Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

If you require support as a direct result of COVID-19, please contact us to discuss your needs and what assistance may be available.

Under some circumstances an adjustment to the cover required may be available and / or we may be able to assist with deferred payments. Please do not cancel your Direct Debit Instruction as this may trigger an automated default process, which could result in the cancellation of your policy.

You must complete a risk assessment to ensure your business is COVID secure for the safety of your employees and customers, and comply social distancing rules. For further information look at our useful article “Creating a return to work action plan” which contains a useful checklist that might help. Also, visit the government website for further guidance on working safely during coronavirus.  

Additionally, let us know when you are reopening. As your insurance broker we can ensure you have the right cover in place to reflect your new ways of working.

As you are aware we are currently experiencing an unprecedented situation and information is frequently being updated. On the 17^th March the Association of British Insurers (ABI) published a statement about standard Business Interruption cover responding to the impact of Covid-19. In the statement it says:

“Standard business interruption cover – the type the majority of businesses purchase – does not include forced closure by authorities as it is intended to respond to physical damage at the property which results in the business being unable to continue to trade.”

They have also produced a Q&A webpage to provide further help on different types of insurance products on the following link:

https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-qa/

The ABI has produced a Q&A webpage to provide further help on different types of insurance products on the following link:

https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-qa/

As per this Q&A, section 2. Business Insurance > Business Interruption > Question “Does standard business interruption insurance provide cover for businesses who are not able to operate due to the effects of Covid-19?

• “Standard business insurance policies are designed and priced to cover standard risks and are therefore very unlikely to provide cover for the effects of global pandemics like Covid-19. This includes forced closure by the authorities. Businesses may have chosen to purchase cover that will specifically provide for business interruption arising from notifiable or infectious diseases. For certain notifiable disease extensions cover may apply if other policy conditions are met. However, this type of extension is not commonly included as standard. Furthermore, the likely costs to businesses of cover that would include more unusual risks – such as those posed by new diseases – would be prohibitive.
• Businesses who are concerned about the impacts of Covid-19 should check the scope of their cover, and check with their insurance adviser or broker.

The ABI has recently provided the following advice on their website:

https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-hub/business-insurance/

“If a business has to temporarily close because of Covid-19, where customers are taking the appropriate steps to mitigate the risk of damage to the property whilst unoccupied, insurers will be flexible around the period of unoccupancy specified on the policy document.

Policies will often include conditions that are intended to ensure good practice in protecting buildings of damage caused by the risk of fire, theft and escape of water, which are often increased when a building is empty.  It is important that business owners continue to follow risk management advice and ensure they understand what steps they need to take.

Some insurers have also waived requirements for their business customers to immediately notify them of their unoccupied status, (depending on the individual business circumstances).  This should help those customers concentrate on managing their businesses and allow insurers’ call centres to focus on managing the significant number of insurance claims being processed.”

If there are any specific requirements as part of your insurance contract that you are unable or unlikely to be able to comply with, such as on-site security you must let us know.

In order for your insurance policy to remain in force you need to continue to pay your premium. Business Insurance is in place to protect you against standard risks and there may be a legal obligation for you to have insurance in place, for instance, if you have employees and there may be a contractual obligation from a mortgage provider or finance company against any property you own or lease. However, if you are experiencing temporary financial difficulty paying your premium as a result of COVID-19 please contact us to discuss your needs and what assistance may be available.

Please refer to your insurance policy wording along with the Terms of Business Agreement for details of any cancellation rights and associated fees.  If you wish to discuss your cancellation rights please get in touch with us.

If you have employees you may have a legal requirement to have Employers Liability insurance, other than in very limited circumstances.  See a link to the HSE website for guidance on Employers Liability insurance requirements:

• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse40.pdf

Most office & surgeries package policies include cover for employees that perform non-manual activities away from the business premises, as standard within the specified territorial limits.

If your staff do not normally work remotely or from home, please ensure that you follow the guidance provided by the HSE and/or ACAS. They both provide help and guidance on your responsibilities and advice surrounding the risks you should consider as an employer. See links below:

• https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/workers/home.htm
• https://archive.acas.org.uk/homeworking

If you are concerned about the level of cover provided by your policy then please get in touch.