In this month’s edition, we discuss everything you need to know about Employer’s Liability Insurance and find out if you have sufficiently prepared your car for the spring season.

We also give you a guide to Tradesman Insurance and, to round off this month’s edition, we explain Professional Indemnity Insurance.

We hope you enjoy this month's edition!

• Temporary car insurance for drivers 18 to 75
• Temporary van insurance for drivers aged 21 to 75
• Temporary learner driver insurance for drivers aged 17 to 25
• Temporary under 21 car insurance for students and learner drivers
• We cover vehicles from £500 to £60,000 (some limitations apply)
• Cover available from 1 hour to 28 days for cars and vans (1 hour to 24 weeks for Learner Driver insurance)
• Easy to use online quote form, get short term cover in minutes
• All policies are fully comprehensive
• Can be used to cover business use on a private car

• Short term cover
• Emergency situations
• Borrowing a car or van
• You need to share a long drive or trip
• Using your car for a business trip
• Moving house or office

• Less admin: One renewal date means less admin when it’s time to insure your fleet of vehicles with one policy.
  
  
• It’s cheaper: Insuring a fleet is much cheaper than insuring each vehicle individually
  
  
• Convenience: All your drivers can be insured to drive any vehicle in the fleet.

• Fleet size: The smaller the number of vehicles in a fleet, the cheaper the cost of insuring the fleet because fewer vehicles reduce the risk of a potential claim.
  
  
• Vehicle type: The replacement value, power, and fitted security of your vehicles will affect insurance costs.
  
  
• Fleet use: Every business is different; a taxi service belongs to a different industry sector than haulage, and the cost and policy details will reflect this.
  
  
• Drivers: Employing experienced drivers with clean driving licences will help reduce costs.
  
  
• Excess: Just as with your personal car insurance premium, the higher the voluntary excess, the cheaper the premium.

As we approach the end of the year, temperatures are dropping, and dark nights are drawing in. Winter can be a magical time of year, but it also comes with its hazards. For this reason, it is crucial to be well prepared for the festive season so that you can look after your home and avoid any potential problems. It is also critical to review your home insurance policy and add any coverage you believe is necessary to protect your home during the harsh winter season.

Damage

Although snow can create some magical scenes in the winter months, a large amount of it can cause significant damage to your home. When snow and ice accumulate on a property's roof, they become incredibly heavy and can cause structural damage. The weight of snow can also force tree branches to snap, which is especially dangerous if you live near big trees. Cold weather can also cause pipes to freeze and possibly burst, causing substantial property damage.

It is best to address any concerns regarding masonry, roofing, plumbing, windows, and doors as soon as possible. Waiting times for jobs like these increase as we move closer to winter, so it is best to schedule any of these repairs sooner rather than later.

Most home insurance policies will usually cover snow and ice damage, but it is crucial to double-check the details of your policy to avoid unwanted surprises and to understand the limitations of your coverage. Damage caused by a lack of general maintenance is unlikely to be covered, so it is important to take all necessary precautions to reduce the risk of property damage.

Heating

At this colder time of year, it is important to make sure that your central heating system is working properly. Because maintenance wait times are much longer in the winter, you should have your boiler examined before the cold weather arrives.

Depending on the policy you have, your insurance may or may not cover boilers and central heating systems. A standard home insurance policy is unlikely to cover your boiler, but there are specific policies that can provide coverage for your central heating systems. This will cover the cost of maintenance and repairs, but you should still carefully study the policy's terms and conditions to understand exactly what is covered.

Burglary

As the end of the year draws closer, maybe you're making plans to spend time with loved ones over the festive period or to escape the cold for a few weeks. If so, you should make sure your home is secure, as burglary rates increase over the festive period.

Firstly, it is key to make sure your doors and windows are locked, whether you are at home or not. Doorbell cameras allow you to see who is at your door without unlocking it, as well as alerting you when somebody has approached your property while you are not in the house. To make people think that you’re home even when you’re not, it is recommended that you leave a couple of lights on in the house. You should also avoid displaying expensive Christmas gifts, as these could attract burglars looking for easy targets.

Although a standard buildings and contents insurance policy usually covers your home in the event of a burglary, you should check the details of your policy so that you can fully understand the extent of your coverage. Insurance companies may ask you to take steps to protect your home in order to reduce the likelihood of a burglary.

If you have queries regarding your policy's coverage or want to ensure you're well-protected against winter-related damages or burglaries, it's a good idea to talk to your insurance broker.

Many firms are asking staff to return to work in the office. We are no longer required to self-isolate with Covid and there is no obligation for staff to tell employers if they test positive. So what does this mean for workplace safety in 2022?

Infection prevention

Many employers are experiencing an increased expectation from their workforce to keep staff safe and well. Employers should continue to prioritise infection prevention and control, where possible increasing ventilation, reducing contact between employees and keeping the workplace clean.

Remote working obligations

Now that businesses of all types have adapted to remote working, many have embraced it. Some have even altered recruitment policies to widen the pool of talent and actively recruited people on remote-working contracts.

