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Sarah Clements

How Much is Quad Bike Insurance?
How Much is Quad Bike Insurance? 500 334 James Hallam

Quad bike insurance may also be referred to as ATV insurance. Like all insurance policies, the amount you pay for your cover will depend on a number of factors, including the way you use your quad bike, and the specific type of vehicle you drive.

In this post we will outline some of the factors that can affect the price of a quad bike insurance policy.

How Much Does Quad Bike Insurance Cost?

It is hard to give a ballpark figure for the price of a quad bike insurance policy, as the cost can vary greatly from person to person. Below we will explore the key factors that can influence the price of your policy. If you would like a free quote for ATV cover, be sure to get in touch.

What Can Affect The Price of Quad Bike Insurance?

Your Personal Circumstances

Insurers will take your personal circumstances into consideration when calculating the cost of your cover. Among other things, they will factor in your age, your driving history, and your location.

Younger drivers tend to get involved in more accidents than older and more experienced drivers, so the younger you are, the more you are likely to pay for your cover.

Similarly, if you have a history of insurance claims, or if you have any spent or unspent convictions on your licence, your insurer may consider you a higher risk driver, and increase the price of your policy accordingly.

Your location can also affect the cost of your cover. Quad bikes and ATVs are prime targets for thieves, as they can fetch a good price on the second-hand market. Vehicle theft tends to be more prevalent in certain areas. So, if you are based in a location with high crime rates, it could result in higher premiums.

The Type of ATV You Drive

The more expensive and powerful your quad bike or ATV, the more it will cost to cover.

This is because thieves may be more likely to target high-end quad bikes and ATVs. Also, powerful vehicles may be more likely to get involved in accidents. And if they are damaged, they may cost more to repair.

How You Use Your Quad Bike

Your mileage can affect the cost of your cover. The more you use your quad bike, the more likely it is that you will be involved in an accident. So, the higher your mileage, the higher your premiums.

Insurers will also want to know whether you will be using your quad bike off-road, such as for agricultural purposes, or whether you will be taking it onto public roads. Off-road quad bike insurance usually costs less than on-road insurance, as it does not need to include any cover for third parties.

Where You Store Your Quad Bike

As we have already mentioned, quad bikes and ATVs can be a prime target for thieves. If you can take steps to secure your quad bike when not in use, it can bring down the cost of your cover.

Storing your quad bike or ATV in a locked garage, ideally with CCTV cover and automatic floodlights, can deter thieves and lower your premiums. On a similar note, installing alarms, trackers, or immobilisers on your quad bike can also get you a discount.

Types of Quad Bike Insurance

We mentioned above that you can choose between on-road and off-road cover. In either case, you will have a choice of different levels of cover. And obviously, the more substantial cover you get, the more you will pay.

  • On-road Quad Bike Insurance – You will be able to choose between third-party only cover, third party with fire and theft, and comprehensive cover. Optional extras might include breakdown cover, personal accident cover, cover for driving abroad, and cover for certain bits of kit, such as your helmet and leathers.
  • Off-road Quad Bike Insurance – The cost of this will depend on how you use your quad bike, and how often you use it. If you use your quad bike or ATV for agricultural work, for example, you might want personal accident cover, and cover for certain equipment and accessories. If you use your quad bike for sport or leisure purposes, you might need specialist track day cover, and cover for driving abroad, should you take part in international events.

Get The Quad Bike Cover You Need At The Best Possible Price

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

While historically it has not been easy to insure quad bikes and ATVs because only a limited number of insurers provide this cover, it is a market where we have extensive experience. We provide specialist ATV insurance for clients who use their ATVs in connection with agricultural work or shoots. We also provide a specialist scheme to BASC members giving them additional benefits.

Learn more about our dedicated ATV and quad bike insurance services.

What Does D&O Insurance Cover?
What Does D&O Insurance Cover? 500 334 James Hallam

Directors and Officers insurance – also known as D&O insurance – is specialist cover for any claims made against your business’s directors and officers.

