Commercial Solutions

Good business insurance is absolutely essential – you simply cannot operate without it. However, for someone running a business turning your mind to arranging and administering an insurance program is often complex and time consuming. So why not leave it to us. Insurance is our business and it is what we are good at it.

We have extensive experience of all types of insurance, but providing Commercial Solutions is our specialty. We understand that every business is different, whether in size, location, trade or processes. It is those very differences that make each business unique. Whether your premium spend is £5,000 or £500,000, Russell Scanlan has the experience to look after your business insurance and make a difference. After the disaster is not the time to start looking up your insurance policies and finding that they are inadequate.

We believe that communication is the key to a successful relationship as it is absolutely essential for us as your broker to fully understand exactly what your business does. So from the start we talk to you. Where appropriate we will then arrange a survey to gain the extra in-depth technical detail needed. Only when fully armed with this knowledge will we then approach the insurance market with a clear idea of your requirements.

Our aim is to work closely with you and to suggest strategies and solutions that have been put together to reflect your needs and hopefully exceed your expectations. This is of course a continuing process. Your insurances will constantly be under review – new covers may need to discussed and recommended just as existing covers may become obsolete.

Without doubt the most important part of any insurance is when you need to claim. This is where a good broker shines. When a claim happens, you should never be left guessing what the next step is. At Russell Scanlan we are involved from the start and we stay involved until the claim is settled - whether it be attending a site meeting with a loss adjuster, corresponding with a solicitor or just being available to talk and explain the claims process to you. Above all else we aim to ensure that a claim is handled sympathetically and efficiently.

So what covers will we consider for your business?

Assets and Other Property - Your buildings plus plant, stock, computers, etc – damage not just at the work place but maybe at a customers premises or at whilst at your home or in transit in between. And what about that leased photocopier? How about the goods you export all over the world or the materials you import from China – are they your responsibility and is there a better way of insuring them? What about the goods in store that deteriorate because the temperature increases? Don’t forget that Terrorism damage is excluded from most insurances – but it can often be added back.

Business Interruption - Not just the turnover you lose when your factory burns down or the extra expense you incur to keep the business going. What if your electricity is cut off, or your heating fails and you have to send everyone home? Or perhaps you are a telesales operation and your phones are down for a week. Maybe your premises are closed down because of a suspected outbreak of e-coli. There again, your main supplier may have a fire and can’t let you have those raw materials you need to fulfil your own customer’s order. The possibilities are endless. Most can be insured.

Liabilities - By law you must have Employer’s liability insurance but you also need Public and maybe Products liability. And what about the freight forwarder who wrongly labels his customer’s goods and they are sent half way round the world to the wrong address? Or the e-mail you send that has a virus and crashes the recipients’ website? What if the products you send to your customer are found to be faulty but don’t actually cause injury or damage – perhaps you need a “financial loss” extension.

Vehicles - By law you need Third Party insurance for any motor vehicle on the road and if your vehicle(s) are new or have value you will most likely insure for damage to the vehicle as well. But what if the value of the vehicle in the event of a write off is less than the finance you owe on the vehicle? You can make provision for it. What do you do about the van that is almost permanently in another country?

Professional Liability/Professional Indemnity - If you charge a fee for a service or for advice given you could be sued if that advice or service is flawed. So a solicitor might miss a deadline for issuing proceedings; a surveyor might not pick up a fault with a building; a managing agent might miss a rent review date; or a doctor wrongly diagnoses an illness.

Directors and Officers - To cover directors and senior staff (officers) personally for breach of professional duty. It is happening more and more that company directors are personally included in litigation made against a company.

Employment Practices Liability - Insurance for the business against actions brought by, for example, disgruntled employees on grounds of race or religion, for alleged harassment or breach of contract

Credit - To protect you if, for example, that major customer goes into liquidation owing you a lot of money. Insurers can also help with credit ratings for particular firms or countries.

If you would like someone to contact you to discuss your requirements please use the Commercial Enquiry Form link.