Another happy client
Thanks to Jacqui Williams, Operations Director at C & C Flooring (Midlands) Ltd, for a great testimonial.
“Andy gave us good, honest, valuable advice. He was very quick and efficient on giving quotations and advice and delivered our paperwork before the date given. We would highly recommend his services and the prices given gave us a very valuable saving to our company.”
If you need great flooring from carpets to industrial flooring and from resin to safety flooring, C & C Flooring (Midlands) Ltd can help!
What a great testimonial!
It’s great to receive positive recommendations and testimonials from clients for our insurance advice.
This time from Gareth Hodson, GJH Electrical Services Ltd, Electrical Contractor based in Bromsgrove
“I have known Andrew Phillips for over 12 months and during that time the company has always presented itself to be professional and experts in the insurance industry. When my home insurance was due for renewal I had no hesitation in asking Andrew Phillips to look at it for me. The existing policy was not suited to my needs and I was being overcharged for the cover I needed. I now have the correct policy in place and have saved money in the process. Excellent service and would certainly recommend!”
Thanks Gareth
An expensive mistake
A client of mine almost made a very expensive mistake this week.
They have professional indemnity insurance and received a letter from one of their clients alleging that some work they had done was not up to scratch and that additional costs had been incurred in putting it right.
My client forwarded the letter to me but it turns out that they knew about the problems with the work several months ago. The insurance company initially declined to deal with the claim for this reason but have since been persuaded otherwise, but it was touch and go!
The moral of the story – make sure all staff are aware how important it is to report client complaints (even if the company may not be at fault) to management or directors, then make sure your insurer is notified straight away.
What if….I need company car insurance
What if….my company buys a car?
Whilst there has been a trend of reducing company cars in recent years, some businesses do still need to supply cars to their staff. So what happens about insurance?
Some important things to remember:
- The insurance needs to be in the company name, not an employee’s.
- It needs to cover the business use of the company.
- “Any driver” policies are still available but expensive – most insurers prefer to have named drivers and will give a good discount for this.
- If the car is kept in a lower risk area at night, tell the insurer – it may reduce the premium.
- Get into the habit of checking employee driving licences at least once a year, to make sure they are entitled to drive. Then advise your insurer of any convictions.
Business Car insurance is available but Motor Fleet insurance might also be suitable……….A client of mine recently acquired a second car for the business. He already had the first car insured with someone else but was being quoted a very high premium to add a second car. He hadn’t made any claims so by setting up a “mini-fleet” policy (yes, they are available for just 2 cars) I was able to save him several hundred pounds.
To find out how we can help your business, click HERE and select your particular sector.
If you need help with your motor fleet or other company insurance, give me a call on 01527 834696 or email me at aphillips@apinsurance.co.uk.
Insurer prevents cold Christmas
It’s my last post of the year and I’m ending with a positive news story which involves me!
Twas the night before Christmas (Eve) and all through the house, not a radiator was humming, not even a clunk! Well actually it was the boiler that was clunking but not much else. 11.15 on Sunday night and we were facing a cold Christmas and no hot water – what a prospect!
Fortunately, my home insurance included a home emergency service. A phone call was made and the next day (Christmas Eve) an engineer arrived and fixed the problem in 20 minutes – at NO COST.
Not all insurers are trying to wriggle out of claims!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Andy Phillips
Don’t be tempted to turn off the heating
As the bank holiday approaches, don’t be tempted to do what one of my clients did a few years ago.
His business always closed over Christmas and New Year so he thought he would save on his heating bill by turning off the heating. Yes, you’ve guessed it, there was a cold snap and his pipes froze then burst….leaving water running through his premises for several days unchecked.
The result – damaged flooring, stock, computer equipment and loss of income whilst the business was closed. All of this was insured but what couldn’t be covered was the stress, inconvenience and time he lost in getting his business back to normal.
- Don’t be tempted to turn off the heating – just turn down the thermostats.
- To be extra cautious – lift all computers, valuable equipment and stock off the floor.