What Does Directors and Officers Insurance Cover?

D&O insurance covers legal fees, and any compensation that may be due, for claims made against directors and officers for alleged wrongful acts.

This might include allegations of:

  • Neglect
  • Error
  • Trading offences
  • Misleading statements
  • Breach of trust or duty
  • Data breaches

Real World Examples of D&O Claims

Below are some examples of the sort of situations that might result in allegations of wrongdoing, which would necessitate D&O insurance cover for legal fees and compensation:

Unfair dismissal
An employee may disagree with a dismissal, and may take legal action against the business as a result. In 2016, the CEO of the NYTimes faced a multimillion-dollar class action lawsuit from a number of employees for alleged discriminatory hiring practices.

Breach of trust
If a business’s shareholders or investors believe that a director or officer is not being transparent, they may take legal action to recover their investment. In 2016, the GoPro management faced legal action from their investors, who alleged that the company was misleading them about certain sales figures.

Misappropriation of funds
An unspecified nonprofit organisation received a large donation from a private donor. This donor expected the nonprofit to use the funds to aid impoverished children. Instead, they used the investment to expand their premises. The donor took legal action against the nonprofit’s director and trustees for misappropriation of funds.

Fraud
For years, Enron’s directors and officers engaged in fraudulent accounting practices, which ultimately bankrupted the company. Following extensive lawsuits against the company’s executives, shareholders ultimately received over $7 billion in settlements.

Do I Need D&O Insurance?

If your business has directors and officers, then they may be held personally liable for any alleged wrongdoing. As we have seen, these allegations can come from a range of sources, including shareholders, investors, regulators, employees, and other third parties.

Plus, many D&O insurance claims are for alleged wrongful acts. Even if the director or officer feels that they have acted honestly, and in their company’s best interests, they may still face legal action.

D&O insurance can cover all of the legal fees associated with these claims, along with any compensation that might be due. Without D&O insurance, your business’s directors and officers may be personally liable for covering these expenses. This could compromise their position in the company, which may jeopardise your business as a whole.

What is Not Covered By a D&O Insurance Policy?

Some D&O insurance policies may include cover for employment practices liability as standard. Though some insurers will offer it as an optional extra. This is dedicated cover for claims from your employees for discrimination, such as sexual harassment, unfair dismissal, or failure to promote.

D&O insurance will cover claims made against individual directors and officers for alleged wrongful acts. It will not cover claims made against your business as a whole. For this, you will need additional forms of business insurance, such as employer’s liability cover, public liability cover, or product liability cover.

Dedicated Directors & Officers Insurance Services From James Hallam

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

We can advise you on your business insurance requirements, and help you find a D&O insurance solution that gives you all the cover you need at the best price.

Learn more about our professional risks insurance services.

 

Servicing Sailing Equipment for the Upcoming Season
Servicing Sailing Equipment for the Upcoming Season 500 375 James Hallam

As the sailing season approaches, it is important to ensure your vessel, and all of your equipment, is in good working order.

In this post we will outline all of the key maintenance tasks you should undertake to prepare for the upcoming season.

The Importance of Spring Maintenance for Sail Boats and Sailing Equipment

Dedicate a bit of time to some key maintenance tasks, and you can look forward to an entire season of smooth sailing. Regular maintenance will reduce your downtime while helping you save money on repair costs in the long-term.

Of course, it is best to think of boat maintenance as an ongoing commitment, rather than an annual task. Be sure to also read our guide to boat maintenance in winter, and our guide to where you should store your boat out of season.

Does Insurance Require Sailboats to be Serviced?

Your marine insurance policy might also require you to stay on top of certain maintenance tasks. For example, it might stipulate that your boat’s rigging must always be in good, seaworthy condition. So, if you do not commit to regular maintenance, you could inadvertently invalidate your policy.

Key Sailing Equipment to Check

  • Hull and decks
  • Rigging
  • Sails
  • Engine
  • Electricals
  • Safety equipment

Inspect the Hull and Clean The Decks

Thoroughly inspect every inch of your boat’s exterior, including the keel, the rudder, and all through-hull fittings. Look for scratches, gouges, abrasions, and repair anything you find.

