Heartland Group appointed as Preferred Insurance Broker to the British Precast Concrete Federation
The Heartland Insurance Group has been appointed as the Preferred Insurance Broker to the members of the British Precast Concrete Federation.
Tracing its roots back to 1918, The British Precast Concrete Federation (BPCF) is the trade association of precast concrete manufacturers. The main aims of the federation are to promote precast concrete in the construction market and to disseminate information, through a range of industry representation and by shared knowledge, to add value to its member companies.
Martin Clarke, Chief Executive of the British Precast Concrete Federation said in a letter to his members:
“In line with our on-going commitment to improve the services available to you; we are pleased to announce that the Heartland Group has been selected as the preferred insurance broker to the British Precast Concrete Federation and its members both Full and Associate.
Heartland has taken the time to understand the investment in Health and Safety improvement that our members have made through the Concrete Targets scheme
This understanding has allowed Heartland to negotiate with a leading panel of insurers who are now able to reward members with exclusive insurance products.
Significantly, any member using Heartland as their insurance broker is likely to see improvements in cover or pricing.
Of course you may already have an insurance broker that gives you a satisfactory deal and there is no obligation in any way to use Heartland. We are however convinced by their professional approach to insurance broking.
Heartland is one of a limited number of insurance brokers to have received Chartered Status. This is the “gold standard” when it comes to professionalism within the insurance industry and is in line with our Raising the Bar Charter approach.
Heartland is a true independent insurance broker with a team of 21 but it also has a national presence through their affiliation with the Willis Commercial Network. This provides Heartland with the facilities of a much larger insurance broker and subsequently the access to a wider range of insurers and products.”
Brian Weetman, Managing Director of the Heartland Group also commented, “it is excellent news that another well established trade body has recognised the high quality service that Heartland can provide to its clients. We look forward to engaging with the members of the Precast Concrete Federation in respect of their insurance and risk management needs”.
For more information please contact Heartland Group on 01926 420 555.
Action Required – Theft of Heating Oil and Diesel
We are seeing a significant increase in the incidence of theft and malicious damage to both heating oil and diesel from fixed surface tanks.
The consequences of this are numerous. Not least the monetary loss of fuel, damage to infrastructure, ground or water course pollution requiring clean up costs and the possible action by regulatory authorities that can far exceed the value of any fuel stolen.
There is no simple solution to the problem, thefts are not only committed in areas of high crime but also, and more commonly perpetrated in less populated rural areas.
There are a number of measures that should be undertaken. Firstly, we at Heartland would welcome the opportunity to discuss the insurance provisions as a means of protection against the monetary loss, physical damage and possible consequences. Cover may differ between Insurers and an assumption that they will automatically ‘pick up the tab’ can be very misplaced. Policy interpretations relating to stock, pollution and goods stored in the open need to be understood and we are best placed to advise on this.
Secondly, an assessment of security should be undertaken. The key points to consider here are ;
• Value, quantity and location
• Perimeter and general security provisions
• Proximity of nearby rivers and water
courses
• Physical security of vent caps, inspection
apertures, filling points, dispensing
nozzles, supply pipework and the like.
Call Andrew Powell or your usual Heartland Contact, on 01926 42055 for more information.
A case in Scotland, which recently resulted in three companies being fined over the same incident, provides a reminder of the health and safety responsibilities of all firms involved in any part of the construction supply chain, not just the contractor.
The companies were – between them – fined over £300,000 following a fall of over 6 metres by a worker on to a concrete floor. The accident happened when the worker was installing a security system. The companies that were fined were the customer, the contractor firm and the firm to which the job had been sub-contracted – which was the injured man’s employer.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that the customer had not requested a written risk assessment of the work from either the contractor or the sub-contractor. The contractor was understood to have carried out a general risk assessment relating to working at height but not one that related to this particular project. It’s understood that the sub-contracted firm was not aware of the contractor’s risk assessment. It was reported that neither company had a method statement detailing how the work was to be safely conducted.
Furthermore, the customer did not conduct safety inductions for contractors before the commencement of work on site or hold safety meetings once work was underway to check the ongoing safety of the work.
This comes as a salutary warning to construction firms of the extent of their health and safety responsibilities.
As ever, the HSE provides useful information:
• about working at height http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/
• about risk assessments http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/
• example risk assessments http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/
For more information contact Heartland (Midlands) Limited on 01926 420 555 or visit www.heartlandgroup.co.uk
Complimentary Risk Management Analysis
Heartland has teamed up with ‘Action Pro’, a powerful software system which analyses “risk” within a business.
