two people discussing business with a laptop

Why You Should Use An Independent Insurance Broker

Searching for insurance for your business can be an overwhelming – not to mention stressful – experience. No matter what type of business you’re trying to insurance, there are always multiple policies on the market, offered by insurers all claiming to provide the best deals.

So, what do you do? Not wanting to spend time searching around, many people purchase one of the first policies they’re offered, only to realise a few months down the line that they aren’t receiving value for money or worse, that they’re underinsured.

One way to avoid this happening to you is to enlist the help of an insurance broker. A broker will act as your personal adviser for insurance matters, ensuring you receive comprehensive cover for a competitive price. Here are some reasons why you should consider an insurance broker for your business:

They are experts in their field

Whereas you might be unfamiliar with the insurance market, brokers are experts in their field with years of experience in finding clients the right deals for the right price. Not only will they match you with the most suitable policy, but they can also help you to understand the ins and outs of policy terms and conditions, so you know exactly what you’re covered for.

You’ll receive impartial advice

If you go direct to an insurer, they are bound to claim that their policy is the best for you, regardless of whether it genuinely provides suitable coverage for your individual requirements. Brokers, on the other hand, compare policies from numerous insurance firms, so you can be sure that any advice they give you will be unbiased.

You’re guaranteed quality coverage

Brokers have access to a wide range of insurers and only use reputable firms they know provide excellent service and quality insurance products.

They’ll likely save you time and money

If you use a broker, they’ll do all the hard work so you don’t have to! No more time wasted scanning comparison websites or filling out seemingly endless quote forms.

You don’t need to pay to use a broker’s services as they are paid commission by the insurers they work for. What’s more, brokers are often able to secure you exclusive insurance deals that you won’t be able to find on insurers’ websites.

They take your individual requirements into account

Brokers know that no two clients are the same – everyone has different insurance needs – so they take the time to assess your individual requirements and ensure they match you with a policy that provides adequate coverage of those requirements.

Brokers can be particularly useful if you have any unusual requirements which often aren’t covered in standard policies, often required in areas such as manufacturing and renewable energy.

They’re flexible

How many times have you emailed an insurance company and only received a reply weeks later? How many minutes have you wasted waiting on the phone just to speak to someone about your policy?

Brokers are far more accessible than insurance companies. They’re easy to contact and you can choose how to communicate with them. For example, you might want to arrange a face-to-face meeting to discuss your insurance needs, or you might prefer a chat on the phone. The choice is yours.

They’re in it for the long-term

It’s not uncommon for communication to dwindle the moment an insurance company has you signed-up. Brokers, on the other hand, are in it for the long-term and will provide you with support whenever you need it.

If you’re ever in a situation where you need to make a claim, it can be a daunting experience. What steps do you take first? What information do you need to provide? If you’ve used a broker, they’ll act as your advocate and guide you through the process to help get you in the position you were before the incident occurred.

Using an insurance broker will likely save you time and money, ensuring your business is fully protected and for the right price. Want to know more? Get in touch with us on 01726 871144 option 3.

a padlock on a computer keyboard

Multi-Factor Authentication – What is it and what it means for your business  

Have you heard of Multi-Factor Authentication or MFA? 

While it might not mean much to some of you, it’s about to become one of the buzzwords in the Cyber Insurance industry. Here’s why.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

Multi-Factor Authentication requires system users to go through two layers of identification to access control of a system. Think about the systems you access regularly. Your ATM for example, the first layer of identification is your debit card, the second is your PIN. Or when you enter your credit card details online, each piece of information you provide is a separate layer of authentication, including your card number, expiry date and security code. Many providers also ask you to verify the purchase using an app – another layer of authentication.

Something you know, something you have, something you are

Multi-Factor Authentication is sometimes referred to as:

Something you know: A username or password

Something you have: Verification text on a mobile, key fob

Something you are: Biometric authentication, including fingerprint or retina scans

Multi-factor authentication is successfully enabled when at least two of these categories are required to successfully verify someone’s identity before gaining access to a system.

