Storm Damage - Things you should know.

With the recent high winds we've been having, I feel it would be important to remind our clients about the scope of their cover when it comes to Storm Damage; beit to their own home, a let property or an unoccupied property.

Unoccupied properties are often not covered against storm. When a property is unoccupied, the perils that the insurer will cover the property owner against are often restricted to just Fire, Lightning, Earthquake, Explosion and Aircraft only. Extended cover can be sourced which reinstates the standard perils (Storm, flood, escape of water etc) but this cover would carry a much higher premium and the maximum claim amount for the additional perils may be restricted to say £2,500 for any one claim.

One of the most common part of a property which would suffer damage in stormy conditions is fences. On any policy covering a property, it is common that storm damage to gates, fences and posts are excluded.

Another important point to note would be if your property has a flat roof. Flat roofs often carry an increased excess for ingress of water following a storm (typically £500). Also there would likely be an endorsement on the policy stating the flat roof needs to be annually inspected by a builder and for any defects to be immediately repaired.

If you are looking for a quote for your property or would like some advice, please call the commercial team on 01249 463206 or check out our website www.advanceinsurance.co.uk

Fleet Insurance

Employer's Responsibilities:

Employer's are legally responsible for employees who drive whilst at work and this extends
to employees who use their own private vehicles for business purposes.

Below are a few tips which will help ensure good fleet management and may help keep your premium costs
to a minimum;

Driver Safety:

Provide each driver with a handbook that sets out the driver's responsibilities.
This should include advice on what to do in the event of an accident.

Fleet Management:

Appoint a Fleet Manager
It's advisable and depending on size of company, compulsory to have a written Health & Safety policy.
Within this, a section on "driving at work" should be included.

Incident Reporting:
On appointment of a Fleet Manager, ensure that each and every incident is reported, logged and analysed.
This will help you notice any trends or training requirements.

Vehicle Safety:
Ensure that all employees who may drive for the company are vetted.
This should include an induction programme followed by regular assessment.
This will ensure that they hold the relevant licence and that they are medically fit.

For further information on Fleet Insurance or to obtain a quotation please contact our Commercial
Team on 01249 463206. We can quote on all sizes of fleets from 3 vehicles and upwards.

www.advanceinsurance.co.uk

Restaurant Insurance

Each business has it's own individual insurance needs and Restaurants are a good example.

There are many factors to consider together with  important information that must be disclosed.
For example:  Do you have frying equipment? Do you provide entertainment? Do you have a bar
for use by the general public? Do you have a children's play area? Do you provide a takeaway service?
The above is not an exhaustive list but simply a prompt to get ones mind thinking about what you need to consider to ensure that you will be properly insured.

At Advance Insurance we have tailor made policies for Restaurants.

Many online quote systems will only ask for your required sums insured and details of the security
before providing you with a premium indication. This may leave you exposed if an Insurer is not aware
of the full facts.

Call Advance today to discuss your full requirements

Ricky Marshall or David Mann 01249 463206 or Email: ricky.marshall@advanceinsurance.co.uk
                                                                                      david.mann@advanceinsurance.co.uk

Office Insurance

Do you require Office Insurance?

Advance Insurance can offer independent expert advice to ensure you get the protection you require.

Below is a list of items commonly covered together with items that can be optional :

Tenants Improvements

General Contents

Office Based Computers

Portable Computers

Specialist Equipment

Business Interruption

Public & Employers' Liability

Money Cover

Terrorism (optional)

Personal Accident cover (optional)

Fidelity Insurance (optional)

For more information please contact Ricky Marshall on 01249 463206

www.advance-commercial.co.uk

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Employers Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) and Employer Reference Numbers (ERN)

Employers Liability (EL) insurance was made compulsory under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. It effectively means that most employers need to purchase EL insurance in order to trade legally.

EL insurance enables employers to meet the cost of compensation should an employee suffer illness or injury related to the work they do, whether this occurs on or off-site.

Many business owners may be wondering why they have been asked to supply their broker/insurer with their ERN (Employer Reference Number) upon inception of a new policy, or renewal of an existing policy, which incorporates EL cover. The ERN number is passed by the broker/insurer to the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO)

ELTO is an independent industry body comprising members who are EL insurers and is a proactive move by the insurance industry to meet its obligations to help those who have suffered injury or disease in the workplace identify the relevant insurer quickly and efficiently. Some injuries or illnesses can take many years to manifest themselves, so this is especially relevant where a company has ceased trading or there is no immediately obvious point of contact to advise of the insurer for a specific cover period.

At the heart of this process is a centralised database – the Employers’ Liability Database (ELD). Claimants, claimant lawyers, employers, brokers, insurers and defendant lawyers can use the search facility where there is a specific claim in question.

There are very few ERN exceptions.

In all cases where PAYE is operated, an ERN is allocated to the employer and the ERN applies to all

UK businesses employing one or more people.

A minority of employers do not have an ERN, including those that:

• Pay all employees below the Lower Earnings Limit, none of the employees has another job, and none of the employees is in receipt of a state or occupational pension or other employee benefits, or;

• Are registered in the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands (these have no tax presence in the UK).

The ERN is found on many documents including P45, P60, P45, P60, P11/D and many payslips.

ERNs will normally begin with three numbers (representing the tax office whose catchment area the employer falls into) followed by a forward slash and then a combination of letters and numbers. e.g. 083/WY12345.

If you are insured through Advance Insurance Agencies Ltd (AIA) and you haven’t yet supplied your ERN number to us, please call 01249 463206 to do so.

For more information on the services AIA provide, please visit www.advanceinsurance.co.uk

Landowners Liability

Advance Insurance have many markets for Landlord Policies and can usually find a policy to suit most peoples needs when it comes to insuring their properties.

One policy which people can sometimes overlook is landowners liability which would provide public liability cover for just a piece of land on its own. This might be a field, a car park (even with garages), residents associations, a private road etc. Landowners may be held liable for any injured party or damaged property, including any associated legal costs, where the loss occurs on their land - even if the claimant does not have permission to be there.

We have access to several insurers who can provide this type of cover and cover can be granted for as little as £150 per year.

For more information or if you would like a quote, please contact Advance Insurance on 01249 463206 or visit our website www.advanceinsurance.co.uk

Claims Handling Service

Arguably the most important role of an Insurance policy is for it to provide peace of mind and act as a safety net to ensure a company can continue to trade following a large, potentially catastrophic claim.

But what is required from a business owner (or delegated member of staff) following such a claim and how much of their time could potentially be taken up throughout the claims process?

Time would be taken in preparing a claim, speaking to insurers, arranging site visits, arranging building works and negotiating settlements or interim payments with insurers. All this whilst also trying to keep the business running perhaps from alternative premises or other temporary arrangements.

For a relatively small sum, based on the company turnover and wageroll figures, we can provide you with a policy, to sit alongside your main insurance policy, which provides you with a loss adjuster to work on your behalf following an insured material damage claim (Fire, flood etc) which is likely to amount to more than £5,000. Upon notification you will have a loss adjuster on site within 24 hours who will deal with assessment, submission, negotiation and administration of your claim for you. They will also arrange examination of the damage to the the premises by engineers, architects, surveyors or contractors. It's basically designed to help take the stress out of the claim for the company owner whilst enabling them to concentrate in making alternative arrangements for the running of their business.

If you would like more information on this product or would like a quote, please contact us on 01249 463206 or visit our website www.advanceinsurance.co.uk