General frequently asked questions

Which insurance companies do you use to underwrite each policy?
Can you tell me anything about them?

insuredrisks.co.uk uses several leading insurance companies to ensure a competitive price.

Groupama - Website

Groupama Insurances is one of the UK's leading general insurance groups.

Its parent company is the world's third largest property and casualty mutual and one of the strongest financial groups in Europe.

With annual revenues of £8 billion and assets under management of around £37 billion, the group conducts business in over 20 countries around the world. An acknowledged expert in health and agricultural insurance, Groupama has a workforce of over 32,500 people worldwide.

In the UK Groupama Insurances is now a major force with over 1 million customers and 1,000 staff.

Groupama enjoys a claims paying ability security rating of A from Standard and Poors and underwrite our public and employers liability and commercial vehicle (van) insurance.

AXA Insurance - Website

AXA Insurance is the third largest general insurer in the UK. Launched in January 1998 as AXA Provincial Insurance plc following the merger of the UAP and AXA Group in 1997 the company changed its name to AXA Insurance plc in October 1998. The company then acquired Guardian Royal Exchange Group in May 1999.

AXA Insurance is part of the AXA Group one of the world's leading insurance and asset management companies with over £518 billion of assets under management and total revenues of £52 billion in 2002.

The Group employs over 90,000 staff in over 60 Countries worldwide, holds leading positions in Europe and North America, and has a strong presence in the Asia Pacific region.

Policies with insuredrisks.co.uk are placed with AXA Insurance UK plc who have a claims paying ability security rating of A+ from Standard and Poors.

AXA Insurance UK plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and underwrite our public and employers liability insurance.

Composite Legal Expenses - Website

Established in 1996, Composite Legal Expenses Ltd is a leading UK provider of Commercial, Personal and Motor Legal Expenses Insurance.

Composite works with some of the UK’s largest affinity, trade organisations and Insurance Intermediaries to provide comprehensive innovative products to protect businesses and individuals in today’s litigious society.

Utilising a select number of key partners including Solicitors, Accountants and Consultants, Composite is proud to provide businesses with the support they need when they need it most.

Groupama Insurance Company underwrites all of Composite’s Commercial Legal Expenses policies so you have the extra peace of mind in knowing that your business is being supported by one of the UK’s leading insurers.

Both Composite Legal Expenses Ltd and Groupama Insurance Company Ltd are Authorised and Regulated by The Financial Services Authority.

DAS - Website

Since formation in 1975, DAS has become firmly established as the clear leader within the legal expenses insurance market.

DAS's products are supported by a range of advice, assistance and claims management solutions. Underpinning all this is a strict adherence to quality, as demonstrated by our ISO 9001 accreditation and Investor in People status.

DAS is rated A/Stable by Standard & Poors and underwrite our stand alone legal expenses product.

When and how do I receive my insurance documents?

If, while purchasing your insurance with us, you have given a valid email address you will receive a confirmation email instantly. Included in this email is a copy of your insurance schedule and certificate.

Are these documents valid though? Don't I need a copy sent by post?

The documents that you receive are legal documents and are suitable to be presented to whom ever wishes to see proof of your insurance.

Is there a way in which I can spread the payments over the course of the year?

Yes, for premiums over £350 an instalment facility is available that spreads the payments over 10 months.

Who is behind insuredrisks.co.uk?

insuredrisks.co.uk is a business established by The Halvor Partnership Limited to efficiently deliver competitively priced insurance into the small business market. The internet provides the method to keep costs to a minimum.

Halvor can be visited at www.halvor.co.uk

What is Tool and Goods in Transit? Does it only cover the tools while I am taking them from A to B?

The Tools and Goods in Transit Insurance cover tools and goods up to a value of £1,500 in any one incident. It covers theft from site (as long as you are on site), theft from any locked premises (made from brick or stone) and theft from a locked vehicle.

Why should I consider legal expenses cover?

Business is becoming increasingly litigious as a result of more and more legislation being introduced each year. At the same time employees are becoming much more aware of their rights. Based on the Employment Tribunal Service’s 2005/2006 Annual Report, the average level of awards were as follows;

Race Discrimination Award - £30,600
Disability Discrimination Award - £19.300
Sex Discrimination Award - £10,800
Unfair Dismissal Award - £8,600

When you notice that every year there are over 100,000 applications to Employment Tribunals you then realise what impact this could have on your business. Even if the allegation is completely fictitious, a business still needs to defend its position and therefore would incur legal costs if they did not have Legal Expenses Insurance.

Your business may also find itself confronted with an Inland Revenue, Tax or VAT investigation. The burden of proof is on the taxpayer and the enquiry needs to be handled by people with a specialist understanding of your affairs. The authorities do not have to give any reason for opening an enquiry and each year more than one in ten businesses face enquiries by the Inland Revenue. Even if you are completely exonerated the extent of work required means fees can be very substantial.

Small and medium sized businesses are unlikely to have their own in-house resources to deal with legal disputes. These include those above as well as disputes arising out of Owing or Leasing Property, Health & Safety issues, Prosecutions, Trade Licenses and the Data Protection Act. Commercial Legal Expenses Insurance policies protect against the cost of potential legal disputes and also provide Legal Advice and representation to minimise disruption and exposure to these risks.

Are there any exclusions on personal accident?

This policy does not cover death or disablement directly or indirectly arising out of or consequent upon or contributed to by the insured person engaging or taking part in:

naval, military or air force service or operations.
wintersports, other than recreational skating, curling, ski-ing and snowboarding on-piste only, but excluding off-piste, or heli-ski/snowboarding.
skin diving involving the aid of breathing apparatus, rock-climbing or mountaineering normally involving the use of ropes or guides, pot-holing, hang gliding, parachuting, hunting on horseback, or driving or riding in any kind of race.
driving or riding of motor-cycles or motor scooters over 100cc.