This is sobering news

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

As a schoolboy I was in to control line model aircraft and joined SMAE for its insurance cover. 5/- or the cost of two cans of fuel seemed cheap for the third party cover it gave.

[DonPeffers]

13 hours ago, Scott Young - WSCC Chairman said:

I, for one, am all in favour of mobility scooter operators needing third party insurance.  Some of them are lethal out there on the pavements, and also drive down streets as if they were immortal.  And while we're at it, make cyclists have third party insurance as well.

The CTC (Cyclists Touring Club), now called Cycling UK, has for decades had third party insurance included in its membership fee and I agree that all cyclists should be insured as they are on road vehicles capable of high speeds. I think Cycling UK has about 50,000 members.

Whenever I see a mobility scooter on the road I am fearful for the safety of the driver especially around blind bends.

Since Gordon Brown introduced Insurance Premium Tax in 1997 (then 5%) it has steadily risen as a stealth tax to reach 10% currently, rising to 12% on 01June2017. How long before it matches VAT at 20%?

How about mountain rescue insurance to cover the cost of assisting those who go up a mountain in mid-winter and need a helicopter to get them down again?

[Lawrie]

Please sign the petition in the ACU newletter from the first post. 

https://www.change.org/p/the-rt-hon-chris-grayling-fight-vnuk-the-eu-judgement-threatening-to-kill-uk-motorsport?recruiter=73084441&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

[iowlee]

On 12/22/2016 at 23:25, Scott Young - WSCC Chairman said:

I, for one, am all in favour of mobility scooter operators needing third party insurance.  Some of them are lethal out there on the pavements, and also drive down streets as if they were immortal.  And while we're at it, make cyclists have third party insurance as well.

Living on an Island that has quite a lot of mobility scooters you quite regularly get 'incidents'.

I think they are a great idea and give so much freedom to their users. I also quite enjoy the odd ride on one.

However you do get incidents that make you think that the insurance is a necessity. Although I know we are in a how much can I get out of you for a claim, even if it is fake state. 

Stories like the one below from our local rag do make you wonder, I know it is an extreme but it just goes to show what can happen.

http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/callous-pensioner-killed-woman-36897.aspx

Sorry for going slightly off topic again,

Lee

[dombanks]

Maybe instead of making road tax punitive in the 2017 they ought to consider including some sort of 3rd party cover like the do in other countries. It won't help with the like of scooters or bikes but they could be caught up with simple 3rd part insurance or by becoming a member of some sort of organisation 

[jeff oakley]

Once again we have people who are drafting things with good intent but the consequences are far reaching. I favour all bikes, mobility scooters, golf buggies and motorised childrens toys should have insurance and that is what this was designed to give. However, others have seen it differently and see an opportunity to make money so they lobby hard.

If every car had to have insurance, regardless of use i.e. sorned, then think of the money the insurance industry will make and every other associated blood sucker from it.

The easiest way would be to make it legal for every home to have insurance and as part of that those listed above automatically covered, excluding cars.

Over the years I have seen all sorts of idiotic motorised transport at car events, and I would be well p******** if some dumb****, rammed my car and was unable to be pursued for damages

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

It makes sense for anything that it used in a public place to be insured ie Mobility scooters,  cyclists etc if only for the users own protection. ie stop you losing your house if a successful claim is brought against you. Which is the same reason that I have golf insurance even though I am not obliged to by law. If enough people have it, the cost is realtively low. But the point about tax is spot on, why should the goverment get any money for something like this. Mind that plonker Brown brought in loads of these back door crap taxes. Just look at how he ruined Private pension funds !!!

As to motorsport, hopefully sense will prevail and it will be excluded but I wouldn't trust our goverment. The crazy thing is the MSA does have insurance for 3rd party at events ie Spectators, Marshalls, Officials. It's only the driver to driver and car damage that is a problem.