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Sarah Clements

Do I Need a Boat Safety Certificate?
Do I Need a Boat Safety Certificate? 1000 667 James Hallam

If you own a boat, then you have a responsibility to ensure it meets certain safety standards. A boat safety certificate can provide confirmation that your vessel is compliant with all relevant safety regulations.

What is a Boat Safety Certificate?

If your vessel has a boat safety certificate, it means that a qualified surveyor has inspected your boat to confirm that it meets various safety standards. Think of it as a boat equivalent of an MOT: It means your boat is safe for you, your passengers, and other waterway users.

To get your boat safety certificate, you will have to satisfy certain regulations concerning your boat’s:

  • Electrical systems, including wiring and batteries
  • Fuel systems, including gas systems
  • Fire extinguishers, alarms, and other fire safety equipment
  • Bilge pumps and drainage systems
  • Navigation lights, signals, and other emergency features

Who Needs a Boat Safety Certificate?

You will likely need a boat safety certificate if you want to take your boat on most UK canals, rivers, or waterways. And even if boat safety certificates are not required on your waterway, you may need to get a short-term visitor licence if you want to visit waterways where certificates are a prerequisite.

However, some boats are exempt from these requirements.

Boat Safety Certificate Exemptions

For example, you may not need a boat safety certificate if your boat does not have any gas, electrical, heating, or fuel systems.

Plus, a brand new boat may already comply with all relevant safety standards, and you may even receive a certificate when you purchase the boat.

However, if your boat is fully fitted, you will need to get a safety certificate after four years.

And if it is sail away, and you plan to fit it out yourself, then you will need to get a safety certificate after one year, even if you are still in the process of fitting out your boat.

How Much is a Boat Safety Certificate?

The amount you pay for a boat safety certificate will depend on the size and type of your boat, along with its condition. Different surveyors will charge different amounts, too.

You should expect to pay around £150 to £300 for the inspection and the certificate. But if the inspection reveals that your boat needs some additional work to meet the relevant safety standards, then the process will end up costing you some more.

How To Get a Boat Safety Certificate

To get a boat safety certificate, you will need to find a qualified examiner to survey your boat, and issue it a certificate.

It is important to choose a reputable examiner. Check the list of examiners registered to the official Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) to find a surveyor you can trust.

The BSS also lists the full requirements for your boat to get certified, along with the details of the examination and certification process.

Will a Boat Safety Certificate Affect My Insurance?

Some insurers may specify that you need a boat safety certificate as a condition of cover. If you are caught using a regulated waterway without a valid certificate, then it may invalidate your insurance.

As we mentioned above, a boat safety certificate acts as confirmation that your boat meets all relevant safety regulations. Certification proves that you take safety on the waterways seriously. So in some cases, a boat safety certificate could help you save money on the cost of cover, as it will demonstrate your commitment to safe boating.

Everard Insurance Brokers are the specialist marine trading division of accredited Lloyd’s brokers James Hallam Limited. We can help you ensure your boat meets all relevant safety standards, and we can help you access the specialist cover you need at a competitive price.

Find out more about our dedicated marine insurance services.

 

The Impact of Climate Change on Marine Insurance
The Impact of Climate Change on Marine Insurance 1000 562 James Hallam

A changing climate could create new risks for the marine insurance industry. This may affect the role that insurers play in covering marine businesses.

In this post we will examine the possible impact of climate change on marine insurance. We will also outline how you can ensure you continue to get the dedicated cover you need, no matter what the future may hold.

The Possible Impacts of Climate Change on Global Shipping

Some believe that a changing climate may:

  • Increase the frequency of severe weather at sea. Storm surges could also lead to coastal flooding, which could lead to disruption at ports.
  • Increase sea temperatures which could affect the speed of some currents. This could disrupt certain routes, while making others less reliable, or even more hazardous.
  • Melting Arctic ice has the potential to open new routes. Yet these routes could be hazardous and unreliable, as vessels would have to navigate around treacherous ice floes.

Any of these situations would create new risks for marine businesses, while also carrying a number of implications for the marine insurance industry.

How Could Climate Change Affect Marine Insurance?