If necessary, apply a new coat of antifoul or polish, and replace your anodes if they appear worn or corroded.

Clean your boat’s deck using dedicated cleaning products for each area. Polish your metalwork, and check the seals for leaks. Also inspect your deck equipment, including the stanchions, lifelines, chains, and the anchor system. Give all winches a clean and a grease, and test all hatches, windows, and portlights for leaks.

Check Your Sails and Rigging

Depending on where you stored your boat and your sails over the winter, you may need to clean your sails. In any case, the springtime before the sailing season begins is a good opportunity to check your sails once again for any signs of wear and tear.

Check your rigging for any weak spots, or signs of fraying or corrosion. Pay particular attention to the split pins, the shackles, and the wire guards. You may wish to hire a professional rigger for a dedicated pre-season check, to ensure that everything is working like it should.

Engine and Electrical Checks

First, give your boat’s engine a thorough visual inspection, checking for any signs of rust, corrosion, or damage. You may want to hire a specialist mechanic to give your engine a dedicated servicing.

Even if you do not get your engine serviced, you can clean it, check the fluid levels, and top up where necessary. You can also use this as an opportunity to stock up on engine spares, including fuel, coolant, and oil filters, so that you will have reliable backups once the season begins.

Make sure you record any engine maintenance you carry out in your ship’s log.

Finally, check all of your boat’s electrical components and appliances, including your lights, pumps, and gauging. Check all implements for signs of corrosion, and all wiring for signs of wear.

Check Your Safety Equipment

Many items of safety equipment have use-by dates. Pre-season is a good time to ensure that everything onboard is still in code and in good condition, and to replace anything that needs replacing.

Key safety equipment to check includes your life rafts, lifejackets, flares, and radio beacons and transmitters.

Are You Insured For This Year’s Sailing Season?

Everard Insurance Brokers are the specialist marine trading division of accredited Lloyd’s brokers James Hallam Limited. We can help you ensure you have the insurance you need for this year’s sailing season, and beyond.

Find out more about our dedicated marine insurance services.

How Much is Insurance For a Pub?
How Much is Insurance For a Pub? 500 332 James Hallam

This post is an essential introduction to insurance for pubs. We will assess how much you might expect to pay for your pub insurance, along with some of the factors that can affect the price of your policy. We will also outline some key insurance products you should consider if you own and run a pub.

Average Annual Insurance Costs For Pubs

According to research from a major price comparison site, pub insurance in the UK costs an average of £3,800 per year.

However, many factors can affect the price of pub insurance, which means that the cost of cover can vary greatly on a pub-by-pub basis.

What Affects The Price of Pub Insurance?

Your pub’s location
If your pub is located on a flood plain, or if it is located in an area with high crime rates, then it will likely drive up the cost of your cover.

Your pub’s size, and turnover
The bigger your pub, and the more money you make, then the more you will have to pay for insurance. The size of your business can affect the sort of risks you are exposed to, along with the costs associated with recovering from these risks. Plus, the bigger your workforce, the higher your premiums.

How you run your pub
You may have to pay more for cover if you stay open late, as the more time customers spend on your premises, the greater the risks for them, your staff, and your property. You will also have to pay more for cover if you serve food, and if you put on live events at your pub.

The level of cover you choose
You will be able to choose from a range of cover options, and you will be able to specify how much of an excess you pay.

What Types of Insurance Do Pubs Need?

