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Driving in the EEA after Brexit

Following the uncertainty of the impact on UK policyholders driving in the European Economic Area (EEA) after Brexit, the ABI has issued guidance for policyholders.

What’s the impact on policyholders when the UK leaves the EU?

If the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019 without a withdrawal agreement in place, and in the absence of a specific agreement to the contrary, your policyholders need to ensure they carry a physical Green Card while driving their vehicles in the EEA and some other countries (Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland).

Drivers with a UK driving licence travelling in the EU and EEA Countries may also need to obtain an IDP (International Driving Permit).

From 28 March 2019, all commercial trailers weighing over 750kg and non-commercial trailers weighing over 3,500kg must be registered with the DVLA before travel to or through most EU and EEA countries and a separate Green Card will be required for these.

What are Green Cards?

Green Cards are an international certificate of insurance issued by insurance providers in the UK, guaranteeing that the motorist has the necessary minimum motor insurance cover for travel in the country they are visiting.

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UK subsidence claims see 350% increase in last six weeks

Sedgwick anticipates a possible surge in subsidence due to the prolonged spell of hot and dry weather across the UK.

Based on the company’s weekly update on current subsidence volumes, there has been a rise of more than 350 per cent over the past six weeks and it is likely to rise further as the heat and abnormally dry weather continue to affect already dangerously dry soil conditions.

Subsidence is a very serious issue, particularly for properties built on clay soil near trees, when the loss of moisture in the soil causes it to dry and shrink. Instability in the soil and the resulting ground movement will impact on the foundations of buildings. With shifting foundations comes the potential for property damage. The current weather trend and the increase in potential for subsidence is of great concern in places like London, where many of the city’s homes are constructed on clay-based soils.

Data from the UK’s Meteorological Office Rainfall and Evaporation Calculation System (MORECS) shows the biggest changes for several years, as the effect of the prolonged dry, sunny weather has started to show in monitoring readings. MORECS readings increased sharply from June through mid-August, rising from under 100, to 302.5, however dropping slightly to the current 298.5 last week, we anticipate that the maximum value of 308 will be reached within the next two weeks.

With warm weather patterns forecast to continue, especially in southern areas of the UK, Sedgwick estimates that claim volumes will also continue to rise through the remainder of August and into September and remains watchful of the situation.

“With live remote crack monitoring in place; feeding back data every eight hours, we are able to anticipate claim volumes before they occur, along with tracking soil conditions, level monitoring readings and long-term weather forecasts. We also have collated soil samples and weather information to help predict likely claims volumes for this year,” said Kevin Williams, Sedgwick head of subsidence.

Looking at the previous surge years of 2003 and 2006, the current position shows that the soil is drier than it was in 2003, but not quite as high as the surge of 2006. A surge event will be dependent on how long the MORECS remains at this maximum level: in 2003 there were maximum readings for seven consecutive weeks and 2006 for four weeks.

Whether or not 2018 becomes a subsidence surge year is dependent on warm weather continuing throughout August. For the high levels of subsidence to be repeated in 2018, the weather will need to remain dry and warm throughout August and into September.

Authored by Sedgwick

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Why implementing GDPR could be a Positive Change

CNA Hardy’s Matt Sumpter offers an interesting perspective on GDPR:

There is no question that the forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will bring with it big changes to organisations; enhancing existing data subject rights provided under the current EU Data Protection Directive as well as introducing new ones. But change is not necessarily a bad thing, and GDPR should be viewed as an opportunity rather than something to be feared.

Most organisations are already taking steps to prepare for the forthcoming legislation, however when examining the current commentary much of this preparation is seemingly focused only on the potential downsides rather than on leveraging the opportunity.

It is true that the focus on compliance around data collection and distribution that is at GDPR’s centre is being enforced by greater consequences than previously seen under the current Directive. However, the real intent of GDPR is not to generate fines but to create new behaviours around organisations approach to handling and processing personal data. In a world becoming more and more reliant on technology this should be viewed as a positive step forward.

An organisation’s ability to present evidence to regulators of its efforts to comply with GDPR will help reduce liability under Article 83 (General conditions for imposing administrative fines). Therefore it benefits an organisation to not just take measures to minimise potential consequences, but to embed an appropriate culture that embraces the principles of GDPR and enforce meaningful accompanying systems and controls.