- Have your heating system regularly serviced
Servicing of Domestic Electric Gates
A recent Health & Safety Executive case has stated that it is NOT mandatory for “domestic” owners of electric gates to have them serviced/tested annually.
HSE was investigating a firm that stated it was compulsory for electric gates to be serviced annually under current health and safety regulations. However, the HSE does advise that it is a good idea to have regular checks carried out gates in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.
Will Flood Insurance continue?
It is estimated that the cost of flood damage in 2012 will be £1bn. “So what” you may ask, “That’s what insurance is for”.
Yes it is, but insurance is all about protecting against unforeseen events, not things that are likely to happen. Insurers now have more and more data about the likelihood of flooding across the country and for some areas, it doesn’t look good.
But insurers aren’t all bad! For the past few years, they have had an agreement with the government that they will continue to provide flood insurance, even in high risk areas, as long as the government continued to invest in flood prevention measures. This agreement comes to an end in June 2013 and less is being spent by government!
So what’s the solution?
Insurers are trying to reach a new agreement with government. Part of this requires the government to fund a temporary overdraft facility to insurers which would cover any large losses in the next two years, until insurers build up a suitable “pot of money”. This is where talks have broken down.
What can be done?
Pressure needs to be brought on the “powers that be” to get back round the table and hammer out an agreement. Otherwise many homes and businesses may become uninsurable which would have a knock on effect on property values, particularly in the Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire areas.
You can help by contacting your MP and asking him or her to ask questions about what is being done to reach an agreement.
Winter Weather Precautions
Hope you enjoyed the summer!! Just to make it worse, now is a good time to prepare for the coming winter weather and those darker nights. Here are a few suggestions to help.
- Flat roofs – Insurers don’t pay out if they are poorly maintained and they are very susceptible to wind and storm damage so make sure they have been inspected for signs of wear and tear.
- Large trees – watch out for dead branches and for any branches that are close to the building. These should be cut down by a professional tree surgeon.
- Thefts of lead have been a recent problem so check to make sure you have not been a target. Unfortunately, such thefts are often only discovered after a period of heavy rain.
- Burst pipes are still a common problem, usually if the home or business is unoccupied or not in use for a few days over the holiday period. Make sure the heating system is left on over these periods.
- Snow and ice – whilst this may not be here for a while, if and when it does come, keep an eye on guttering and outbuildings. It’s not uncommon for guttering to be pulled down by the weight of snow and icicles.
- Keep gutters and downpipes clear of blockages. Once the leaves have fallen it is good practice to make sure there are no blockages in gutters, downpipes and gullies to help prevent water from backing up or flooding.
- Portable heaters – if you are using these, make sure they are checked by a qualified electrician.
- Have your boiler serviced before the weather gets too cold!
- Make sure your outbuildings are securely locked.
- Don’t leave your car keys on display or in easy reach of your letterbox. Some thieves have been known to “fish” for car keys through letterboxes.
- If you go away for a few days, try not to make it obvious that the house is empty. Put some lights on timer, cancel any deliveries and ask a neighbour to move your post out of sight.
For more home insurance tips CLICK HERE.
If you would like a home insurance review, please call 01527 834696 or complete your details HERE and we will contact you.
What you do – Is it insured?
What you do is important to you but it’s also important to an insurer. Get your business description wrong on your policy and you could be heading for trouble!
Why? We all know that insurance policies can be complex but at the root of your insurance is what you do. The insurance will cover you for risks “arising out of your business”. But if you are doing something that the insurer doesn’t know about then your insurance may not pay out.
Some examples of common mistakes:
- Forgetting to include “property owner” if you own as well as occupy the building
- A web development and mobile App company being described as “on-line shopping”!
- A carpenter not including his painting and decorating work
Making sure we get the small details right like a business description is only a tiny part of what we do as an insurance broker.
Give Andy Phillips a call to discuss your business – 01527 834696 or email aphillips@apinsurance.co.uk
Andrew Phillips Insurance Brokers – Helping you to make an informed choice!
