive in order to improve fuel economy. In wintry conditions and if in doubt, use it
o Don’t be a hero. If you see other cars stranded on ice or in snow, don’t attempt to tow them out if there’s the possibility you could be putting yourself and others in danger
o Remember that you aren’t invincible. Drive cautiously as black ice and snow drifts can catch out the most experienced driver in the sturdiest of vehicles

* Check your car insurance policy for details regarding changing your vehicle’s specification.

Sureterm Direct can arrange insurance for your 4×4 insurance or Land Rover insurance policy. Call Sureterm Direct free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for an online 4×4 insurance quote.

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15th July 2011

VISIT SURETERM DIRECT AT LRO BILLING TO WIN A DAY’S OFF-ROADING WORTH AROUND £600

From 15 – 17 July 2011, Sureterm Direct will be on stand M1 at the 21st LRO Billing event, offering one lucky person the opportunity to spend a day off-roading at Rockingham Castle. The lucky winner of this special prize worth £595, will learn the skills necessary to tackle some of the most challenging off road terrain and be introduced to the exciting world of off road driving.

Ross Barrington, operations director, Sureterm Direct, said: “The LRO Billing show provides us with an ideal opportunity to meet many 4×4 owners and enthusiasts. We are encouraging visitors to drop by our stand to take part in our free prize draw and meet our experienced and helpful team”.

LRO Billing is located at Billing Aquadrome in Northampton and is an opportunity for Land Rover enthusiasts to see the latest developments in the market, meet up with old friends and enjoy the company of other Land Rover owners. Boasting a wide variety of trade stands, club stands, an autojumble, arena action, off-road course and camping, the three-day show runs from Friday to Sunday, giving visitors plenty of time to relax and enjoy themselves.

Sureterm Direct can arrange insurance for your 4×4 insurance or Land Rover insurance policy. Call Sureterm Direct free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for an online 4×4 insurance quote.

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16th March 2011

From Spring 2011 all motor vehicles in the UK that don’t have a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) will require valid road insurance. The change in this requirement aims to reduce the number of uninsured vehicles on the roads by linking the records of the DVLA and Motor Insurance Database (MID).

Lisa Joy, director at Sureterm Direct, comments: “It is important that anyone who owns a motor vehicle which is kept off the road understands these new changes. If you intend to use your motor vehicle in the near future you should arrange adequate insurance cover.”

According to the UK government, uninsured drivers inflict a major financial burden on other motorists, estimated at £380 million each year or around £30 of the cost of each insurance premium*. If you have not taken out road insurance cover for your motor vehicle or declared it SORN you will receive a letter warning that you could be fined as part of the ‘Continuous Insurance Entitlement Scheme’.

SAMPLE INSURANCE QUOTE
1971 Land Rover 88, value £2,000
• 40-year old club member, garaged at PE28, 1,500 miles per year, full UK licence, no claims/convictions.
Prices from £85.79 (£100 excess).
• 40-year old non club member, on drive at PE28, 3,000 miles per year, full UK licence, no claims/convictions.
Prices from £95.89 (£100 excess).

* Subject to underwriting criteria.

Sureterm Direct can arrange insurance for your 4×4 insurance or Land Rover insurance policy. Call Sureterm Direct free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for an online 4×4 insurance quote.

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The UK may be infamous for its tea making abilities but the weather definitely isn’t anything to brag about, which means a major drawback of this novel idea is that there may not be enough light to power some of the hefty motorhomes that have been entering the motorhome market recently. Short trips however will benefit more from solar panel power, and even when you make a pit stop, the panel will continue to charge itself so it’s ready for the next leg of your journey – and the good news is you can fit them yourself.

MotorCaravanning.co.uk have reported that “ a good battery bank is pretty much essential because we use power in bursts, more in bad weather and less in good weather. As a result you will need at least two leisure batteries to make the best of solar power by storing all that good weather energy for use when the weather deteriorates”.

If you’re an adventurous explorer you may want to discover some unknown territory in your motorhome instead of the general camp sites, which is why the best thing about having a solar panel charging your motorhome is that you have the freedom to go almost anywhere that takes your fancy, safe in the knowledge that you have a stable source of power for your mobile home.

Solar power systems will give you the power you need to go anywhere you desire, with an enduring design, which is built to withstand summer heat as well as the typical Great British cold weather conditions. Making the impossible seem achievable is a tricky task, and while money might not grow on trees, power produced by the sun is not only possible, but readily available.

Fitting a solar panel may be a ‘do it yourself’ task, but why not let Sureterm Direct help you find your motorhome insurance?, Call free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for an online quote.

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The Xplore model, which was originally launched in 2008, made a name for itself as being the Caravan Industry’s “Tourer of the Year”, reports elddiscaravans.org, however this year has seen the updated Xplore that is “even better than before”. With an improved design and exciting new layout, the Elddis Xplore will charm you and help you stay within your budget.