There are six key principles governing the processing of personal data and implementing them should be a positive change for organisations. By better managing how data is used, organisations will be able to build greater trust and loyalty with their customers, which in turn should enhance their brand and the bottom line. Furthermore, this increase in trust and better management of the security of data will enable greater data sharing and better leveraging of Big Data, which will assist with product development and enhanced customer experience.

The six key principles are:

Lawfulness, fairness and transparency: the processing of personal data should follow regulation.

Purpose limitation: organisations should only collect personal data for specific, explicit and legitimate purposes.

Data minimisation: personal data should be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary for the purpose of processing.

Accuracy: personal data must be accurate and kept up-to-date, and corrected or deleted without delay when inaccurate.

Storage limitation: organisations must keep personal data in identifiable form only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes it was collected for.

Integrity and confidentiality: personal data must be secured by appropriate technical and organisational measures against unauthorised and unlawful processing, and against accidental loss, destruction or damage.

Organisations should think of GDPR in terms of the rights it grants their customers and the benefits that may flow from the trust that will build from it rather than just the potential threat it poses to them. By embracing GDPR’s principles, both organisations and customers alike have a lot to gain.

Credit:

Matt Sumpter, Underwriting Director for Technology and Cyber Risks

CNA Hardy

Click here for original link

 

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Ansvar Launch New Charity Insurance Products

Charity Protect has been developed for smaller or newly set-up charities, community interest companies social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations, that don’t carry out work abroad and have an annual income or turnover of up to £100,000.

The policy provides cover for public and products liability as well as various activities including fundraising events for up to 500 people, office and admin work and attendance of exhibitions, conferences and meetings to name a few. There are also other sections of cover which can be added if required, such as Legal Expenses, All Risks and Trustees and Directors indemnity.

Charity Protect Plus is their product for larger charities with an annual income or turnover of up to £1,500,000.

Like its sister product, this policy provides cover for public and products liability and a number of different activities including fundraising events for up to 1000 people, office and admin work and attendance of trade shows, seminars, the sales of second hand goods and other activities which benefit the charity. Again, there are additional sections that can be added to the policy including Professional Indemnity, Money and Employer’s Liability.

Call us on 01772 555585 for more information.

 

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NMU Launch new Computer Cyber Insurance

Cyber security has become a risk to all businesses

Today, virtually all businesses collect and store personal information about customers, employees and others. The frequency of data breaches – the theft, loss or mistaken release of private information, is on the rise. But data breaches aren’t just a big business problem; small and medium-sized businesses with fewer data security resources are particularly vulnerable.

Whilst data losses for small to medium-sized businesses may not make the headlines, the potential financial cost and reputational impact of a cyber incident can be crippling. Firms such as accountants and lawyers might be perceived to hold more sensitive data, but all businesses could be at risk from a cyber attack or data breach by hackers, viruses or errant employees. 74%* of small businesses having experienced a security breach.

In response to the growing demand for cyber insurance, NMU has added a computer, data and cyber policy to its suite of products. Specifically designed for small to medium-sized businesses, Computer Cyber Insurance offers broad coverage for cyber risks. Hardware (including portables) and data corruption cover provides protection for assets, whilst data breach expense, cyber crime, cyber liability and cyber event – loss of business income cover responds to cyber risks.

Policy benefits include:

  • Cover for the costs of dealing with data breaches and cyber liability claims
  • Cover for loss of business income from a cyber event
  • Cover that helps businesses deal with the impact of cyber crime
  • Cover for hardware and data corruption
  • Access to expert advice and support e.g. IT, legal, forensic and media relations when an incident occurs
  • Full claims support following an incident

Please get in touch with us 01772 555585 to discuss how this could affect your business and the protection available.

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BIBA says increase in IPT will hit JAMs and is outrageous

Over the past 15 months, policyholders have already seen an increase of 66% in the Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) they pay – this further increase to 12% in this regressive tax is outrageous and is a tax on protection which will hit everyone and especially those ‘just about managing’. We believe that this increase is contrary to the stated policy of HM Revenue and Customs “that IPT should make the required contribution to HM Government revenue while minimising the effect on the take up of insurance”. This increase comes at a time when both motor and home insurance premiums are rising and our fear is that many of those who most need it will avoid taking up insurance and be unable to afford the protection they need.