NEWS - TF INSURANCE 1.7 PX  <back

by Wendy Faux

Free car insurance for a year. Sounds too good to be true? For TF Insurance Services this is how they plan to celebrate their first year of providing insurance services to personnel in BFG.

The Forces (TF) Insurance Services was specifically formed, as its name suggests, to create the best deals for military personnel on the 1st June last year. For Keith Frampton, Managing Director, it has been a culmination of years of working within a military environment and all the associated idiosyncrasies that come with serving in Germany. "I spent most of the 1980s, in Germany, setting up 22 NAAFI Financial Service centres", said Keith, "In those days there was quite a selection of insurance companies to choose from. Then the numbers of companies started to fall until 6 years ago when there were only 6 different companies. Two years ago there were only 2, and one of them was a German company who tend to provide a more basic policy."

The world of insurance services can be a minefield within itself with the information contained in the small print only becoming evident when there has been a need to claim on your policy. On visiting the easy to use website (www.tfis.co.uk) one phrase seems obvious: 'Theft cover throughout Europe', you might automatically think that you are covered by your insurance whilst driving home through Holland, but this is not the case with German insurance companies. Neither is it valid in Italy. So whilst the low premiums may seem appealing, for those who frequently drive back to the UK through the ferry ports leaving your car unattended could cost you a lot more than anticipated.

"We have looked very carefully at the lifestyle of the forces, and the civilians who support the forces, in Germany and our aim is to go that extra mile to understand the difficulties facing individuals. We have used all of our experience to come up with the options that are best suited to those who require the insurance", explained Keith, who is also the Chairman of the Services Insurance and Investment Advisory Panel (SIIAP), a body recognised by the MOD for its work in ensuring that service personnel are not penalised due to the nature of their profession.

"An example is the 'No Claims Bonus' that comes with some insurance companies. This is fully transferable and can be arranged by our staff. Even those who have 'a driving experience' discount can sign up and have this converted into a 'no claims bonus' to help with any future insurance policies that may be taken out in the future. People generally don't need to wait until renewal to change policies but we will advise on an individual basis. There is no hard sell."

Whilst there are many alternatives available, one of the key elements that comes through is that the company is working for the benefit of military personnel. They are very willing to offer free advice, with no strings attached, thus ensuring that the policy holder has a tailor made service, and with the average saving of 20% over existing companies the additional competition has to be good for us, the customers.

So how is it possible to be in with a chance of having free car insurance up to the value of £2,000 for one year?

"We are wanting to say a big thank you to all of those who have supported us throughout this last year", said Keith, "Anyone who already has insurance with us, anyone who calls requesting a quote and those who take up the quote offer will be in with a chance. All names will be placed into 'a hat' and the winner will be selected at random at the end of July. This gives people the opportunity to still be in with a chance of winning."

A surf to the website will show that it is not only cars that TF Insurances help with, they even do wedding insurance. Further details of the chance of winning up to £2000 of car insurance can also be found on the website.