Avoid Getting Caught Out by the Low Emission Zone

LONDON, January 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has, this month, been enforced across much of Central London, and it is likely that the LEZ will extend to other parts of the UK and Europe in the not too distant future, and so Comfort Insurance, a leading Motor Home Insurance provider, is issuing all Motor Home owners with a warning to try to convert their Motor Home so that it complies with regulations, or to be prepared to pay a fine for driving through the LEZ if the vehicle is not eligible.

The Zone now operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is policed by cameras positioned at strategic points along relevant routes. Comfort's Managing Director, Peter Cue, has been quoted saying: "The LEZ will cause a lot of hassle for many Motor Homers across the UK and eventually Europe, and so we would recommend that those with Motor Homes that currently do not meet the requirements for the LEZ should prepare and plan to have their vehicle converted, or incur the fine of £200 for driving through the LEZ."

He then added: "If your vehicle is going to go into, or through, the London LEZ and it does not comply with the new regulations, there is definitely going to be a cost attached, whether you pay the £200 fine or you pay the hefty expenses to have your vehicle converted."

Such hefty expenses to have a Motor Home converted can be as high as £3,500 or even maybe more. The process is also a rather lengthy one, as first the conversion work has to be done, and then the vehicle has to be registered with Transport for London (TfL), and in total, from start to finish, it can take up to two to three weeks to complete the conversion process.

Then, the certificate you will receive from TfL will have a two year lifespan, after which there will need to be another test to confirm the Particle Trap is still working properly. This all comes at an ongoing cost of course, in addition to the initial installation.

With the LEZ coming into force this month, Comfort Insurance recommends that you should check whether your Motor Home complies, and if not, that it may be time to consider your options for the future.