I have spoken with 3 of your advisers in the past couple of weeks and they have all been absolutely superb – helpful, patient, friendly and clear.

I have one classic car policy with you already and have just taken out a second, and this is entirely due to the helpful manner of your staff and the speed with which the phone is answered.

Please keep it up. Excellent service!

Best wishes
Chris Wood

I will be of course passing on my comments via word of mouth and owners club web sites detailing the very high level of service you guys offer. The outcome was that both I and my friend who was accompanying me had a fabulous weekend, it could have been disastrous.

Other people I came across during my experience- contractors of yours are DAM depannage of Arnage France. The Guy (Christian I think) recovered me to the dealer he also made sure that Natalie (first time in Europe and did not want to become separated) my travel partner followed the truck to the garage. He had to be very patient because the traffic was horrendous so we travelled on a lot of close roads in the circuit campus. Natalie was stopped at least six or seven times and refused passage, Christian explained our predicament and presto on we go!!  I was sorted before he left, great service. No, better than great – outstanding!! Sorry I digress so I will close………….

Once again, thank you all so very much!!!

Yours thankfully

Peter

Marathon runs, cycle rides and even a trek across Arctic wastes were among activities undertaken by employees of Carole Nash in aid of the Brain & Spinal Injuries Centre (BASIC). The £15,000 they raised covered the cost of a conservatory extension to the charity’s specialist BodyBASIC gym. This now houses three high tec machines which will help hundreds of brain injured people every year to recover their balance, gait, posture and ability to support their own weight.

The new facility was officially opened by Carole Nash’s chief executive, David Newman, who himself raised several thousand pounds undertaking a gruelling expedition to the North Pole. Fellow director Simon Jackson also made a major contribution by completing the Great North Run with a team of Carole Nash employees. Other activities which the company’s staff used to raise money included a Manchester to Blackpool cycle ride and a sponsored walk from Styal to popular bikers’ haunt, the Cat and Fiddle pub near Macclesfield.

BASIC fundraiser Andy Golightly said that the support of Carole Nash staff had been vital. “We’re incredibly grateful firstly that that Carole Nash nominated BASIC as the company’s Charity of the Year and secondly that so many staff got involved and raised so much money. Without them and their efforts our 450 clients would have been denied access to an invaluable facility which will improve their health and wellbeing and lead to a better quality of life.”

The BodyBASIC gym is just one of over thirty services provided by BASIC which also includes counselling, complementary therapy, vocational guidance and practical advice. Over their 25-year history they have developed into a unique, innovative and diverse organisation and are professional experts at rebuilding lives following brain and spinal injury.

Opening the gym extension David Newman said: “I am immensely proud of the way Carole Nash as a whole got behind this major fundraising challenge. It fills me with such pride to now be stood here seeing how that money has been used and knowing that so many lives will be improved by this facility and the brilliant staff who operate it. This can only add to the already magnificent work that BASIC does and which my colleagues and I have previously witnessed first hand when visiting the centre.”

The UK’s favourite motorcycle insurance specialist* has launched a limited promotion which will see bikers given FREE Excess Protection Insurance, when they take out a modern motorcycle new business policy. This means that should motorcyclists need to claim on their policy they won’t need to pay the excess – the amount insurers require them to pay towards the cost of a claim.

The offer, which is valid for policies issued before May 12^th 2011, could save bikers up to £500 on excess payments. It will certainly save them the £29.99, which the Excess Protection usually costs.

Explaining the move, Carole Nash’s marketing manager Dawn Holmes said: “We know that times are particularly tight for everyone and have been looking at how we might help people out and encourage them to jump back on their bikes as the season starts. This move saves them almost thirty pounds and gives them much better protection and guards against bills that can run into several hundreds of pounds.”

The offer is open for all new comprehensive and third party fire and theft (TPFT) policies for modern road bikes, including custom motorcycles, which are purchased when calling 0800 804 7952 and quoting reference FRXS.

*Voted most used broker by readers of Ride magazine in their 2010 Rider Power survey.

Full terms and conditions are available at www.carolenash.com/free-excess-protector-terms-and-conditions

A ‘daytime MOT’ is the popular rather than official term used for a Ministry of Transport vehicle test which confirms your motorcycle is legally roadworthy for use only in daylight and conditions of clear visibility. If your bike meets the test criteria you will be issued with a normal MOT certificate but with an advisory note (a VT32) which confirms the daytime/ visibility restriction which applies. If you have a daytime MOT you may not legally use your bike on the public highway outside of daylight hours or at times of seriously reduced visibility.