It may be the smallest caravan built in the UK, but the Explore 302 is still “tardis-like”, according to elddis.co.uk, and spacious enough to contain a full kitchen and bathroom, so don’t let the size fool you.

The chosen destination for the launch of the new model was at the Birmingham NEC last month, which saw people coming from far and wide“seeking cheaper vehicles emerging from the recession”, reports CaravanClub.co.uk, and that is exactly what they got from the Elddis Xplore 302.

The good news about the latest Elddis edition is that you can store it on your driveway and it can easily be towed with a small car such as a Corsa or Punto. The Caravan Channel have announced that they will be at The UK Motorhome and Caravan Spring Fair at Newark on the 27th and 28th March, and their stand will feature the actual caravan as well as some video from the event on the Caravan Channel and the Caravanning News Website.

CaravanTalk.org.uk has reported that “the benefits of this smallest edition to the award-winning Elddis range are clear to see”, with an allure that will appeal to “couples and individuals new to caravanning or upgrading from camping and trailer tents”.

With “class-leading luxurious touches and Xplore’s funky, vibrant upholstery”, the Elddis Xplore 302 is totally unique and provides the perfect setting for outdoor enthusiasts who want a comfortable and well-equipped base, according to CaravanTalk.org.uk.

With an allure that appeals to drivers of all ages, Sureterm Direct offer competitive caravan insurance policies for both new caravanners and existing customers looking to renew their insurance. Call Free on 0800 999 2030 or get an online quote here.

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NYTimes.com has reported that GM “had been trying to sell Hummer for nearly two years, and struck a preliminary deal with Tengzhong in June. The two companies had planned to complete the $150m deal by the end of January, then delayed the deadline by a month in the hope of receiving approval from China”. However the deal reportedly collapsed because of “problems convincing the Chinese Government that Hummer’s range could be made sufficiently friendly”.

Although the brand Hummer will slowly disappear, GM have said they will continue to honour existing Hummer warranties – and or course the 4×4 legacy will live on. PistonHeads.com reports that discussions between GM and Tengzhong had led John Smith, Vice President of GM to say “we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed but GM will still work closely with Hummer employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner” – meaning existing customers will still receive a high level of service and support.

Over the years the Hummer name has achieved a powerful status, with celebrities endorsing the brand by being chauffeured around in one of these hefty 4×4 vehicles. However more recently the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger (who once owned ma fleet of Hummers), described the brand as “prime evidence of the Detroit automakers’ failings”.

Danny Hill, the general sales manager of the Texas Classic Hummer branch commented on this end of an era saying that Hummer “had a great concept and it’s a real shame that it’s going away, because the people who own Hummers just love them”.

To ensure it’s not the end of the good times for your 4×4 insurance, call Sureterm Direct free on 0800 999 2030 or get a tailored 4×4 insurance quote online here.

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“Growing concerns about the environment and fuel security are inspiring a concerted push by Government and manufacturers to bring electric cars back into the mainstream”, reports The Open University. The push to be green has existed as far back as 1913, and at the time electric cars seemed like a serious contender, however the petrol and diesel powered rivals proved “cheaper and have ruled our roads almost unchallenged for nearly a century”.

Fuelled by the growing demands and increasing concerns about the environment, a “total of 1,300 plug sockets will be installed around the region over the next three years”, which means they will be easily accessible on streets, in car parks, at homes, businesses, shopping centres and even tourist attractions – which is no surprise seeing as the project is costing £7.8m.

The Independent first reported on the strategy which stretches back to the start of 2009, and reveals the plan is to build “the world’s first zero emission, electric 4×4 vehicle”. Liberty Electric Cars, based in Oxford, said “it would invest £30 million into the venture” to create a plug-in electric Range Rover, which is likely to top “1,000 vehicles annually and contribute more than £120 million a year into the local economy”.

Barry Shrier, Chief Executive of Liberty, said: “The Liberty Electric Range Rover takes electric vehicle technology into a new sector, to large luxury cars that people aspire to drive, particularly in cities and urban environments where environmental controls are becoming increasingly tighter”.

The Milton Keynes electric pilot scheme is just one of the major global project areas that will include extensive evaluations of consumer attitudes, which will enable the Energy Technologies Institute to determine the cost effective infrastructure and driver incentives, which InvestMiltonKeynes.com reveals will “help to develop a self sustaining mass market”.

If you want to be part of a scheme that works, let Sureterm Direct provide you with a tried and tested 4×4 insurance policy. Call free on 0800 999 2030 or click here for a tailored 4×4 quote.