Greater risks could lead to more claims. Insurers would have to contend with higher payouts, which would result in higher premiums for all.

To manage these risks, marine insurance companies could impose stricter coverage terms. They may turn to climate models to forecast possible extreme weather events, and to reassess the risks of certain routes. They may refuse to cover certain sea lanes and coastal areas if they become too unstable, or else charge a significant premium to cover the extreme risks.

On top of this, insurers may also start to specify climate-related exclusions in their policy. Or they may impose new risk management measures for policyholders. For example, there may be strict limits to the cover during any period with a high risk of extreme weather.

How to Keep Shipping Vessels Safe In A Changing World

There are a number of ways you can help to manage risks and continue to receive reliable cover, no matter what the future brings:

  • Stay on top of your maintenance routines, so that you will be able to depend on your vessels at all times.
  • Invest in crew training to help them deal with severe weather events, and other unpredictable situations.
  • Review your vessels’ navigation and safety equipment, and upgrade wherever necessary.
  • Use weather forecasting tools and other advanced apps to review your routes, and replan accordingly.

It will also help to notify your insurers of any changes you make to any of your vessels, and your operations. If you can evidence your risk management procedures, it may help to keep your marine insurance affordable in the face of rising premiums.

Get The Specialist Marine Insurance You Need From James Hallam

Everard Insurance Broker is the specialist marine division of accredited Lloyd’s broker James Hallam Limited.

If you are worried about how climate change may impact your operations, we are here to help. With our expert risk management support, we can show you how to manage your exposure. We can also help you access the specialist marine insurance you need to cover you for all risks, including any new or emerging risks linked to a changing climate.

Learn more about our dedicated marine insurance services.

 

Fixed Price P&I vs. Mutual P&I Clubs in Marine – What is the Difference?
Fixed Price P&I vs. Mutual P&I Clubs in Marine – What is the Difference? 1000 656 James Hallam

We recently published a guide to the vital role that protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs play in global shipping. P&I clubs help make the often-complex world of marine insurance more accessible and affordable for many operators.

In this post we will explore another insurance product that can help marine businesses of all sizes access the cover they need: Fixed-premium P&I facilities.

What is a Fixed-Premium P&I Facility?

With a fixed-premium P&I facility, shipowners and managers pay a pre-agreed premium that remains fixed for the entire policy year. They will not face any retrospective premium adjustments, and they will not have to make any extra payments on their policy for any reason. Instead, the price they initially agreed to pay will be the price they pay for the whole year.

Insurers can also tailor their fixed-premium P&I policies to meet the operator’s unique requirements. The policyholder can usually specify their cover limits, their deductibles, their specific trading areas, and their crew, passenger, or cargo liabilities.

Who is a Fixed Premium P&I Facility For?

The combination of a fixed price and tailored cover makes fixed-premium P&I facilities an attractive product for many operators. Fixed-premium P&I may be particularly useful for operators running smaller fleets, or those who trade in predictable, lower-risk environments. They can get precisely the level of cover they need at a set price, without having to pay for excessive cover they may never need.

However, fixed-premium P&I certainly is not for everyone. There may be some limits to the cover, making the policies unsuitable for operators who trade in higher-risk environments. For example, not all fixed-premium providers offer Freight, Demurrage, and Defence (FD&D) cover.

Fixed Price P&I vs. Mutual P&I Clubs – What is the Difference?

Mutual P&I Clubs, especially those within the International Groups (IG), operate on a different model. The most obvious difference is that their premiums are not fixed. But there are some key differences beyond this too.

Mutual P&I clubs are structured on a not-for-profit basis. They are owned by their shipowner members. These members elect a board, which oversees the club’s governance. Members also contribute premiums, which are known as “calls”. These premiums are added to a pool from which all members can draw to share the collective cost of claims.

This means that, in volatile years, members may need to pay extra premiums (known as “supplementary calls”) along with additional reserve contributions (known as “release calls”).

The mutual approach gives P&I clubs tremendous financial depth and operational reach. This includes access to the International Group Pooling Agreement, and one of the largest reinsurance programmes in the world.