Who would this apply to?

This mainly applies to owners of classic bikes which are not originally fitted with lights, who might have to MOT with the VT32 advisory and owners of off road bikes or track bikes might also be issued with one if they have modified their bike in order to make it street legal.

How do I get one?

Any authorised MOT test station should be able to issue you with an MOT certificate carrying the VT32 advisory note should your vehicle satisfy the test criteria. However you may find that as VT32 restricted MOTs are not frequently requested some garages are not familiar with them.  The test criteria are listed in Section 1 of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency’s (VOSA) MOT Inspection Manual Motor Bicycle and Side Car Testing .

What are the criteria?

To qualify for a daytime MOT your bike must “have neither front nor rear position lamps, or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked.”  This applies to headlamps, position lamps and indicators. The situation with stop lamps is significantly more complicated. Machines do not need to have a stop lamp fitted if they cannot exceed 25mph, were first used before 1^st January 1936 or were first used before 1^st April 1986 and do not exceed 50cc. Those first used before 1^st April 1986 must have a stop lamp that operates from at least one brake control and those used on or after that date must have a stop lamp operated from both brakes. There is an added if not widespread complication for bikes first used from 1^st April 1986 which were approved with a stop lamp activated by one control. There were very few of these and test inspectors are instructed to fail a bike only if they are certain the stop lamp was designed to be operated by both brake controls and isn’t.

Your bike must be fitted with a rear reflector and an “audible warning device”, typically an electrical horn, which must be loud enough to be heard by another road user.

Can I get insurance with Carole Nash if I have a daytime MOT?

Yes. Our policy states that you must have a valid MOT certificate and as long as you do not breach the daylight/visibility restriction of the VT32 advisory note you will be covered. This is true of all bikes include vintage and classic machines and off road bikes (which satisfy Department of Transport road laws and construction and use regulations).

You must of course ensure you satisfy any other legal obligations regarding the use and ownership of your bike.  Your policy will also require you to take all reasonable steps to keep your vehicle in a safe and roadworthy condition.”

Bear in mind though that if your bike was manufactured with lights and you remove them then some insurers may treat this as a modification and it could affect your premium. This is particularly true for modern and off road bikes adapted for road use.

Where can I get more information?

Directgov carries general details of the MOT regime here

VOSA’s manual for MOT testers of motorcycle can be viewed here

The move signals the company’s continued determination to develop its brand and grow out from its core motorcycle business, a sector in which it claims UK and Irish market leadership.

Finnigan, 42, has over 20 years experience in underwriting roles, including 13 years at Independent Insurance and six at Chubb where he was senior underwriter. He spent over three years at Provident before joining Carole Nash.

Reporting to head of products Nick Baker he will be tasked with growing the company’s existing private and classic car book, specialist and commercial vehicles, home cover and its pioneering Six Wheel bike and car policy. He will also be responsible for identifying new policy opportunities in partnership with underwriters.

Commenting on Mr. Finnigan’s appointment Nick Baker said: “This is a crucial new role for the business so we are delighted to have been able to have been able to attract to it someone with such immense experience and calibre. John has fantastic underwriting knowledge and expertise, particularly in the fields of private motor and high net worth individuals. We will putting this to good use in aggressively cross selling from our core business and developing organically to further grow the Carole Nash brand.”

Carole Nash is to give away a motorcycle insurance policy daily throughout the nine day biking showcase. To be in to win all bikers need do is get a quote for their bike when visiting the Carole Nash stand (R605, Hall 3A). A prize draw will be held at the end of each day with the daily winner receiving a voucher redeemable against their quote.

It’s just one of many reasons to visit what is always a show-stopping stand. The company is once again bringing together a pick ‘n’ mix bag of biking eye candy to the UK’s biggest motorcycle show, including a world-beating custom and internationally renowned classic – more details will be revealed soon!

The neighbouring Britain’s Got Biking Talent stand will also showcase twelve extraordinary bikes created by ordinary bikers as the UK’s biggest biking contest reaches its climax. The ultimate winner of the competition will be unveiled on the first day of the show (Saturday 27 November) with all twelve finalists on display throughout the show. These will include bike beauties from across the competition’s entry categories – Sports, Classic, Choppers & Customs, Streetfighters, Concours & Restored and Street Modified.

Stand visitors can also collect their free Carole Nash goody bag which will include the annual must-have calendar featuring all of the Britain’s Got Biking Talent winners.