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The BBC suggests that “having already lost most of their friends, both within the motor industry and outside, over Toyota’s recall of cars with faulty accelerator or brake pedals – the crisis has now moved to the geopolitical stage”. Toyota have focused all their efforts on trying to fix the problems, which have been said to of been caused by wanting too much too soon, and possibly cutting corners in order to get new cars released before they have had all security checks carried out. By reportedly repairing “up to 50,000 vehicles a day” and extending their working hours in order to get the job done as soon as possible, Toyota have definitely proved that they are trying to get the problems fixed as soon as possible.

Many of Toyota’s models have been affected in the recall, with five well-known 4×4s adding to the list. The Toyota Highlander, RAV 4, Sequoia, Tundra and Tacoma are just some of the models currently affected, and ConsumerAffairs.com has reported that “the Tacoma is putting a big dent in American truck sales but it’s also putting a big ugly dent in Toyota’s reputation”.

A tarnished reputation can take a long time to re-build but the Japanese Government have warned Toyota to “take safety defects more seriously” and warned management against “rash decisions”, leading Toyota to state that “the safety of our customers is our top priority, we are doing everything we can to deliver a speedy and thorough solution to the issue with minimum inconvenience”.

With more than 180,000 vehicles affected, having been confirmed by the DVLA, there are concerns about “consumers developing a new level of scepticism about Japanese firms’ supposed superior quality”, reports BBC news. Toyota however would like to reassure its customers that the pedal related issues only occur in very rare circumstances and that the recall action is a “precautionary measure”.

Although Toyota’s reputation could be effected for years, Toyota Motor President Akio Toyoda has assured existing and potential customers that “when we do make omissions or mistakes, we always make repairs, correct matters and replace the faulty parts”.

A reputation built on quality, durability and reliability is hard to come by, so trust specialist insurance intermediary Sureterm Direct to find the perfect 4×4 insurance policy for you. For a tailored quote, Call free on 0800 999 2030 or get an online quote here.

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Volvo on the other hand has excelled in producing low emitting cars, with the “introduction of 119g/km versions of both the S80 executive saloon and V70 premium estate”, reports Motortorque.com. President and CEO of Volvo, Stephen Odell comments on the success by saying “now that we have bought two of the larger models in below the magical 120g/km limit, few of our competitors can now match us”.

The recent findings reported on the Times Online have found that the scrappage scheme has “caused consternation among green campaigners”, who initially welcomed and encouraged the scrappage scheme and believed this would be an ideal way of reducing emissions by “encouraging drivers to opt for newer, more fuel-efficient cars”.

Both the S80 saloon and the V70 estate produced by Volvo, fall into Vehicle Exercise Duty Band C, which means it will only cost motorists £35 a year. Volvo believes fuel savings could reach as much as 60 litres a year – which is as much as a whole tank of fuel.

The economic success of the scheme however, is unarguable; car sales rose 30% last month and the government has extended the scheme until the end of March. This is added to the fact that according to BusinessGreen.com, “average emissions of a new car in the UK have fallen, thanks to technical innovation from manufacturers such as Volvo, coupled with changes in consumer spending habits”.

Sureterm Direct specialise in providing competitive 4×4 insurance, classic car insurance, caravan insurance, motorhome insurance and kit car insurance. Call free on 0800 999 2030 or for an online quote click here.

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The wintery conditions have taken their toll on the emergency services during the heaviest snow falls, meaning getting to and from the hospital can be a real problem. Back in January, 4×4 vehicles showed their off-roading abilities, helping numerous people get to where they needed to get. Shaun Looker from Cheadle, Staffordshire is a paramedic with the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and is so convinced of the importance of 4×4 vehicles, that in a story reported on BBC News he has been quoted as saying “we’ve been using these vehicles to help any ambulances that have got stuck in snow or ice, and even helping patients get to hospital and back if necessary”.

Many people will have experienced the dreaded rush hour this morning as the snow hit yesterday afternoon – creating a white wintery blanket, disguising the dangers lurking below. Even airports have been affected due to the heavy snowfall, with Birmingham Airport amongst those that experienced delays and cancellations.

In 2009, 4×4s were criticized for being ‘Chelsea Tractors’ and had a lot of bad press, but with the snowy conditions sweeping through the UK, the reputation of 4×4s is becoming a more heroic one. This shift has caused sales figures to soar and has moved 4-wheel vehicles back into the public’s favour.

“It seems as though motorists are becoming fed up with the hassle their conventional cars are causing them and are choosing a 4×4 that’s able to handle all the snow has to offer”, reports ezinearticles.com.

Owning a 4×4 means you won’t get stuck in the snow, so don’t get stuck choosing an insurance policy. Sureterm Direct specialise in 4×4 insurance so make the obvious choice and let Sureterm provide you with competitive insurance. Call free on 0800 999 2030 or get an online quote here.

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