Why Mutual Clubs Offer Far Higher Limits of Liability

Another big distinction between mutual clubs and fixed-premium facilities is the limit capacity.

Fixed‑premium facilities typically offer liability limits up to $100 million. Depending on the provider and the risk class, the liability limit can go as high as $500 million.

Compared to this, mutual clubs can offer almost unlimited liability protection. This is because their liability is backed by the mutual pool, to which all members contribute, along with some layers of overspill protection. They also have access to commercial reinsurers, if need be.

The Pros and Cons of Fixed-Premium P&I Facilities

As we mentioned above, fixed-premium facilities are ideal for operators running smaller fleets, or those who trade in predictable, lower-risk environments. They can guarantee flexible cover with tailored policies, budget certainty, and there is no mutuality risk. This means you will not be affected by major losses suffered by other members.

But due to the lower liability limits and the cover limitations, fixed-premium facilities are not suitable for all operators. Some operators will actively choose mutual clubs for the voting rights and policy influence. Plus, many charterers and ports require operators to be members of international groups, and will actively rule out operators involved with fixed price facilities.

Plus, mutual P&I insurers are far better suited for vessels with exceptionally high exposure, including:

  • Oil Tankers – Coastal states, charterparty contracts, and major oil companies typically require IG Club membership. This is because only mutual P&I Clubs offer the capacity needed to handle catastrophic environmental claims, as oil liabilities can run into the billions.
  • Cruise Liners – Cruise operators rely almost exclusively on IG clubs, as they offer a greater depth of cover for substantial passenger liability exposure, which can include cover for personal injuries, medical emergencies, mass casualty incidents, and repatriation.

How to Choose Is a Fixed Price P&I or Mutual P&I Club Is Right for You?

The choice often comes down to your priorities as an operator:

Choose Fixed‑Premium If You Want:

  • Cost certainty
  • Fast commercial responses
  • Tailored cover for a lower‑risk or restricted trading area
  • No exposure to mutual supplementary calls

Choose a Mutual P&I Club If You Need:

  • Very high limits of liability
  • Access to IG pooling and reinsurance
  • Compliance with tanker or cruise industry contractual requirements
  • Member‑driven governance and long‑term stability

For many small and medium‑sized operators, fixed premium is a strong and efficient solution.
For high‑risk sectors such as tankers, LNG/LPG carriers, and cruise liners, only mutual IG Clubs offer the required scale of cover.

We Can Help You Get Tailored Marine Insurance That Suits All Of Your Needs

Everard Insurance Brokers has long-standing relationships with both P&I Clubs and fixed-price insurers, ensuring clients receive tailored solutions that meet their operational needs.

Find out how we can help you today.

 

Types of Piracy at Sea & How to Mitigate Risk
Types of Piracy at Sea & How to Mitigate Risk 1000 577 James Hallam

Piracy is a significant threat for the global shipping industry. In this post we will examine some of the global piracy hotspots, before discussing some of the common types of piracy at sea. We will then explore how you can mitigate the risks of piracy for you, your vessel, your cargo, and your crew.

Highest Risk Piracy Hotspots

  • High risk areas: Gulf of Guinea (West Africa); Indian Ocean (East Africa); Gulf of Aden.
  • Medium risk areas: Strait of Malacca (Southeast Asia); Somalia (Horn of Africa); South China Sea.
  • Low risk areas: Caribbean Sea; Bay of Bengal.

If you trade in any of these areas, even if it is a “low risk” area, then piracy is a very real threat, and you will have to prepare accordingly.

