Blog

Our chosen charity for 2019 is Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance.    This was the overwhelming choice of our colleagues as we have recently been touched by this very valuable service.

2018 will be a year remembered for weather extremes. The 'Beast from the East', with an estimated loss of £1 billion a day to the national economy, and insurance claims of £361 million for storm, flood and burst pipe damage, was followed by one of the hottest summers on record which resulted in increased subsidence damage claims.

Latest statistics released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that around 595,000 workers were reported to be suffering from work related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2017/18, leading to 15.54 million lost working days. This represents over half of all working days lost due to ill health.

Other than for a short period following the financial crisis, over the last decade Professional Indemnity Insurance premiums have tumbled as underwriters fought to maintain and grow market share.    However, a review by Lloyds of London has now confirmed that UK Professional Indemnity Insurance (PI) has been unprofitable for most insurers, for many years, making it the second least profitable class at Lloyds.

Whilst many domestic insurance buyers are happy to purchase their home and motor insurance via a comparison site, there is no doubting that high net worth insurance buyers can benefit from using the services of an Insurance Broker that specialises in this area. The demands and needs of a high net worth customer differ from the average domestic insurance buyer and the sector is served by a number of distinct insurers with specific policies and wordings.  A sector Insurance Broker expert can help to identify and present risks to specialist insurers, suggest improvements for increasing cover and reducing premiums, in addition to assisting in valuing assets and making claims.

The sentencing of three men in November this year, for conspiring to deliberately cause a crash, in order to claim for injuries and vehicle damage, introduced a new variation on the crash-for-cash scam.  

The latest figures released by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show that a verdict was reached in 517 cases prosecuted by the HSE (or the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service in Scotland) in 2017/18 a fall from 612 cases in 2016/17.

Subsidence claims have hit a ten year high following our sizzling summer.  The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has revealed that more than 10,000 households made subsidence claims worth a total of £64 million in July, August and September of this year.

Whilst the main source of Employment Practices Liability (EPL) claims remains wrongful termination issues, the #MeToo movement, has exposed abuse of power and an increased focus on gender pay discrepancies.   Both have demonstrated the growing need for EPL insurance.

Legal firm, DAS Law , has issued a timely festive blog. The aim is to remind employers and employees alike that whilst the office Christmas party is an opportunity for work colleagues to relax and have a few drinks, it can also be a minefield.

Client Director, David Harrison was delighted to be invited by the British Aerosol Manufacturers Association (BAMA), who represent the aerosol industry, from suppliers of components and ingredients to fillers and marketers of aerosol products, to be a guest speaker at their annual Forum held at Oulton Hall, Leeds.

2018 will be remembered as the year of the Great British Heat Wave.  A year when many employees (and employers) across the country have been asking the question: ‘We have a minimum workplace temperature, but why is there no legally enforceable maximum workplace temperature?’ 

Leisure venues have long wrestled with the issue of defending allegations of negligence for slips when drink is spilt on dance floors.  A recent court case has delivered a positive result and laid down some much needed case law guidance for defending these claims.

According to figures released by the Association of British Insurers in the first nine months of this year the cost of motor theft claims rose to £271 million, an increase of 32% on the same period last year. The number of claims settled was 41,000 rising 11% on last year.

The increasing litigious society we live in coupled with legislative changes has meant we are seeing claims that can potentially exceed £20,000,000.

As a result we are now recommending that you carry a minimum limit of indemnity of £30,000,000 in respect of Employers, Public and Products liability.