More on bikers, car loans and insurance at the auto show

First and second run up winners in Nairobi. 

Is your vehicle insured? If so, what kind of insurance is it? Are you satisfied with it? When knocked, do you know that you can sue? These are the type of questions that Lion Assurance will be answering at the UG Autoshow. According to Donato Laboke, the marketing manager, they have some new products that they shall be showcasing at the show.

“We also hope to educate showgoers about third party insurance and motor comprehensive insurance. Most products in the market only cover up to damages, ours, that we shall unveil, will also give you legal representation,” he explains. Among other products to be showcased, will be the tour operators’ liability.

“We target all vehicles used or new. We also cover boda bodas for third party insurance and comprehensive insurance. We have already insured some bodas. We insure motorcycles in general,” says Laboke. He says their main role is to provide you with security against potential risks which you may encounter in the use of your vehicle, be it a motorcycle, a car or a lorry.

About the motor comprehensive cover, Laboke says they cover for loss of, or damage to the vehicle or its accessories and spare parts. “If replacement parts are not available or are out of stock from the manufacturer’s representative or agents, in East Africa, we will have to pay the extra cost of transporting them from elsewhere,” he explains.

In case the vehicle is under a hire-purchase or leasing agreement, Lion Assurance may pay the legal owner for any loss or damage to the vehicle. They also cover vehicles against damage arising out of riots, strikes and civil commotion, malicious damage as well as storms, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruption.

For major extensions on covers, Lion Assurance includes loss of keys. “In the event of car keys or lock transmitter of the vehicle being lost or stolen, we pay the cost for their replacement,” says Laboke. As for medical expenses, the company pays the medical expenses incurred following bodily injury to the insured or his/her driver as a result of an accident to the insured vehicle.

Unlike with some companies, Lion Assurance does cover the windscreen. “We shall pay the cost of replacing damaged or broken glass in the windscreen, windows or glass in sunroofs of the vehicle on replacement basis at no extra cost on your part,” Laboke asserts. Another extension is for assistance in an emergency. “If you cannot drive the vehicle as a result of an accident covered by the policy, we will arrange and pay for costs incurred in protecting the vehicle as well as those for towing the vehicle to the nearest competent repairer or to a garage of your choice, whichever is closer, Laboke argues.

Also innovative among some covers is the authority to repair. “In case the car gets an accident and it is really hard to inform us (i.e. the accident occurrs in a place where we have no regional offices) you have the right to authorise repairs up to a specified amount,” the marketing manager explains.

As for fire involving the insured vehicle, they re-imburse all the expenses and costs incurred in an attempt to extinguish the fire up to a specified limit. However, do not be so excited. Damage to tyres as a result of braking, punctures, cuts or bursts is not covered. Depreciation arising out of wear and tear, as well as mechanical or electrical breakages, is not paid for.

Riding for fun and charity

Although primarily a car event, motorcycles have sometimes gone hand-in-hand with cars when it comes to auto shows as they too wow motoring fans. This year’s UG Auto Show will be graced by the presence of the Uganda Bikers (UB), an organisation that was founded in 2003 to promote the enjoyment of owning and riding motorcycles. Through having fun, UB’s uniqueness vis a vis other organisations is to raise funds for local grassroots charity providing services such as healthcare and education to orphans affeccted by HIV/Aids.

“We promote road safety awareness while exploring the many scenic roads of Uganda and of other African destinations,” says Pietro Averono, the organisation’s press officer. At the UG Auto show, Gianfranco Masetto, the current UB Chairman, said that besides raising awareness for their charities, they will also showcase the riders’ dressing and the peculiarity of their bikes having engines ranging from 400cc and 1200cc.

UB membership is made up of a unique blend of foreigners and Ugandans, both males and females who share the passion for riding and the love of motorcycles. An avid traveller and fan, Averono says they do have one trip a year to Kenya in order to participate in the Concurs D’ Elegance, a prestigious international event.

“Four times a year, we travel 350km-500km a day to places such as Arua, Gulu, Fort Portal, Kabale. By the way, Kabale-Kisoro is the most challenging and attractive scenic road in Uganda. It is a piece of art located in a wonderful display of lakes and volcano, a site to be promoted to the world of tourism,” he stresses.

Masetto says that they also ride short distances over the weekends. “We do weekly and monthly trips. We go to Mbarara, Jinja, Mbale, and Hoima among other places, we depart in the morning and we come back in the evening.” Sounds like fun. So how does one join, you may ask. Each Ugandan member pays Shs100,000 annually, foreigners pay Shs200,000. Entry fees are Shs200,000 for Ugandans and Shs400,000 for foreigners. Currently, there are 30 members. Can Boda boda riders join? No, they say.

Averono says these motorcycles do not meet the organisation’s safety measures. “Bodas are not safely structured for off-road purposes and for long distances,” he explains. There are rules and regulations which when not met, you are disqualified. You have to have boots, gloves, helmets, jackets, reflectors and be disciplined. “We have rules about movement on the road. We don’t carry passengers,” Masetto spells out the rules. Apart from Kenya, this year, they may do Rwanda and Burundi by the end of April. “We encourage females to join us,” Masetto says. With road accidents claiming the lives of thousands of innocent victims and injuring many more, UB will have to share a thing or two about road safety with guests at the UG Auto show.

Banking solutions

At the car show dubbed, UG Auto show, it won’t be all about cars without knowing how you can buy them easily. In that regard, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Uganda Limited will be showcasing its Asset Finance products including car loan schemes, finance leases, operating leases and insurance premium finance.

The head, Asset-Based Finance, Ronald Ssonko says they are partnering with the organisers to showcase their asset finance products to prospective buyers of brand new vehicles and accessories. “We want to appeal to this group. Someone will come to the show and want a car, but may not have cash on them. We engage them and structure a deal for them,” Ssonko explains. This structure involves the buyer making a minimum deposit of 10 per cent of the total cost of the car.

“We finance up to a maximum, 90 per cent of the total cost of the vehicle. A formal credit evaluation and terms and conditions will apply. We are only dealing with franchise dealers for this show, for maintenance of a standard that is offered by the franchise dealers” Ssonko further explains. He adds, “As a bank, we also cater for all other forms movable assets for businesses and individuals.” According to KCB, the 90 per cent is payable within a maximum period of five years. The rate of interest is for all deals closed at the prevailing prime lending rate on either Uganda shillings or United States Dollar deals. Ssonko says it is possible to make early settlements without any penalties. Promising very competitive rates and class service, Ssonko urges the showgoers to come in big numbers.