In the rush to shift to remote working in 2020, a large number of employers may not have taken the time to complete home-based working risk assessments. Now that remote working is here to stay, it is important that risk managers take seriously the health and safety responsibilities of people working at home. From electrical equipment to posture, employers have a legal duty to take appropriate measures to ensure their staff have a safe working environment outside of the workplace.

Mental Health

Employers across the country are placing mental health and wellbeing high up on their agenda, offering training to line managers and appointing roles such as a mental health first aider. In 2021, The Health & Safety Executive’s annual report on workplace health and safety statistics, showed 451,000 people suffering from a new case of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. That was a 30% year-on-year increase and we expect that figure to rise again.

Some employees will not feel comfortable returning to pre-pandemic working patterns. They may need help managing a phased return to the workplace, along with psychological support around coping with anxious thoughts.

For others, the last two years working from home may have taken a toll on their mental health. Employees working from home are more likely to feel isolated compared to those in a workplace, sometimes resulting in anxiety, depression and a significant lack of motivation. Employers should be reassuring employees that they can ask for help and receive support if they need it.  

Disputes linked to safety concerns

Risk managers need to be aware of the potential for unrelated disputes to play out in a workplace safety context. An employee with a grievance about terms of employment, a flexible working request or even a performance-related issue, could latch onto workplace safety as a justification for a certain course of action.

It is more important than ever for risk managers to work in partnership with Human Resources departments as well as individual line managers, ensuring processes are well-documented and paper trail management is scrupulous.

Now is a great time to ensure your insurance policies cover you for all the risks to which you may be exposed. To discuss any aspect of your company’s insurance policy portfolio, get in touch.

Many firms are asking staff to return to work in the office. We are no longer required to self-isolate with Covid and there is no obligation for staff to tell employers if they test positive. So what does this mean for workplace safety in 2022?

Infection prevention

Many employers are experiencing an increased expectation from their workforce to keep staff safe and well. Employers should continue to prioritise infection prevention and control, where possible increasing ventilation, reducing contact between employees and keeping the workplace clean.

Remote working obligations

Now that businesses of all types have adapted to remote working, many have embraced it. Some have even altered recruitment policies to widen the pool of talent and actively recruited people on remote-working contracts.

In the rush to shift to remote working in 2020, a large number of employers may not have taken the time to complete home-based working risk assessments. Now that remote working is here to stay, it is important that risk managers take seriously the health and safety responsibilities of people working at home. From electrical equipment to posture, employers have a legal duty to take appropriate measures to ensure their staff have a safe working environment outside of the workplace.

Mental Health

Employers across the country are placing mental health and wellbeing high up on their agenda, offering training to line managers and appointing roles such as a mental health first aider. In 2021, The Health & Safety Executive’s annual report on workplace health and safety statistics, showed 451,000 people suffering from a new case of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. That was a 30% year-on-year increase and we expect that figure to rise again.

Some employees will not feel comfortable returning to pre-pandemic working patterns. They may need help managing a phased return to the workplace, along with psychological support around coping with anxious thoughts.

For others, the last two years working from home may have taken a toll on their mental health. Employees working from home are more likely to feel isolated compared to those in a workplace, sometimes resulting in anxiety, depression and a significant lack of motivation. Employers should be reassuring employees that they can ask for help and receive support if they need it.  

Disputes linked to safety concerns

Risk managers need to be aware of the potential for unrelated disputes to play out in a workplace safety context. An employee with a grievance about terms of employment, a flexible working request or even a performance-related issue, could latch onto workplace safety as a justification for a certain course of action.

It is more important than ever for risk managers to work in partnership with Human Resources departments as well as individual line managers, ensuring processes are well-documented and paper trail management is scrupulous.

Now is a great time to ensure your insurance policies cover you for all the risks to which you may be exposed. To discuss any aspect of your company’s insurance policy portfolio, get in touch.

• at least 15 years old and
• has a market value of £15,000 or more.
• But car insurance companies have their own set of criteria for determining whether a car is classic, depending on age, make and model (so you could even find you’ve been driving a classic car without realising it).

• get a fixed penalty of £100
• have your vehicle wheel-clamped, impounded or destroyed
• face a court prosecution, with a possible maximum fine of £1,000.

When it comes to ensuring the safety and longevity of your business and its employees, it can start to feel like there exists a never-ending supply of insurance products that are required to keep your company protected should the worst happen; public liability, directors and cyber, to name a few.

Whilst those aforementioned policies might not be necessary for your business depending on the size of your operation, employee liability is a rarity in that it is essential for your company as soon as you employ one or more people. Here, we break down why employee liability insurance is far from optional for your business:

Do I really need employee liability insurance?

If you employ one or more other people, yes! This insurance is compulsory by law and can carry hefty fines by the government should your company not have it in place. This can include a £1000 penalty if you cannot produce the certificate on request or display it in your place of work and a potentially crippling £2,500 fine for every day that you do not have the insurance in place. 

