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7th
MAY

Liability Insurance Protection – Diamond Jubilee

Posted by Active under Latest News, Public Liability

It is a busy year for the UK – we have the Olympics upon us shortly and also the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. For those of us old enough to remember the Queens Silver Jubilee, this brings back nostalgic memories of street parties and neighbours actually knowing each other and celebrating together. Unfortunately, times have changed since that period and litigation is now rife. Gone are the days when someone has an accident, laughs it off and puts the blame squarely on themselves, however  the ABI recently published a guide to planning an event such as a street party which is worth reading if you are the organiser, to make the day a complete success.

There is no law that requires an event organiser to buy insurance (except where the organiser employs someone – then employers liability insurance is compulsory), so common sense must prevail especially where young children or alcohol are involved. Some of the common issues that need considering are:

  • Is the area suitable for such an event?
  • How many people will turn up?
  • Is there a first aid kit available?
  • What sports will be arranged – consider if alcohol present!
  • Is food being served – hygiene standards imperative?
  • What will happen in the event of an emergency?
Also consider if you are renting or using someone else property or if apparatus such inflatable bouncy castles or trampolines come with insurance from their supplier – these are notorious for inflicting injury and little Jonny’s mother will be none to pleased to see him spending six weeks in a plaster cast or worse.

There are many issues to consider so getting comparative insurance quotes by typing in something like “compare liability insurance” or “cheap public liability” into a search engine won’t cost a penny for peace of mind. But be honest and clear as to the type of event you are arranging so the day can be enjoyed by all.

18th
APR

Daily Digest – 2012-04-18

Posted by Active under Latest News, Property News, Public Liability, Unoccupied Property News

Looking in the London Metro newspaper (18th April edition) it was interesting to see just how many insurance related articles were reported. The Metro reported that according to the watchdog Which?, water companies are encouraging customers to spend £100 million pounds a year on pipe insurance that, they say is needless when water firms offer free repairs anyway. Apparently, 667,000 homes in the Anglian, Southern and United utilities are paying £35 per year for this cover to a firm called Homeserve.

Which are calling on the regulator to take action. Some home insurance policies may cover this anyway so it is worth checking your policy. Where someone has an unoccupied house insurance policy or an empty home insurance quote, it is rarely covered.

In other news, a policeman accidentally tweeted that an aircraft had crashed in Camberley, Surrey. Apparently he actually meant to just update his status about his beat – most odd, but aircraft damage is covered by most policies in any case – except sonic booms.

The weather has also hit the news with “marble-sized”hailstones and an inch of rain in the South of England today along with winds of up to 60mph. Thankfully the strength of such winds would be classed as storm under the majority of house insurance polices. It is forecast that there is more to come, despite a hose-pipe ban.

It was also reported in the Metro that organ traffickers are suspected eyes of two deceased people in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Theft is a huge problem but is there nothing sacred?

A gas fitter has been jailed for manslaughter following sub standard work on a home that subsequently killed an occupant with carbon monoxide poisoning. Whether he had liability insurance and whether or not insurers would have indemnified him is unclear but the judge obviously took a dim view on his rushed boiler installation and sentenced him to three years imprisonment for manslaughter by gross negligence.

And finally, the Metro printed a picture of a car in the middle of the New Mexican desert, clearly with nothing for miles around and hit what looks like an isolated telegraph pole. Typical that there happened to be a photographer there….

23rd
DEC

Plumbers Liability Insurance – What To Look For

Posted by Active under Latest News, Public Liability

Now that insurance comparison websites have commoditised products, particularly motor insurance, there is a common perception that all public and employers liability products offered by insurance companies are also very much identical. Yes, the core covers are the same, but the terms, conditions and endorsements can vary significantly. Take plumbers liability insurance for example. For small firms with up to 15 employees, these are normally rated by insurers on what is known as a “per capita basis”. These policies are very cost effective, provide cheap liability insurance but are inflexible as the policyholder has to declare from the outset how many employees will be working for the firm and has to continually monitor large fluctuations throughout the policy period. Look for a product that includes some form of temporary employee cover, usually between 50 – 100 MAN days (i.e. 1 employee for 100 days, 2 employees for 50 days etc.), as this is a real benefit. Other pitfalls to look out for are :

  • If there are restrictions on the use of heat – this includes heat guns, blow torches, oxyacetylene and any other naked flame. It is not uncommon for policies to place strict procedures around the site, for the policy to be effective in the event of a claim
  • Height restrictions – most, but not all per capita policies restrict the height to 10 or 15 metres or a maximum of 4 storeys including the basement.
  • Premises restrictions – again, these types of policies tend to restrict the premises to private dwellings, shops, offices, hotels and schools only
  • The usage of PPE equipment, “toolbox talks” and health and safety obligations are always fulfilled under UK law.

For firms who want flexibility, wage-roll and turnover based products are available. Insurers rate each risk on its own merits, judging by the estimated splits on wage-roll/turnover at inception of the policy for the forthcoming year. Then, at the end of the policy period, the policyholder is required to complete a declaration giving the actual figures and the premium is then adjusted and, if the actual figures are higher, an additional premium is payable. This method has two distinct benefits for the policyholder. Firstly, it should be viewed as a form of credit! Secondly, in this competitive arena it is not unusual for insurers to “waive” the additional premium on the declared figures, if the policy is renewed for a further year.

The terms conditions and endorsements will fundamentally be the same as per capita products, but usually there is no height limit and there is only usually a hazardous locations restriction, such as railways, nuclear, airports etc…

Also remember that labour only subcontractors are also deemed employees for the purposes of insurance as there is still a legal obligation to cover these workers for employers liability.

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