Risk reduction
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• Re your recent articles on vehicle security. I took the step over two years ago to have an alarm fitted to my lorry and was surprised to learn that the insurance company could not offer any discount on my premium, although I had taken steps to reduce the risks.
I am currently insured with Eagle Star and after speaking with them last week, a gentleman in the Chelmsford office informed me that they could offer no discount on my premium as authorisation to do so could only come from Eagle Star's head office. On speaking to the office at Southend on Sea, a gentleman informed me that
their company did offer a 5% discount on commercial vehicle premiums, provided that the vehicle was fitted with a Vector alarm installed by a Vector approved agent.
Having until five months ago been insured through Norwich Union, I consider their comments (CM 16-22 April) to be sheer cheek by the suggestion that they are considering forcing hauliers to fit security devices as a pre-condition of insurance. My question to the Norwich Union is simply what are you proposing by way of a reduction of premium for those of us who have already taken the step to fit an alarm by an approved installer.
The world of insurance never ceases to amaze me. How can they consider that the way they apply their premiums falls anywhere near the definition of the word fair?
How can it be that the haulier who parks his vehicles in a reasonably secure place at night, and takes the further step of fitting alarms, has got to pick up the tab every 12 months for clients who abandon trucks on industrial site access roads, laybys and remote gateways of farms?
Surely the time has come for insurance companies to play fair and reduce premiums for those customers who take steps to reduce their risks of theft. BS Wood, BS Wood Transport, Chelmsford, Essex.