Types of Piracy at Sea

All types of piracy have the same essential goal: To board your vessel for financial gain. Pirates will use a range of techniques to achieve this goal:

  • Surprise Attacks: Pirates may use small and fast skiffs to rapidly approach your vessel, before using ladders or grappling hooks to board. They may choose to attack at night, when it may be harder for the crew to detect their approach and respond to their boarding.
  • Armed Assault: Pirates will be armed with a range of weapons which they will use to intimidate your crew. They may try to take hostages, or they may attempt to steal your cargo directly. Or they may try to hijack your vessel, so that they can take it to a pirate-controlled port.
  • Comms Attack: Pirates may attempt to jam your vessel’s communication systems. This may make it harder for you to detect their approach. It would also leave your vessel isolated, and unable to call for help.
  • Coordinated Attack: Instead of using small and fast skiffs, pirates may instead surround your vessel with a number of larger boats. This will close off some escape routes while allowing them to attack from multiple sides. They may even disguise their pirate boat as a fishing or merchant vessel. This way, they can get close to your ship without raising suspicion, leaving you vulnerable to attack.

How To Mitigate The Risk of Piracy

There are a number of ways you can help reduce the risk of piracy, including:

  • Crew Training: Make sure your crew understands the risks of piracy, and how to identify any red flags that could indicate that an attack is imminent. You must also ensure that your crew knows how to respond to any potential threats, which should include sharing information with other vessels in the area.
  • Onboard Security Personnel: If the local and international laws allow it, some vessels hire extra armed security staff whenever they are sailing through areas where there is a known risk of piracy. While armed security personnel can help your vessel respond to a boarding attempt, they can also act as a strong deterrent. Pirates may be unlikely to attempt a boarding if they know to expect armed resistance.
  • Extra Security Tech: Investing in extra security can help prevent many boarding attempts. This can include razor wire, extra secure doors and windows, water cannons, and safe rooms for the crew. Automated radar systems, infrared cameras, long range acoustic devices (LRADs) and drones can help vessels spot potential threats far in advance, while a ship security alert system (SSAS) can automatically alert any shore-based authorities of growing threats or attacks.

You can read our full guide to preventing piracy at sea.

Does Your Marine Insurance Cover You For Piracy?

If your vessel will be travelling through a location with a risk of piracy, then you must ensure that your maritime insurance covers you for the increased risk. Your policy should include war risk insurance, which can protect against losses from acts of piracy, along with kidnap and ransom insurance (K&R) for you and your crew.

Everard Insurance Brokers is the specialist marine division of accredited Lloyd’s broker James Hallam Limited. We can help you secure comprehensive protection against piracy and related risks, so you and your crew can effectively respond to any incident at sea.

Learn more about our dedicated marine insurance services.

 

What Is Latent Defects Insurance and Who Needs It?
What Is Latent Defects Insurance and Who Needs It? 1000 562 James Hallam

Latent defects insurance is essentially cover for any structural issues with a newly-built property that may take a while to become apparent. In this post we will explain what sort of latent defects could affect a property, before exploring how latent defects insurance can cover property developers and other parties for these risks.

What Is A Patent Defect?

During the construction process, a surveyor will identify any “normal” defects. These are known as patent defects. A building warranty will provide a certain liability period for these defects.

What Is A Latent Defect?

A latent defect is an issue with a building’s structure that has not yet been identified. These structural issues may be so deep-seated that, at first, not even a thorough building survey will discover that anything is amiss.

Any number of factors can result in a latent defect, from the materials used in construction, to the quality of the workmanship. As such, latent defects can arise at any stage of the construction process, or indeed beyond.

It can take months, or even years, for a latent defect to reveal itself. This can be hugely problematic for property developers, as you might find yourself dealing with a major issue that simply did not seem possible when you first acquired the property.

Common Examples of Latent Defects

  • Inadequate groundwork or foundations, resulting in subsidence.
  • Weak concrete, or misapplied reinforcements, allowing for movement and causing cracks and other damage.
  • Ineffective basement tanking leading to water penetration.
  • Lack of wall ties and other structural features within the cavities, leading to cracks and other structural issues.

What Is Latent Defects Insurance, and What Does It Cover?

Latent defects insurance provides cover for any defects that were not detected during the original site inspection, and the cover will extend beyond the building warranty defects liability period.

In short, if there is any structural damage that appears in the months or years following a construction or renovation project, latent defects insurance can cover the cost of repairs or rebuilds. It can also cover some additional costs, such as the removal of debris, and even temporary accommodation for the owners or occupiers.