  • Employer’s Liability. If you employ any staff, even if it is just a single employee, then you have a legal responsibility to get employer’s liability insurance. This covers your staff for any illnesses or injuries they may sustain on the job.
  • Public Liability. This covers your customers, along with any other members of the public, such as tradesmen or delivery drivers, for any injuries they may sustain while in or around your premises.
  • Buildings Cover. This covers your pub’s physical premises for damages associated with fire, floods, storms, break-ins, and vandalism.
  • Contents Cover. This is cover for any goods or equipment you store in your pub, including furniture. You may need additional cover for your stock, and there may be limits for the amount of cover you get for cash you keep on your premises.
  • Product Liability. This can cover your legal fees, along with any compensation that might be due, if a customer claims they developed an illness, or an allergic reaction, having consumed food or drinks prepared or sold on your premises.
  • Business Interruption Insurance. If an insured event, such as a fire or a flood, means you are unable to open your pub for a while, business interruption insurance can cover your overheads while you recover. Pub owners may also wish to get dedicated loss of licence insurance.

Who is Responsible For Pub Insurance?

The pub’s landlord – that is, the person who owns the building – is responsible for arranging building insurance.

The pub tenant is responsible for arranging contents insurance, and certain other forms of cover. For example, if the tenant is considered an employer under a licencing agreement, they may be responsible for arranging employer’s and public liability insurance.

Please note that, if you live on your pub premises, then your home insurance policy will not give you all of the cover you need. You will need specialist pub insurance to cover you for all the risks associated with running such a business.

Get The Pub Insurance You Need From James Hallam

As an independent Lloyd’s broker, we have been providing dedicated insurance solutions to hundreds of pubs and bars across the UK since 1982. With our specialist Touchstone scheme, we can design a pub insurance package to match your unique requirements, whether you run a traditional pub in a small village, a high street wine bar, or a pop-up bar at events.

Learn more about our bespoke insurance services for pubs.

 

Do I Need Insurance For a Beach Hut?
Do I Need Insurance For a Beach Hut? 500 306 James Hallam

If you have invested in a beach hut, then it is essential that you get adequate insurance cover. Whether you rent your beach hut, or own it outright, and whether you use your beach hut for business or for pleasure, specialist beach hut insurance can give you cover for a range of risks.

Why You Need Beach Hut Insurance

As they are located directly on the seafront, beach huts can be exposed to harsh weather conditions all year round. Through the winter months, this can include high winds, freezing temperatures, and heavy precipitation.

Also, as beach huts are typically made out of wood, they are vulnerable to fire.

Finally, if you store high value items in your beach hut, there is the added risk of theft.

Insurance can cover you for all of these risks, and more.

Can Home Insurance Cover my Beach Hut?

However, your standard property insurance is unlikely to extend to your beach hut. In fact, the risks for beach huts can be so high that some insurers may be unlikely to cover them at all. This is why you will need specialist beach hut insurance to ensure you get all the cover you need.

What Type of Insurance do I Need for a Beach Hut?

Some local councils may stipulate that you need certain types of cover in place for your beach hut. For more information, contact your local council. In our experience, many councils require you to have public liability insurance up to £5 million as part of your licence. For this reason, even if you don’t own the beach hut or do not want to insure the building, we provide an option where you can take out an insurance policy covering just the contents and public liability.

What Does Beach Hut Insurance Cover?

  • Property cover – Cover for structural damage as a result of storms, flooding, or other severe weather events. It can also include cover for damages resulting from break-ins or vandalism.
  • Contents cover – Your beach hut insurance policy can include cover for any items you store within your beach hut, including furniture and sport equipment.
  • Public liability cover – If you rent out your beach hut to holidaymakers, or even if you invite guests over, public liability insurance can cover members of the public for any injuries they may sustain in or around your beach hut.

How Much Is Beach Hut Insurance?

The amount you pay for your beach hut insurance will depend on a number of factors:

  • Your hut’s location. You may have to pay more for your insurance if your hut is located in an area that is prone to flooding, or if it is in an area with high crime rates.
  • How you use your hut. Do you use it yourself, or do you rent it out to others? Do you use it purely for leisure purposes, or do you run a business from your beach hut? All of these factors, and more, can affect the price of your policy.
  • The size of your hut. A small hut will cost a lot less to insure than a large hut fitted with plumbing and cooking facilities.

You may be able to get a discount on your beach hut insurance if you:

  • Are a member of a beach hut association.
  • Take out a combined policy (i.e. buildings and contents cover on the same policy).

