1 in 10 Manchester Drivers are Uninsured!

Figures revealed recently show one in 10 cars in Manchester is uninsured.
According to the Motor Insurers' Bureau, which represents insurance companies, 10 per cent of vehicles in the city were being driven illegally, because the owner didn't have insurance.

Gareth Berry, company director of leading accident management specialists Easi-Drive, said: “Anyone unfortunate to have an accident with one of these unisured drivers, may end up having to bare the brunt of the repair costs. The insured driver may lose their no claims bonus and may have to pay their excess. If they are not covered fully comprehensive, then they may end up having to pay for the repairs themselves."

Easi-Drive Founder Makes Top Business Magazine’s Exclusive Club

The founder and company director of leading accident management specialists Easi-Drive has made it into a top business magazine’s exclusive club.

Simon Bellamy, 37, has been listed in this year’s North West Business Insider’s 42 Under 42, published annually by the magazine.

The list gives the magazine the opportunity to connect with the business stars of tomorrow and is celebrated with a gala dinner, where the guest list is made up of members of the exclusive 42 Under 42s club, both past and present, plus representatives from the North West’s business community.

The 42 Under 42 has built itself a reputation as one of the finest networking events in the region. And only the region’s leading business people and entrepreneurs are invited.

Simon said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised in this way. It’s been a lot of hard work to get Easi-Drive to the leading position it is in today, but I have a brilliant team around me, helping me to continually grow and expand the business.

“I look forward to the networking opportunities at the gala dinner and meeting the other members of the 42 Under 42s club.”

Born and bred in Stockport, Simon established Easi-Drive with his brother Daniel in 2001.

Handling all aspects of non-fault claim work including credit repair, replacement hire (with an unrivalled range of domestic and commercial vehicles) and claims for compensation and injury, Easi-Drive has worked tirelessly to establish an excellent reputation with the industry.

From its humble beginnings eight years ago in a small 300 sq ft office in Bramhall - that was once a milk farm and just two staff – the company has experienced dramatic organic growth since its conception. Its turnover has rocketed from £750,000 back in 2003/2004 to a forecasted £25million plus predicted for 2009/2010.

Staff levels have almost doubled in the last 12 months and the company now employs over 150 people including a UK-wide sales force across its HQ on Sharston Industrial Estate and its depots in Luton and Bristol.

Its vehicle portfolio is very diverse compared to its competitors and includes everything from taxis and ambulances to quad bikes and supercars including a Lamborghini.

Easi-Drive Reach Finals of Newspaper’s Prestigious Business Awards

Leading accident management firm Easi-Drive has been named as a finalist in the Manchester Evening News Business of the Year awards.

The accident management specialist, based in South Manchester, is among 20 short-listed for honours in the regional newspaper’s prestigious contest.

They now face opposition from Character World, a duvet to curtains distributor, and technology firm ANS Group in the ‘Turnover of £10m-£25m’ category.

Simon Bellamy, co-founder and managing director, said: “It’s fantastic news to have made it into the shortlist. The company has seen dramatic growth over the last five years and this is a great way for our efforts to be recognised, and we hope we can go on to win our category.”

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Salford's Lowry Hotel on November 5, hosted by top broadcaster Jeremy Vine.

Easi-Drive’s Growth Accelerates with New Dealership Link

Leading accident management firm Easi-Drive has agreed a new deal with Pentraeth Automotive Group in North Wales.

The business link with Pentraeth means that Easi-Drive will handle all the non-fault accident claim referrals that come into its dealerships.

Pentraeth Group, are car specialists in North Wales and comprises of seven authorised dealerships all in one convenient location at Menai Bridge as well as an authorised Honda dealership and Volkswagen and Mazda approved service centre in Llandudno.

Accident packs will be placed in all vehicles, which will include items such as a camera, and will also comprise of Easi-Drive contact details and information for the driver to use in the event of an accident.

Gareth Berry, company director of Easi-Drive, said: “The link with Pentraeth offers some fantastic prospects for us both to progress our businesses together.

“They can offer us prestige vehicles and a vital link with dealerships in the region and in turn they will receive an opportunity to increase sales through us and through clients that have had their cars written off.

“We now have a partner to purchase many prestige and mainstream vehicles from and we can ensure that their customers receive the best possible assistance following an accident.

“We will be working with them to translate our Easi-Drive leaflets into Welsh and to build on existing relationships with the dealerships.”

Warwick Madison, general manager of Pentraeth Automotive said: “This represents an exciting new opportunity for all of us here at Pentraeth to increase our presence within other market areas not normally afforded to us, thus allowing the possibility of new business.”

Easi-drive employs over 150 staff including a UK-wide sales force across its

HQ in Manchester and depots in Luton and Bristol.

Counting The Cost of Uninsured Drivers

It is often the case that insured drivers are left to count the cost of a crash with someone driving illegally without insurance.

And new figures revealed today show more than one in five 17 to 20-year-olds are behind the wheel and do not have any insurance.

Gareth Berry, company director of leading accident management specialists Easi-Drive, said: “If the uninsured driver is traced then they can be prosecuted, but ultimately since that driver couldn't afford insurance in the first place, they are unlikely to be able to afford repairs.

“In the event of an accident with an uninsured driver, the insured party may lose their no claims bonus and may have to pay their excess. If they are not fully comprehensive then they may have to pay for the damage themselves.

“You also have all that additional stress on top of being involved in an accident that probably wasn't your fault.”

According to the Motor Insurers' Bureau, which represents insurance companies, there are 243,000 illegal young drivers on the roads. That is compared with one in every 20 cars nationally.