A number of simple questions are asked about a clients business and their management practices. Based on the response to these questions, a detailed report highlighting key areas of risk and ways to better protect the business is generated.
Key Areas include:
- IT Security
- Human Resources
- Financial Protection
- Premises
- Motor Vehicles
- Disaster Planning
- Health and Safety
- Environmental
- Credit
- Director Duties
- Fraud
For a short time, anyone receiving this email is able to request a FREE analysis on Disaster Planning or Environmental risk.
Please email us at info@heartlandgroup.co.uk to request your analysis.
Alternatively call James Trevis on 01926 420 555 to find out more.
With a stagnant UK economy all businesses have to be cautious in their approach to business planning. Growth is hoped for but cannot be taken for granted. So it is particularly pleasing that Heartland Midlands Ltd, a Chartered Commercial Insurance Broker based in Warwickshire, can report another year of record growth.
Brian Weetman, MD of the Heartland Group comments; “The growth is attributed to hard work and a sense of traditional broking values. It seems that customers still want a very personal and independent approach to insurance advice. Naturally to help grow our business we need a high calibre of employee and we are delighted to announce three new arrivals in the last six months”
Jim Higginson Keys has been appointed as a Dedicated Claims Handler and brings expertise and experience of working closely with clients to help manage their claims as smoothly as possible.
To support Heartland’s service offering, Pardeep Bains is making the transfer from a technical underwriting role at Aviva to a dedicated Account Handler.
Beverly Buckley completes the hat-trick of new starters and has extensive insurance broking experience dealing with substantial commercial accounts throughout the Midlands area.
Heartland Midlands Ltd specialises in Commercial Insurance Broking and related services such as Corporate Risk Management. To find out more visit www.heartlandgroup.co.uk or follow on twitter @heartland_ltd
(picture attached, left to right; Pardeep Bains, Jim Higginson-Keys, Beverley Buckley)
Heartland Midlands Limited urges vehicle owners to be vigilant
Chartered Commercial Insurance Broker, Heartland Midlands Limited, has noted a significant increase in claims from clients concerning the Theft of Catalytic Converters (CATs) from company vehicles.
Across the country similar reports of these thefts are on the rise.
This is all down to the precious metals inside. CATs contain Platinum, Palladium or Rhodium which are involved in converting exhaust gases into less harmful substances.
With the price of precious metals rocketing, a thief can make anywhere between £50 and £150 for each catalytic converter.
Commercial Vehicles are exceptionally vulnerable as they often have larger clearances from the ground making the CAT easier to access. They also have larger engines so the CATs are usually bigger and therefore more valuable.
Commercial Fleets are also an attractive target as a thief can hit multiple vehicles at the same time.
The cost to the victims of this type of theft can be substantial. A typical CAT replacement can cost between £900 and £1,500 per vehicle. There is also the impact to trading to consider whilst the vehicle is being repaired.
Whilst comprehensive motor insurance will cover the cost of the repair, some policies impose an excess ‘per vehicle’. They also provide no cover for the ‘loss of business’ as a result of the theft. (This type of cover maybe available under a company’s ‘business interruption policy’ but it is worth checking the terms and conditions of your policy)
So what can you do to help prevent these thefts?
• Store the vehicles in a garage where possible.
• Alternatively, park in well-lit busy areas.
• Look out for people working under cars.
• Consider a marking system. Many companies offer a kit consisting of virtually indestructible stickers, metal marking fluid and a window sticker (to warn thieves that the catalytic converter carries an identification mark).
Heartland is offering a complimentary insurance ‘checking service’ to any company concerned about their Motor Fleet policy. Visit their website www.heartlandgroup.co.uk or call 01926 420 555.
Heartland Ironman “up for the challenge”
Insurance can be a challenge for many businesses. Often we need to challenge insurers for our clients. However when it comes to a challenge, our MD takes them in his stride, or stroke or pedal for that matter.
Heartland’s Brian Weetman (right) has recently completed “Challenge Henley” an Ironman distance triathlon event comprising a 2.4 mile swim in the Thames, a 112 mile cycle in the Chiltern Hills and a 26 mile run around Henley on Thames…12 hours 37 minutes of sheer non-stop pleasure.
So if you need someone who can stand up to the challenges insurers pose then he would be pleased to hear from you.
Contact Heartland Midlands Ltd now on 01926 420 555 or visit www.heartlandgroup.co.uk