However, a latent defects insurance policy will usually only cover a building’s structural integrity. It may not cover any latent issues with the building’s plumbing, electricals, heating system, or any fixtures and fittings.

Who Needs Latent Defects Insurance?

The owner or occupier of the property will ultimately benefit from the cover. However, this does not necessarily mean that they will be the ones to purchase the insurance policy. Often, a latent defects insurance policy will be transferred to a property owner after they purchase the residential or commercial property.

With this in mind, here are some parties who may benefit from purchasing latent defects insurance:

  • Property Developers – For a property developer, latent defects insurance offers protection for their commercial or residential property investments. If they ever sell the property, they can pass on any cover they have purchased to the new owners.
  • Contractors – Anyone involved in the planning, construction, or renovation of a building may need to purchase a building warranty, which should specify a defects insurance period for both patent and latent defects.
  • Mortgage Lenders – Just like property developers, mortgage lenders and third party funders may take out latent defects insurance to protect their investment.

How To Ensure You Have The Right Level of Latent Defects Cover

The cost of repairs or rebuilds following structural issues can be considerable. It is important to ensure that your defects insurance will cover you for all of these costs, along with any other expenses that may arise.

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals who are committed to protecting your property.

We can advise you on the potential costs of any structural issues with your property, and we can help you access the right level of latent defects cover to protect your investment.

Find out more about our Real Estate Insurance and get in touch for a free quote today.

 

What is Professional Negligence, and is it Covered by Indemnity Insurance?
What is Professional Negligence, and is it Covered by Indemnity Insurance? 1000 666 James Hallam

In this post, we’ll explore that professional negligence is, when it can happen and whether professional indemnity insurance can help cover you and your business against claims.

What is Professional Negligence?

Professional negligence essentially means that an individual has failed to carry out their responsibilities to the required professional standard. It can also mean that a professional has breached their duty of care.

In either case, as a result of this poor conduct, a client, customer, or other third party individual may experience a financial loss, or damage to their property, or they may sustain a personal injury.

In such a scenario, the injured party may choose to make a claim of professional negligence. For this claim to be successful, there must be clear evidence that the service they received did not meet the required or expected standards of the profession.

Examples of Professional Negligence

Here are some examples of situations that may result in a professional negligence claim:

  • An accountant makes an error in a tax calculation, resulting in a penalty for a client.
  • A financial advisor offers bad investment advice, and their client makes a loss.
  • A solicitor offers poor legal advice, or they are found to have a conflict of interest.
  • A personal trainer fails to enquire about a client’s prior injuries, resulting in a serious injury during a session.

What is Indemnity Insurance?

Professional indemnity insurance can cover your business for a range of professional mistakes. This can include allegations of professional negligence, and allegations that you have breached your duty of care.

In the event of a professional negligence claim, your professional indemnity insurance can cover any legal fees that may arise, along with any compensation the injured party may be due.

Common Exclusions to Indemnity Insurance Policies

A professional indemnity insurance policy will usually outline a number of exclusions where the cover will not apply. These may include:

  • Intentional acts – The policy will cover you for claims of negligence, but not for claims arising from criminal acts, or intentional
  • Known circumstances – If the policyholder was aware of circumstances that could result in a claim, then they would have to disclose this situation when taking out the policy. If they do not disclose these known circumstances, then any subsequent claims may not be covered.
  • Contractual liabilities – If a liability would not exist without a contract, then an indemnity insurance policy may not cover any claims involving breach of this contract. For example, it would not cover a penalty clause for the late delivery of a project, if it is found that the policyholder agreed to this clause in their contract.

The professional insurance policy may also exclude certain types of damages on the assumption that they would be covered by other liability policies. For example, claims for physical injury or property damage may be covered by a general liability policy, while costs arising from data loss may be covered by cyber liability insurance.

Protecting You And Your Business Against Professional Negligence Claims

As we have seen, professional indemnity insurance can protect your business against professional negligence claims. However, it is important to ensure you have the right level of indemnity cover for your business.

It is also important that you get the right type of indemnity policy for your business.

Types of Professional Indemnity Insurance

Indemnity insurance policies can either provide cover “in the aggregate” or for “any one claim”.

If your policy covers you in the aggregate, then the cover limit will apply to all claims made against you in the policy period.

If the policy covers you for any one claim, you will have the same policy cover limit for an unlimited number of claims in the policy period.

This distinction is important, as a single professional negligence claim could max out your cover limit. If your policy only covers you in the aggregate, then your insurance would not cover you for any subsequent claims.

Read our full guide to choosing the right level of indemnity insurance for your business.

We Can Help You Protect Your Business Against Professional Negligence Claims

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals who care about protecting your business.

We will take the time to get to know you and your business, so that we can advise you on your specific business insurance and regulatory requirements. We can then help you get the right level of professional indemnity insurance for your business.

Learn more about our professional risks insurance services.

 

How To Insure a Second Home
How To Insure a Second Home 1000 667 James Hallam

A standard home insurance policy may not be suitable for your second home. To get the cover you need, you may need to purchase a dedicated second home insurance policy.

Why Standard Home Insurance May Not Cover Your Second Home

Home insurance policies will only usually only cover occupied properties. If a home is unoccupied for long periods, then it may be more vulnerable to fire, theft, or vandalism.

For one reason or another, it is likely that your second home will be unoccupied for extended periods throughout the year. This means you will need a separate second home insurance policy if you want any cover at all.

There are other reasons you might need specialist second home insurance, depending on how you use it:

  • Is it a renovation project, which you later intend to sell?
  • If you only live in it for a few months of the year, who lives in it the rest of the time? Do you let it to tenants or holidaymakers? Or do other members of your family live there?

Any of these situations will create certain risks that may not be covered by a standard home insurance policy.

Do You Need Second Home Insurance?

There is no law saying that you must get second home insurance for any properties that are not your main property. But that said, mortgage lenders will require you to get some level of buildings insurance for any property you acquire. And even if you do not work with a third party funder, second home insurance will provide essential protection for your property investment.

Second home insurance is particularly useful if you plan to let the property to tenants. If any of these tenants injures themselves on your property, your second home insurance policy could include some liability cover, which can help meet any legal fees or medical expenses that may arise. Plus, your second home insurance can include a level of rental income protection.

What Does Second Home Insurance Cover?

A second home insurance policy can include:

  • Buildings Insurance – Usually, mortgage lenders will specify that you need some level of buildings insurance as a minimum. This will cover the property’s structure, along with any fixtures and fittings, for damage from fire, storms, floods, vandalism, and other specified events.
  • Contents Insurance – This will cover the property’s contents, including furniture and personal possessions, for loss or damage from specified events.
  • Liability Insurance – This can cover any accidents or injuries that may occur on the property. This form of cover is particularly important if you are renovating the property, as it can cover contractors for onsite injuries. Or, as we mentioned above, it can also cover any tenants for certain accidents and the resulting costs.
  • Other Optional Extras – Above, we mentioned how your second home insurance can include some rental income protection. Depending on how you use your second home, other optional areas of cover can include accidental damage cover, home emergency cover, and cover for personal possessions while you are not on the premises.

How To Insure a Second Home

Many insurers offer specialist second home insurance policies for high net worth individuals.

The level of cover you get, and the premium you pay, will depend on a number of factors. These will include:

  • The property’s location (as different areas will have different flood risks and crime rates)
  • The property’s rebuild costs
  • The way you plan to use the property
  • Renovation projects
  • Rental arrangements
  • Long periods of unoccupancy

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals who specialise in protecting your assets. Talk to us about your second home, and how you intend to use it, and we can help you get the right level of second home insurance to protect your investment against all risks.

Find out how we can help you today.

 

Most Common Travel Insurance Claims
Most Common Travel Insurance Claims 1000 667 James Hallam

In this post we will list some of the most common travel insurance claims. This will include claims that customers make on their travel insurance, along with claims they make against travel agents and tour operators.

What Are The Most Common Travel Insurance Claims?

Common travel insurance claims include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Travel cancellation
  • Trip curtailment
  • Missed or delayed transport
  • Lost or damaged luggage

We’ll look at each of these in more detail below, including how common they are and how they might affect travel agents.