Get Specialist Beach Hut Insurance From James Hallam

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals who specialise in getting you the cover you need at a competitive price.

We provide a specialist beach hut insurance scheme and are experts in this market. You will deal directly with our dedicated team, whether you are a new or existing customer, and in the event of a claim.

We will ensure you get full cover for your beach hut, no matter its size or location, and no matter how you use it.

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

Do I Need Insurance For My Shepherd’s Hut?
Do I Need Insurance For My Shepherd’s Hut? 500 334 James Hallam

If you own a shepherd’s hut, or you are considering buying one, then it is absolutely vital that you get specialist shepherd’s hut insurance.

In this post we will explain why you need shepherd’s hut insurance, and discuss what a good policy should cover.

Will My Home Insurance Cover My Shepherd’s Hut?

Your standard home insurance policy may not extend to covering your shepherd’s hut. If the hut is not in your garden – if it is located on a separate plot of land that you either own or rent – then your home insurance certainly will not give you the cover you need.

Why You Need Shepherd’s Hut Insurance

A shepherd’s hut is a significant investment of time and money. If the unthinkable were to happen – such as a fire, a flood, or a break-in – then good insurance cover would give you some much needed protection, and the settlement you need to bounce back.

Plus, if you rent your shepherd’s hut to holidaymakers, you will face a range of risks that will not be covered by a standard property insurance policy. You may be liable for any injuries sustained on your property, for example.

For these reasons, only specialist shepherd’s hut insurance will give you the cover you need.

What To Look For In A Shepherd’s Hut Insurance Policy

  • Cover for your shepherd’s hut building, along with its contents. A good policy should also cover the hut’s chassis, and any other structures or features you add, such as awnings, firepits, showers, toilets, or hot tubs.
  • Cover for letting your shepherd’s hut, if necessary. This might include public liability insurance, which will cover you should any of your guests have an accident while renting your shepherd’s hut.
  • If you do let your hut to holidaymakers, you might also look for loss of letting income insurance. This way, if you are ever unable to let out your shepherd’s hut due to an insured event, you can be covered for any shortcomings in your income.

Important Things To Tell Your Insurer When Taking Out Shepherd’s Hut Insurance

  • The amount you paid for your shepherd’s hut, along with any additional structures, fixtures, or features you added. This will help your insurer calculate the building sum insured, which will determine how much you pay for your policy.
  • The total cost of all of your shepherd’s hut’s contents, including outdoor furniture.
  • How you use your shepherd’s hut. Is it for your own personal use, or do you rent it out to holidaymakers? If so, how often do you rent it out?
  • Your hut’s location. Is it in your garden, or on a separate piece of land? This will determine your risk profile, as a hut in an isolated field may be more vulnerable to theft, and more exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Get Specialist Shepherd’s Hut Insurance From James Hallam

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals who specialise in getting you the cover you need at a competitive price.

We will ensure you get full cover for your shepherd’s hut, whether you use it as a home office, a holiday let, or just your own private getaway. We will cover you whether you keep your shepherd’s hut on your own land, or on a separate plot of land.

Learn more about our specialist shepherd’s hut insurance and get a free quote today.

Where to Store Boats in Winter to Protect From Damage
Where to Store Boats in Winter to Protect From Damage 500 334 James Hallam

Winterising your boat means taking steps to protect it from harsh winter weather, to ensure it will be ready to sail again once spring comes around. An essential part of winterising your boat is ensuring you store it properly. In this post we will discuss the ideal winter storage solutions for boats, with some alternative suggestions if such storage is impractical or impossible.

Be sure to read our guide to essential boat maintenance for winter, too.

Where Is The Best Place To Store a Boat in the Winter?

Ideally, you should take your boat out of the water over the winter, and store it in a secure building, with heating. If this is not possible, at the very least you should aim to take your boat ashore over the winter. This can help prevent corrosion, while making essential winter maintenance a lot easier through giving you easy access to the hull and keel.

