Elf and safety agreement saves Rudolph!

FELIXSTOWE: Two insurance companies have decided not to play Scrooge this Christmas after taking action to help Santa Claus out on a matter of “elf and safety”.

It was feared Santa might not be able to travel with his sleigh because the companies felt it was too big a risk - one of them asking for an extra premium to cover the red-nosed reindeer on his annual trip around Felixstowe.

However, after The Evening Star intervened, both Aviva and Hastings Direct agreed the volunteer drivers of Felixstowe's Rotary and Save the Children Rudolph float would be covered.

Problems arose after Brian Andrews, of Kirton, was told by Hastings Direct he would not be covered for towing the float, while Terry Smith, of Old Felixstowe, was asked by Aviva for an extra �21 on his premium.

“It's a real shame because we are doing this for charity and have never had any problems before,” said Mr Andrews.

“If I filled this same trailer up with garden rubbish and took it down the dump, I would be covered so why not with a plastic reindeer on the back?”

Cath Bury, from Felixstowe of Save the Children, which raises thousands of pounds from the float's nightly trips around the town, said the group decided to check this year with drivers to make sure they were covered.

“We have liability insurance for the collectors and everything else. One of the Rotarians checked with his insurance company and they said yes, the trailer was covered with the car, but I guess it is up to the discretion of every insurance company,” she said.

A spokeswoman for Hastings Direct said Mr Andrews's policy had been reviewed and the problem had now been sorted.

Adam Cracknell, of Aviva, said the company had agreed to waive any extra premium as the event was for charity.

Have you had problems with insurance companies? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk