Press Release –

Andrew Bourne & Co expands Corporate team in Leicester

Published: 01/04/2010

Andrew Bourne & Co (Insurance Consultants) in
Leicester has appointed Richard Gibson as Corporate
Account Manager to expand their corporate division.

Richard brings experience of 22 years to
his new position where he has worked previously for
Perkins Slade Limited and
Towergate Risk Solutions Leicester in a variety of account
management roles. Richard’s extensive experience
in client retention and new business includes long-term
responsibilities for the development and relationship
management of successful trade association accounts.

Richard has expertise in a wide range of industry sectors; he specialises in heavy manufacturing risks and has also developed in-depth knowledge of wood-working, construction, foundries, forges and motor trade business.

Commenting on Richard’s appointment, Director, Justin Pavey said,
‘Richard is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic individual whose specialist expertise and technical skill will further enhance our corporate customer proposition, adding to the depth and breadth of experience in the Corporate Client team.’

Contacts
For more information about this press release contact Tracy Edge on 0116 2720770 or by email to tracy.edge@abourne.com

Andrew Bourne & Co
Founded in 1990, Andrew Bourne is an independent broker, providing expert, impartial advice for UK and international businesses, organisations and private individuals.

Visit our web site at www.abourne.com

In April 2008 the “Corporate Manslaughter & Corporate Homicide Act 2007″ came in to force. This act is linked directly with Health & Safety requirements. Under the Act,  health & safety legislation means”any statutory provision dealing with health & safety matters”. This therefore applies to transport and workplace safety as enforced by HSE and local authorities.

This legislation has a direct affect on Haulage customers as well as many other sectors but ultimately it is essential that the management of your risk forms a key part of your Haulage Insurance negotiations. We would raise the question of whether they do currently or whether this has been discussed with you by your existing broker?

Some basic requirements like operating an up to date drivers company handbook, having clear and defined accident procedures in place, making sure driving licences are checked regularly and operating a system for daily / weekly vehicle checks are all part and parcel of your internal systems and controls. 

These measures, whilst basic, are an integral part of complying with your  responsibilities but they are relatively easy to implement if you are receiving suitable advice and support  from your existing provider. If you recoginise this as a gap and one that could ultimately mean you are liable, act now and contact Andrew Bourne & Co who specialise in Haulage Insurance. Please contact David Crowther on 07536 117804 or email him on david.crowther@abourne.com

Andrew Bourne & Co provide Risk Management advice and guidance to support your legal obligations and in direct conjunction offer bespoke financial packages for Haulage and Transportation customers who are looking for a partnership approach to their insurances.

High metal prices continue trend of insurance thefts.

In April,  the BBC reported that thousand of homes in Edinburgh  could have been left without power after thieves tried to steal metal from an electricity sub-station. Fencing was cut by thieves around Newbridge Electricity station but were disturbed before they could steel any metal. If successful thousands of homes in Edinburgh could have been left without power.   (Full article here )

This incident mirrors a  national trend of thefts of metal from business premises in the past several months.   If you are a foundry  that handles large quantities of metal,  you are at an increased risk due to metal prices.

We therefore recommend the following advice to foundries:

• Review your physical security arrangements –  This should include the site perimeter,  building exteriors and high value stores
• Is your Intruder alarm system adequate?
• Many alarms are restricted to office areas. Can these be extended?
• Consider CCTV as part of your overall security.
• Have you increased your sums insured to cover the raised values?
• What are your security arrangements for Stock in the open?
• Make sure your Business Continuity Plan includes arrangements to deal with raw material storage.

Andrew Bourne and Co. are specialist insurance consultants to  the Cast Metals  Industry. For further information on the above , or if you would like a FREE impartial review of your present  insurance programme,   please contact our foundry insurance expert Richard Gibson on 07510 695335 or email  richard.gibson@abourne.com

“My Insurer has refused to pay out on my fire insurance claim!”

For the majority of businesses, the above quotation will never happen.   But for some it may be the case!

The reason some insurance claims are refused are due to a breach in policy Warranties.

A  “Warranty” is  a special form of policy condition used by insurers to police activities of policyholders.  Any infringement of a warranty  – even an innocent infringement – gives the insurer the right to refuse claims.

For example Woodworkers naturally manufacturer products from wood.  Therefore fire insurance cover under their commmercial combined policy would normally be subject to a “Waste Warranty”. The wordings of theses waste warranties vary bewteen insurers, but typically we have come across policies who are required to clear sawdust and shavings from machines  and the floors daily and remove collective waste from the premises daily.

Some Woodworking businesses may be unaware of this warranty.  Some will be unable to comply.  Neither would be insured in the event of a fire. Also some Woodworkers retain offcuts as winter fuel and these too could be regarded as failure to clear waste from their premises.

If this is a problem for you, or you would like to discuss this in greater detail,  please contact our Woodworking Insurance specialist Richard Gibson on 07510 695335 or email him at  richard.gibson@abourne.com

We are able to offer insurance policies that provide less onerous waste requirements.