If you cannot keep your boat indoors, then you should cover it, to protect it from precipitation. But if you use a tarpaulin, take care not to block any vents, and do not allow it to rest directly against the hull or topside. This can lead to scuffing in high winds.

What Should I Cover My Boat With?

A canvas tarpaulin or a dedicated boat cover is better than a cheap plastic tarpaulin, especially if your boat will be in storage for an extended period. Plastic tarpaulins can quickly disintegrate.

Steps To Take To Winterise Your Boat:

To keep your boat in the best condition while it’s in storage over winter:

  • Remove as many items as possible from the boat, including any food and drink. This will help prevent mould and mildew from forming.
  • If your boat has sails, take them down, and get them washed and repaired as necessary. Store them in a warm and dry place.
  • Remove all freezable liquids, including the water tank. Leave the taps in the open position, so that any condensation can drain out.
  • Top up the fuel tank and add some antifreeze, which can help prevent rusting. Check your boat’s manual for best-practice tips.
  • Clear all of your boat’s drains and check your piping and hoses for leaks.
  • Thoroughly clean your boat before putting it into storage, and ensure it is as well-ventilated as possible to keep the interior fresh.
  • Ensure the boat’s batteries are fully charged, then consider disconnecting them completely. This way, they will not drain through the winter, and there will be less fire risk.

What If I Have To Leave My Boat in the Water Over The Winter?

So long as your boat is securely moored, and so long as you can cover your boat to keep out the rainwater, your boat should be fine left in the water over the winter. British winters can get cold, but we do not face the sort of subzero temperatures that could really damage your boat.

How Often Should I Visit and Check on My Boat?

Try to visit your boat at least once a month throughout the winter, while it is afloat. This way you can check that everything is still secure, and you can address any potential issues, such as pooling water, before they become truly problematic.

If you are leaving your boat afloat over the winter, you may need to do some thorough maintenance in the spring, to ensure that there are no new leaks or signs of wear and tear. Also, be sure that your boat insurance covers you for keeping your boat in the water over the winter. Not all policies will include such cover, and some may stipulate that you must keep your boat onshore throughout the winter.

Everard Insurance Brokers are the specialist marine trading division of accredited Lloyd’s brokers James Hallam Limited. We can help you ensure you have the insurance you need to cover your boat over the winter, and beyond.

Find out more about our dedicated marine insurance services.

 

 

Boat Maintenance in Winter: Essential Repairs for Vessels and Equipment
Boat Maintenance in Winter: Essential Repairs for Vessels and Equipment 500 333 James Hallam

If you stay on top of boat maintenance throughout the winter, then you will not face an overwhelming set of tasks once spring rolls around.

This post is an essential boat maintenance checklist for winter. We will cover all of the essential checks and repairs you should make at the start of the winter season that will make life easier once you are ready to start sailing again.

Be sure to consult your boat’s manual for dedicated maintenance tips for your specific model.

Hull Maintenance Checklist

  • First, check your boat’s hull for any chips, scratches, or dents. Even the smallest chip can lead to leaks and water ingress, so aim to fill anything you find before you sail again. For GRP vessels, if necessary, apply some fresh gelcoat to reseal your hull, and give the hull a polish to protect the gelcoat layer.
  • Check the underside of your boat for any marine growth, and check the paint for peels, craters, and blisters. If your boat is getting on in years, it may be time to scrape back a few layers of paint to reapply a few coats of antifouling.
  • Check your anodes in steel vessels, and replace them if they appear worn. Tighten all bolts and clean their threads.
  • Check for cracks and signs of corrosion where the hull and keel join, and get any necessary repairs as soon as possible.

Thru-Hull Maintenance

Check all thru-hull fittings for signs of corrosion or damage, and repair or replace as necessary. Also check any valves. Make sure they are fully operational with no signs or wear or damage.

Propeller Maintenance Checks

Give the propeller a thorough clean, and check it for any dings, cracks, warping, or other signs of damage. Make sure it is securely fitted, and replace any bearings as necessary.