Medical Expenses Insurance Claims

According to data from Which?, medical expenses account for over 50% of all travel insurance claims. This is to cover treatment for illnesses or injuries travellers sustain abroad. Medical claims can be high, occasionally as much as a million pounds or more for a complex medical case which includes air repatriation.

Travellers may make a claim under their own personal travel insurance policy, which should specify a certain level of medical cover. If they are travelling to a location where healthcare is expensive, or if they are planning certain high-risk activities, then they may choose to take out a higher limit of medical cover.

However, travellers can claim damages and compensation against their travel agents or tour operators too. If you sell a package travel arrangement, then you may be liable for any injuries or illness the customer may sustain caused by the negligence of you or your suppliers.

Travel Cancellation and Trip Curtailment Claims

The second most common travel insurance claim, accounting for over 25% of all total claims. If a customer must cancel their trip due to an illness, a family emergency, or a natural disaster, then travel cancellation insurance can cover the lost expenditure.

Travellers may also claim for trip curtailment, should they need to cut their trip short due to an emergency or an unexpected event. With trip curtailment insurance, travellers can get reimbursed for any unused portions of their trip, along with any additional expenses they may incur through travelling home early.

Missed or Delayed Transport Claims

If industrial action or inclement weather delays travel, or causes a traveller to miss a connection, then their travel insurance can cover the costs of any alternative transport or accommodation they need to book. Some policies will even cover them for food and drink they purchase while they wait for a delayed connection.

Lost or Damaged Luggage Claims

Most travel insurance policies will provide a certain level of baggage insurance, which provides cover for any lost, stolen, or damaged bags or personal belongings. Customers may choose to extend this cover if they plan to travel with high-value items, or if they are visiting an area with relatively high crime rates.

Can Travel Agents And Tour Operators Be Liable For Claims?

As we have seen, some of the most common travel insurance claims will be covered by a traveller’s personal insurance policy. Yet travel agents and tour operators may be liable for certain claims, if they or their suppliers have made mistakes.

Customers may choose to make other types of claims against travel agents too. If something goes wrong with the booking, or if they are dissatisfied with the trip, they may take action against the travel agent or tour operator that sold them the experience.

Professional indemnity insurance can cover travel agents and tour operators for these sort of claims. This can cover any compensation the customer may be due, along with any legal fees that may arise as a result of the dispute.

How To Ensure You Have All The Cover You Need As a Travel Agent

It should be clear by now that travel insurance claims can get complicated. Travel is inherently risky, and if something goes wrong, it may not be immediately clear just who is liable. So, how can you ensure you have all the cover you need for any claims that may be made against your travel agency?

This is where an insurance broker can prove invaluable. An experienced insurance broker will take the time to get to know your travel agency, the types of trips you sell, and the sort of customers you sell them to. They can then help you understand all the risks your agency faces, before helping you access the bespoke travel insurance you need to cover these risks.

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with access to a hand-picked selection of A-rated insurance providers. We provide a one stop shop service for the travel industry, and over 700 travel agents and tour operators depend on us for dedicated business insurance services. Also, we act as the trusted insurance advisor to ABTA and AITO.

Find out how we can help you today.

 

Supporting Friends of Horsey Seals: A Collaborative Approach to Specialist ATV Insurance
Supporting Friends of Horsey Seals: A Collaborative Approach to Specialist ATV Insurance 1369 672 James Hallam

A Heartwarming Partnership in Action

We’re delighted to share a heartwarming story that perfectly captures what can be achieved when collaboration, understanding and a little determination come together.

Protecting Seals During Pupping Season

One of our valued insurance partners, ERS, has created a fantastic video showcasing the incredible work of the volunteers at Friends of Horsey Seals. The charity works tirelessly to protect the local seal population, particularly during the busy pupping season, when extra care and vigilance are essential.

Why the Quad Bike Is Essential

A key part of their work relies on a quad bike, which allows volunteers to transport vital equipment across the beach and safely assist seals when needed. Without it, reaching the animals quickly and efficiently would be a real challenge.