Just in case that wasn’t enough, it’s worth pointing out that these penalties can be backdated to periods where such protection wasn’t in place. With that in mind, it certainly isn’t worth running the risk of not having employee liability for your business. 

Who and what does employee liability cover?

The policy protects every employee that has their hours or location chosen for by your business, regardless of whether they are paid or not. This can cover permanent, contract, part-time, temporary, volunteer or student workers. 

In terms of the protection provided, employee liability will offer assistance with paying compensation to employees who suffer an injury or illness as a direct consequence of any activity that your business carries out; for example, a fall from a faulty ladder. The protection would also be in place should a former employee make a claim against you.  

Are there any exceptions?

Family businesses are exempt from requiring employee liability, so should you run a shop or restaurant, you would not need such a policy in place and would not be at risk of a fine. 

How much cover could I need and how is it calculated?

Small-to-medium businesses must have a minimum of £5m cover as a legal requirement, with most providers offering cover of at least £10m. 

The policy is determined by looking at the industry that your business is in and how great the risks are to your employees; the size of your business, i.e. how many people are in your employ and the history of your company. This could look at the amount of time that you’ve been trading for and any past claims.  

As the warmer weather sets in, days become longer and the evening skies are brighter, we know spring has arrived. Throughout the winter, we’re all guilty of neglecting our cars’ needs. After all, spending time out in the cold, snowy weather, checking fluid levels, testing brakes and cleaning from top to bottom is not everyone’s cup of tea.

So, why not treat your car to its very own spring clean this month? Here are three things you can get started with.

Do you need new wipers?

The snow, rain, and icy weather that we encounter throughout the winter can mean that you need new wipers by the time spring arrives. If you notice your windscreen is streaky or still dirty after you have cleaned it, this may be a tell-tale sign that now is the time to invest in some new wipers. 

Have you tested your brakes recently?

Signs that show your brakes may be wearing include squeaking or grinding noises when applying pressure to the brake pedal. Brakes can be professionally tested and fixed during a routine service, ensuring you, your family, and your car are all safe!

Did you know leaving your car dirty can cause damage? 

With gritted roads and melting ice, your car can get particularly dirty during the winter. Now that spring has arrived, why not get your cleaning products out and make your car look new? Leaving dirt on your car can lead to micro-scratches and rusting paintwork – not something any car owner wants!

Is your car insurance policy up for renewal soon? Our knowledgeable experts are here to ensure you take out a sufficient policy that covers all your needs.

It’s common knowledge that the role of a tradesman is one of the riskiest and most diverse fields to work in. To properly protect your business, your employees, members of the public and yourself, it is necessary to secure an insurance policy that acts as an overall protection for your business. Find out more about how a Tradesman insurance policy can assist your business.

If you operate from a business premises that you own or rent, then you should consider a different business insurance policy. A tradesman insurance policy will only cover those who work from home, outside or on their client’s property.

What is included in a Tradesman insurance policy?

We can tailor a tradesman insurance policy to suit your individual needs. Usually, a tradesman insurance policy combines different aspects of several other insurance policies.

Personal Accident

For the self-employed, a sickness or injury can prevent you from working; putting a sudden end to your ability to earn a living. Personal accident insurance provides financial support in the event of a personal injury or death. You can control the level of cover depending on your level of risk.

Public Liability

Should you be responsible for a member of the public suffering an injury, loss or damage to themselves or their property via negligence on your part, then you could be financially liable. A public liability policy assists with the costs of a lawsuit for negligence.

Contract Work Cover

Sometimes you can’t prevent against every eventuality. Contract work cover provides protection against an uninsurable event that stops you from fulfilling a contract. For example, the structure of the building is damaged by a storm or flood. Be aware that contract works will only cover the parts of the building that you are working on, not the existing structure.

Employers’ Liability

No matter what type of business you run, employers’ liability is a legal requirement for any business, no matter the number of staff members. This cover will protect you and your employees should they be injured while on the job.

‘Own Plant’ cover and ‘Hired-In Plant’ cover

What’s a workman without his tools? Should your equipment be damaged or stolen, your business could experience some downtime. An own plant or hired-in plant policy (depending on whether you own or hire your equipment) provides financial cover for the equipment that your business desperately needs.

There are also several optional covers that you can add to a tradesman's policy, such as efficiency cover, work abroad cover, asbestos and specialist locations insurance. Speak with your adviser, who can assist you in customising your policy further.

With the number of self-employed people growing their own businesses and offering an increased range of services, there is a growing need to check that you have correct insurance and are always acting correctly alongside following standard procedures. 

What is Professional Indemnity Insurance?Professional indemnity insurance is a type of insurance for businesses that provide information or advice to clients or handle client data. Importantly, it can cover compensation claims if businesses are sued by a client for financial losses due to a business mistake. It can also be known as personal liability insurance.

Any business that provides a service should consider taking out professional indemnity insurance. Your business could be vulnerable to a negligence claim where a service fails to meet a client’s expectation, and this insurance can help you. It is often a requirement from a professional body membership or contract that you are bound by to have the insurance to practice and you may find clients will not agree to work with you if you do not have it.