Engine Maintenance Jobs

Aim to replace your boat engine’s fluids, along with the filters, at least once a year. You should also aim to replace the raw water pump’s impeller once a year.

Thoroughly inspect the engine’s cooling system, along with any cables, hoses, spark plugs, and any other connections.

Winter Boat Maintenance Tasks

Certain other tasks will depend on the specific type of boat you own:

  • If your boat has sails, check the sails for rips, tears, or fraying, and get any necessary repairs. Also inspect your lines, and clean them if necessary.
  • If your boat has any wood, clean it and treat it.
  • Check all electricals are in good working order, and check the wiring for any wear and tear.
  • Vacuum and clean any soft furnishings.
  • Check for leaks around any windows and deck fittings.
  • Check the condition of any safety equipment you keep on your boat, and replace anything that is damaged, or approaching its use-by date.

Get The Right Cover For Your Boat Over Winter, and Beyond

Everard Insurance Brokers are the specialist marine trading division of accredited Lloyd’s brokers James Hallam Limited. We can help you ensure you have the insurance you need to cover your boat over the winter, and beyond.

Find out more about our dedicated marine insurance services.

 

What Insurance Do You Need For a Conference?
What Insurance Do You Need For a Conference? 500 259 James Hallam

If your business regularly hosts conferences, or if you are planning your very first conference, then you are likely wondering about the insurance requirements. What cover do you need to ensure that you will be insured for every eventuality?

Whether you are planning a single-day event, or a conference that lasts a number of days, in this post we will discuss the different types of insurance cover you may need for your conference.

Do You Need Insurance For a Conference?

First, contact the conference venue to see what sort of cover they require you to have as part of their booking conditions. Usually they will only be interested in whether you have liability insurance, but they may have a minimum level of cover that they require you to hold

Your existing business insurance may provide some cover for the conference. For example, your employer’s liability insurance may cover your own staff for anything that might go wrong while they are working at the conference.

However, you must not assume that the venue’s insurance, along with your own insurance, will give you all the cover you need. To ensure you are fully covered for anything that might go wrong, it is a good idea to take out some specialist conference insurance for your event.

Conference Cancellation Insurance

If you need to cancel your conference, for any reason, then the money expended to that point in securing the venue and other components could be lost. In addition, your speakers may request that you refund any travel and accommodation expenses. You may also be commercially obliged to refund attendees payments for attending.   This could leave you seriously out of pocket. But cancellation insurance can cover such costs, along with certain other expenses that may arise as a result of a cancellation.

Cancellation insurance can include cover for:

  • Full cancellations, along with significant alterations to the original conference plan, such as curtailment, alternative speakers, and moving the conference to a different time or venue.
  • Non-appearance, should key speakers or guests not show up, or cancel at short notice.
  • Disruptions as a result of terrorism, bomb threats, strikes, protests, or adverse weather.
  • National mourning, should you need to cancel your conference as a result of a death.

Property Insurance

The venue’s insurance should cover any equipment they provide, such as sound systems, tables, and chairs. But you may need to take out dedicated property insurance for any additional equipment you bring to the venue, whether you own it or hire it specifically for the conference.

This can also cover any loss or damage to your property while it is in transit to and from the conference venue. Plus, if you hire equipment for the conference, and this equipment is lost, destroyed, or damaged, your property insurance can cover any ongoing hire charges, along with necessary repairs or replacements. Always check your contract for equipment hire to establish whether you are required to insure it.

Public and Event Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance, or event liability insurance, will cover you for claims made by attendees, venue owners, and other third parties for any personal injuries or loss or damage to belongings and property.

The venue will have their own public liability insurance, but this will cover them for their own negligent acts, you will need your own policy to cover your liability should an accident be down to you. It is normally a condition of booking the venue to that you have this type of insurance. Once again, you may need dedicated public liability insurance for your conference if your annual public liability insurance has not been extended to cover your events.

How Much Conference Insurance Do I Need?