For updates on bikes and promotions being hosted by Carole Nash at Motorcycle Live visit www.carolenash.com/insidebikes. You can also check out all the show news at www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

Terms and Conditions apply.

Four wheels good, two wheels better, six wheels best – that’s the message from motorcycle insurance specialist Carole Nash which is offering up six wheel prize package comprising a brand new Honda CBF600 and a nippy Honda Jazz hatchback.

The prize is being offered in a FREE prize draw open to anybody who gets a bike insurance quote, either at the Carole Nash Motorcycle Live Show, which opens at Birmingham’s NEC on Saturday 27 November, by buying a new policy online at www.carolenash.com or by calling 0800 804 7952 between 27 November and 5 December 2010.

Bikers who get a quote from the Carole Nash’s NEC stand (R605, Hall 3A) will automatically be entered for the draw and also be in with a chance of winning a daily prize of a year’s free insurance.

The six-wheel prize is sure to entice entries, with the sporty middleweight naked Hornet already a firm favourite with UK bikers. The refreshed model for 2011 has been restyled with a sleek integrated headlight and instrument panel to improve frontal aerodynamics whilst a higher, thinner tail improves the rear.

It may not be an Aston but the Honda Jazz is a sure-fire winner among the actually affordable classes, having won the JD Power Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction every year since its 2004 launch. Bikers who grudgingly acknowledge that cars can have their place will appreciate a compact design which gives a tidy turning circle and eases parking. Whilst a zippy little five door it also offers a surprisingly spacious interior.

For competition details, terms and conditions visit www.carolenash.com. You can also catch up on latest news of Carole Nash Motorcycle Live by visiting www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

Terms and conditions apply.

The TT 2010 saw Conor make an impressive start in the Poker stars superbike race, breaking lap records along the way and was out in front, with little competition. After smashing the lap record, with a speed of 131.511mph, he also took the honour of having the fastest standing start lap in TT history. However, during the final lap of the race Conor crashed out and, sustaining serious injuries, was airlifted to hospital.

Conor is back on the path to the racing scene and has already staged a bit of a comeback by returning to the track, albeit on crutches, to cheer on his Dad Bill in the Southern 100 in July. Several surgeries have already been undertaken by the young rider and Conor requires an intensive course of physiotherapy to get him fighting fit again.

The Road Racing Legends charity event aims to raise money to assist Conor’s recovery and will take place on Friday, February 11^th 2011 at the Wynnstay Hotel, Oswestry.  The event will feature British Superbike stars Chris Walker, Neil Hodgson and John Reynolds with six times British Champion and Sky Sports Commentator Jamie Whitham acting as compere for the evening.

Tickets for this charity racing event are limited, with only 350 places, and will go on sale on the 1^st December for £20 each. You can visit the website www.roadracinglegends.org for more details, or get in touch with the organisers for more information: Gwen & Phil Morris (Oswestry) 01691 662082 and Sue & Colin Morris (Craven Arms) 01588 672426.

Carole Nash would like to wish Conor a speedy recovery and we hope to see him back on the racing scene soon.

Carole and her husband Fred were guests of honour at a party hosted at Cheshire Bowdon’s Rooms to mark Carole Nash Insurance Consultants’ silver anniversary. The event reunited Carole with staff at what is now the UK’s largest motorcycle insurance specialist which she sold four years ago.

“It was a very nostalgic evening, like coming home really,” said Carole. “It made me think back, reminding me how I was and just did what I enjoyed,  not realising the impact I was having on the business world. I always felt it wasn’t me but a secret twin sister who was having all this success!

“I was also delighted to see that people remain affectionate and loyal to a great company.  I am, of course, immensely proud of what we achieved together and pleased to see the business still going from strength to strength.”

As well as hosting a table for long serving staff at the glitzy party, Carole presented the company’s Heart of Gold award which recognises outstanding community and charity work. This year the award went to sales team leader, Lee Robinson, who was nominated by colleagues for various good deeds. These included arranging an Easter egg collection for children at the Wood Street mission, helping and supporting the ‘Carole Nash Ladies’ take part in the Race For Life and completing the Manchester to Blackpool charity bike ride two years running.

The party, which was attended by over 150 staff from the company’s Altrincham and Dublin operations, will be followed by further anniversary celebrations. Later this month the company will thank bikers for their loyal support with special displays and promotions at the UK motorcycle industry’s premier showcase, the Carole Nash Motorcycle Live show.