Bennetts

Infobox Company
company_name = Bennetts
company_type = Public
foundation = 1930
location = Peterborough, United Kingdom
key_people = Gordon Bennett, Founder
industry = Finance and Insurance
products = Financial Services
parent = Budget Group of Companies
homepage = [http://www.bennetts.co.uk/ www.bennetts.co.uk]
footnotes =

Bennetts, part of the BGL Group, is the UK’s number one for motorcycle insurance and insures over 170,000 bikers in the UK (including Northern Ireland). Established in 1930, Bennetts has over 70 years experience in the insurance industry.

Approximately 300 staff, based at its Contact Centre in Coventry, provide quotes to around 600,000 bikers per year.

Bennetts was the first company to offer online motorbike insurance quotes.

Key facts about Bennetts

1930Founded by Gordon Bennett in Coventry and provided general insurance for customers

1970Due to demand and changes in the market Bennetts became specialists in motorcycle insurance in the early 1970’s and devised a number of schemes for bikers

1999Free Phone number became available at weekends due to demand

2000Bennetts was the first to launch its quote and buy facility online at www.bennetts.co.uk

2001Winner of Insurance Age ‘Website of the Year 2001’

2001Budget Financial Group acquired Dial Direct Insurance Marketing Ltd, which incorporated the Bennetts brand

At the time of acquisition Bennetts insured 95,000 bikers

2003The Bennetts brand was given a new identity and look.

Bennetts became personal sponsor of Neil Hodgson who went on to become the 2003 World Superbike Champion

Bennetts dominated TV screens through sponsoring bike related programmes on Sky including Men and Motors, Motors TV, Sky Sports and Moto Plus

2004Bennetts became the preferred insurance provider for the BMF, British Motorcyclists Federation

2005Bennetts invested almost £700,000 in the latest state of the art technology to enhance its product offerings to meet customer demands

Bennetts became the title sponsor of the 2005 British Superbike Championship

2006Bennetts renews BSB sponsorship deal and becomes title sponsor of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship for the second year running.

Bennetts sponsors TV coverage of the BSB on ITV1 and launches its new 'be part of it' TV credits, featuring a competition to find bikers and bike lovers to star in its next set of TV credits.

Other

Over the past few years Bennetts has made significant investment in the Bennetts brand, through a number of high profile marketing and PR campaigns.

In May 2003 Bennetts relaunched the Bennetts brand with a new identity. At the same time Bennetts became a personal sponsor of Neil Hodgson who went on to become the World Superbike Champion later that year.

In 2005 Bennetts became the title sponsor of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and in 2007 will be entering its third year as title sponsor.

Within the world of sport the British Superbike Championship is considered to be the premiership of motorcycling. As the biggest sponsorship deal ever undertaken in the history of the brand, Bennetts has worked hard to maximise the deal to ensure maximum brand awareness.

In addition Bennetts has established relationships with a number of key industry partners including the British Motorcyclists Federation and Hein Gericke Motorcycle Clothing and Accessories.

Bennetts Babes

In August 2003 Bennetts launched a nationwide search to find 4 Bennetts Babes to become ambassadors for the Bennetts brand. In November 2003 the 4 winners were unveiled at the NEC’s National Motorcycle and Scooter Show and for the next year were used to represent the brand at various events around the country.

In 2005 a search was launched to find 12 Bennetts Babes to represent the brand and become Official Grid Girls for the 2006 Bennetts British Superbike Championship, which is broadcast live on ITV1, at race circuits throughout the UK.

In addition each girl signed up to a 12-month modelling contract with DLP Models, one of the UK's leading model agencies, with over ten years experience in the industry.

The Bennetts Babes took part in a photoshoot to feature in Bennetts' first ever 2007 'Bennetts Grid Girl' calendar, which is produced in association with Danilo (www.danilo.com) who currently licence Official Calendars for people such as Robbie Williams, Kelly Brook, Kylie Minogue and Jennifer Ellison.

Over 250 girls from across the country entered the search hoping to impress the judging panel to become one of the final 12.

The winners were judged on a combination of looks, personality and the ability to fulfil the role of ambassadors for the Bennetts brand.

External links

* [http://www.bennetts.co.uk The Bennetts Website]
* [http://www.budgetinsurance.com Budget Group Website]