Watch this heartwarming video

Finding the Right ATV Insurance Solution

From our perspective, the risk didn’t immediately sit within the typical scope of our agricultural ATV/RTV scheme. However, rather than stopping there, Chelsea Chatfield from our Personal Lines team took the time to truly understand the charity’s needs and the importance of being able to use the ATV on the beach in support of their work.

A Team Effort to Deliver the Right Outcome

That understanding opened the door to a productive conversation with ERS underwriters. By working together, we were able to agree suitable terms and ensure the charity had the cover they needed to continue their invaluable efforts.

It was especially rewarding to hear Friends of Horsey Seals personally thank Chelsea during the marketing call, sharing how thrilled they were with the support provided. Having the ATV properly insured will make a meaningful difference throughout the pupping season, enabling volunteers to protect the seals more effectively and with greater ease.

A special well done also goes to our Personal Lines Schemes team in Ipswich. Claire Moore, Team Manager, highlights that the team pride themselves on taking the time to understand each customer’s unique needs and delivering a friendly, personal service that builds trust and long-lasting relationships.

Here to Help with Your ATV Insurance Needs

If you have any ATV insurance requirements, our team would be delighted to help. Get in touch to find out how we can support you with your specialist or non-standard ATV insurance.

T: 01473 343390

E: plnew@jameshallam.co.uk

 

Beach Hut Fires: Common Causes and How to Reduce the Risk
Beach Hut Fires: Common Causes and How to Reduce the Risk 1000 648 James Hallam

Reports of beach hut fires often make the news. For example, in May 2025, firefighters in Bournemouth responded to a fire affecting nine beach huts along with the surrounding cliffs.

In this post we will examine some of the common causes of beach hut fires, and explore how you can reduce the risk.

What Causes Beach Hut Fires?

There are a number of common causes of beach hut fires in the UK, including:

  • Faulty equipment can cause beach hut fires. If the hut is fitted with a stove or heating facilities, then any issues with this equipment could ultimately lead to a fire.
  • Carelessness is another common cause of beach hut fires. In May 2025, Essex County Fire services responded to a beach hut fire that they suspect was caused by a hot BBQ placed in a nearby bin.
  • Some beach hut fires are the result of arson. Arsonists may intentionally target beach huts because, due to the lack of security, they feel it is unlikely that they will get caught.
  • A fire in one hut can easily spread to neighbouring huts because beach huts are made out of wood and other combustible materials. Spread from other huts and other fires are another common reason for beach hut fires.

How To Reduce The Risks of Beach Hut Fires

There are some key actions you can take to help reduce the risk of beach hut fires:

  • Keep your hut in good condition. In one suspected arson attack, authorities pointed out that only one of the affected huts was currently occupied. This may mean that arsonists, vandals, and other criminals will be less likely to target your hut if they think it is occupied. So, keep your hut clean and in good condition, and it may help deter opportunistic criminals.
  • Stay on top of maintenance and repairs. If your hut has cooking or heating facilities, be sure to service them regularly, and take care of any necessary repairs as soon as you spot a fault. Keeping them clean can also help prevent fires from spreading.
  • Practise basic fire safety. If you are having a bonfire or a BBQ, keep any flames or embers as far away from your hut as possible, and ensure that the fire is fully extinguished before you leave. It may also be a good idea to keep basic fire safety equipment in your hut, such as a fire blanket or an extinguisher. This way, you can quickly address any fires that do break out before they have a chance to spread.

Make Sure Your Insurance Covers You For Beach Hut Fires

Unfortunately, if arsonists target your hut, or if a fire breaks out in a nearby hut while you are not around, then there is really nothing you can do. However, while it will not prevent fires from breaking out in the first place, comprehensive beach hut insurance will at least cover you for any fire damage.

In the event of a fire, your beach hut insurance policy could cover the costs of any necessary repairs. It could also cover you for the loss of any equipment or personal belongings that happened to be inside the hut during the incident.

At James Hallam, we provide a specialist beach hut insurance scheme and are experts in this market. Our dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals are committed to protecting your beach hut at a competitive price.

Learn more about our specialist beach hut insurance and get a free quote today.

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