Why is it important?

Multi-Factor Authentication is important as it helps to make sure that a business’s IT systems remain secure, along with their customer and staff data. It effectively makes accessing it more difficult for cybercriminals to target your business. The harder your systems are to access, the less of a target you will be. It also helps to target natural human error – are your employees using the same passwords for everything? The more stringent password policies you set, the more time your IT team will spend resetting them – Multi-Factor Authentication helps to remove this pressure.

What it means for your Cyber Insurance

Multi-Factor Authentication isn’t currently a requirement for all insurers who provide Cyber Insurance policies, but it is heading in that direction. Cyber Insurance claims are being made thick and fast and many of these start with compromised passwords or IDs. It’s your responsibility as a business to ensure that you have sufficient levels of cyber security in place to prevent such an attack from happening and Multi-Factor Authentication is simple and low cost way to improve your cyber security.

If you are interested in a quote for cyber insurance please visit our website or phone 01726 871144 option 3 for the commercial department.

a car driving behind a lorry in snowy weather

Preparing Your Vehicles For Winter

Unexpected snowfall and treacherously icy roads can cause chaos for drivers and fleet managers. Here are some simple steps to help prepare for a season of trouble-free driving.

Servicing and maintenance

There’s no better time for a service than in the run up to winter. Maintenance throughout the season is also important, even once a service has been conducted. This should include:

  • Routinely checking the concentration of antifreeze in the coolant system, and bringing it back to the correct winter level
  • Replacing the car battery at the first sign of trouble
  • Replacing any faulty light bulbs immediately
  • Keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel in case of unexpected delay
  • For fleets, your customers should train and ensure drivers know how to deal with adverse conditions

Tyres

Regular visual checks will highlight any prominent defects to tyres. Any damage to the tyre walls such as cuts, cracks or bulges should be dealt with immediately as they could lead to slow punctures or blow-outs at high speeds.

In winter, drivers should ideally have a minimum tread depth of 3mm, as this helps the car to remove additional surface water on the road. Anything less than 2mm remaining on a tyre should be replaced immediately.

Consider installing winter/all season tyres; they are specifically designed to provide increased grip in winter conditions. In extreme weather, snow chains are also worth considering. Any tyre enhancements must be fitted to the manufacturer’s standards.

Do not under-inflate tyres; it is a myth that a softer tyre means better grip.

Prepare for the worst

You can rest in the knowledge that you’re prepared for the worst by stocking your vehicle(s) with the following items:

  • Ice scraper / de-icer spray
  • Powerful torch with spare batteries
  • Reflective triangle
  • First aid kit
  • Warm clothing, shoes and blankets
  • Insurance and broker documents, including any contact information for emergency claim hotlines
  • Bottled water and non-perishable foods
  • Jump leads
  • Snow shovel
  • Tow rope
  • Complete set of replacement light bulbs
  • Always carry a mobile phone and spare batteries

Preparing and driving the car

Allow at least 10 minutes more in the morning to prepare your car.

Clear all windows of snow and ice, and clear the roof of snow.

Give extra time for your journey and stick to main roads where possible.

Always let someone know where you are going, and when you expect to arrive.

For fleet managers, vehicle tracking tools are available.

Gentle manoeuvres are the key, particularly when braking.

Always try to pull away in second gear, and select a higher gear such as third or fourth for travelling downhill.

In the event of skidding, depress the clutch, steer into the skid and avoid the temptation to brake forcefully.

Black ice can appear to be just a wet patch, so be wary.

Always put your safety before punctuality in winter conditions.

Listen to local traffic reports and heed advice from your local authority or police concerning driving safety.

Want to find out how we can help insure your vehicles, whether it be commercial motor, car, agricultural vehicles or fleets, all one on policy? Get in touch with Rowett Insurance on 01726 871144 today. 

Or head here for more information on vehicle insurance.

 *This article originally appeared on Allianz.