Abu Dhabi, UAEWednesday 2 May 2018

Please don't penalise supercar owners

Readers discuss Afghanistan, immigration and supercars

Supercars have increasingly become a mainstay of Dubai's streets. Courtesy: McLaren Automotive

I refer to your article Supercar economics: how much it really costs to run a multi-million dirham motor (26 April): insurance has become a massive problem with the change in rules and, as a supercar owner, I am left paying a huge premium for substandard coverage alongside a huge liability. Insurance companies will not agree to provide agency repair for cars more than four years old and so benefit by forcing the use of ill-equipped body shops that are very cheap and have no experience of repairing supercars.

Confusion reigns within insurance companies on the question of whether certain parts of the new rules are mandatory or subject to commercial decisions. For example, the rules also state that insurance companies can charge up to 20 per cent of a claim as excess for sports cars. Dealers are not helping the situation by charging multiple times what independent shops do and up to 50 per cent more for parts than in other markets. On top of that, most banks will now not lend for sports cars. The picture of supercar ownership will no doubt change as they become impossible to buy and insure.

Kamal Raza, Abu Dhabi

A narrow view of migrant communities is unfortunate

In reference to your passionate editorial UK’s Windrush scandal is symbolic of the poisonous bigotry which eats away at society (April 30), it is indeed unfortunate that many developed countries are taking a very narrow view of immigration. This is principally due to a lack of adequate economic opportunities in these countries. When the economy is booming, everyone enjoys the party. When employment and economic opportunities shrink, we want to close the doors and windows of our homes. Global GDP has been growing at about two to three per cent per annum during the past decade. It is time world leaders focused on how to increase that to five to seven per cent per annum. Then some of the current schizophrenia will evaporate.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

We need practical action to eradicate terror

I refer to your article Twin ISIS suicide bomb attacks kill at least 25 in Kabul, including nine journalists (April 30): The National’s coverage of the twin suicide bomb attacks in Kabul that claimed the lives of dozens of people was elaborate and detailed. The series of attacks in Kabul in recent months that have resulted in so much loss of life is unacceptable. We need to move beyond talking. We need practical action to eradicate the scourge of terror. This attack targeted Nato forces who are in Afghanistan on a UN mandate to help its people. Afghanistan’s return to normality looks harder by the day.

K Ragavan, Denver

Thoughts for a young man who died far too soon

In reference to your online article Tributes paid as RAK rugby player dies from injury (April 30): I offer my condolences to his family and friends. This is very sad. Rest in peace.

Evon Rawlings, Dubai