The amount of conference insurance you get, and the amount you pay for your cover, will depend on a number of factors. This includes the size of the event budget, the event’s duration, the number of attendees, the number of staff onsite, and any special arrangements for guests or speakers.

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with access to a hand-picked selection of A-rated insurance providers. We can help you get all the cover you need for your conference, including specialist insurance for your staff, your attendees, and your property.

Get in touch for a free quote today.

How To Prepare Your Shop For a Flood
How To Prepare Your Shop For a Flood 500 375 James Hallam

Even a small flood could devastate your business. But if you take the time to prepare your shop for a flood, you can respond effectively, and recover from losses, damage, or other setbacks as quickly as possible.

In this post we will discuss five key ways you can prepare your shop for a flood.

How To Check Your Risk of Flood

Is your shop located on a flood plain? Is there a history of floods in your area? Are any floods likely to happen in the near future? There are ways you can check. The Flood Hub has gathered a number of maps from the Environmental Agency. Together they provide both a five-day flood risk forecast along with the potential long-term flood risks for areas in the UK.

Check your premises on the flood risk maps.

You can also sign up for flood alerts and warnings from the UK government. This means you can get a call, text, or email giving you advanced warning if any floods are expected in your area, which could give you time to prepare. Sign up for government flood warnings.

How to Create Your Flood Plan

How would you respond in the event of a flood? What steps would you take to mitigate the damage and protect your most valuable stock and equipment?

This is where a flood plan can help. Take the time now to outline the specific actions you would take in the event of a flood. This way, you will be less likely to panic if disaster strikes, and more likely to take effective action.

Your flood plan should include:

  • Steps you would take to ensure your personal safety, along with the safety of any staff or customers. How would you evacuate the premises, and where would you go?
  • Steps you would take to secure your shop. This might include turning off the power to reduce the risk of electrical faults, and taking steps to prevent water ingress, and possible break-ins.
  • Steps you would take to protect your valuable stock and equipment. We will cover what this might involve below.
  • Who you would call – including your insurer, your suppliers, and anyone else who may need to know about the flood.

How to Make a Flood Kit

A flood kit should contain everything you might need to put your flood plan into action.

At the very least, you should have all the key contact details you will need to hand. But depending on the flood risk in your area, your flood kit could contain a range of equipment to help prevent water ingress and keep your shop and your stock safe.

View a full range of flood protection equipment, featuring everything from door protection to toilet stoppers.

Protecting Your Stock and Equipment

As part of your flood plan, you should outline steps you would take to safeguard your most valuable stock and equipment. This might include:

  • Getting a secure and waterproof box to quickly store any cash and other valuables on your premises.
  • Storing your most valuable stock on higher shelves, or on upper floors if possible.
  • Quickly disconnecting any electrical equipment to move it to a high shelf or upper floor.
  • Using flood prevention equipment (see above) to minimise the water ingress to your storerooms.

Get The Right Flood Insurance

It is important to ensure that your shop insurance policy covers you for all possible losses and damages that you may experience as a result of a flood.

Here are a few areas of cover you should not be without:

  • Full flood cover – Your policy may cover you for flooding from heavy rainfall, burst riverbanks, and high tides. But it may not cover you for other types of flooding, including groundwater flooding. Make sure you are covered for every type of flood, including “escape of water” from within your shop premises.
  • Stock and equipment cover – Your policy should provide cover for any stock or equipment that might get destroyed or damaged during the flood. If you sell food and drink, the cover should extend to any stock that goes bad due to loss of power to your fridges and freezers.
  • Business interruption cover – Your policy should provide cover to protect your income should you be unable to trade as a result of a flood. Check your policy wording to ensure you have all the cover you need. Your shop might be out of action for longer than you expect.

Get The Insurance You Need From James Hallam

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a team of experienced insurance professionals who are dedicated to protecting your shop from the risks you face.

Talk to us and we will give you access to a range of hand-picked, A-rated insurance providers. We will tailor a flexible insurance package that gives you cover at outstanding value.

Learn more about our tailored insurance solutions for shops like yours, and get a free quote today.

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