Health, Healthcare and related industries, which includes such businesses as pharmaceuticals, nursing homes, hospital supplies and prosthetics, continue to be at the forefront of public debate and increased Government attention. Even the slightest anomaly in product or process can now have the severest effect on a company's viability and it is essential therefore that the closest attention is given to ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage, particularly in the areas of Product and Public Liability.

Material Damage

For any Business, obtaining the correct cover for its assets (Buildings, Contents, Stock etc.) is extremely important and it is nearly always the first insurance to be considered. Care should be taken to ensure that all the relevant facts are always disclosed, such as the Condition of the Property and Electrics, Method of Heating, Occupation, Security and Storage Arrangements, particularly if these change during the course of a year. This can be a wide and surprisingly complex area of insurance and to ensure comprehensive coverage consultation with an insurance professional is advised as a full understanding of the policy and its limitations is essential. Often cover should be extended to include perils such as Theft, Subsidence and Terrorism and ideally policies should be tailored individually to suit all the relevant business requirements. Geographical considerations should also be taken into account as the standard cover normally applies only to specific premises. Wider cover can be available to include anywhere in the UK or indeed Worldwide.

Employers Liability

Since 1969 the Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act has required every employer carrying on a business, trade or profession to take out and maintain insurance against liability for bodily injury or disease sustained by their employees, arising out of, and in the course of their employment. The minimum requirement by law is £2 million. In practice, however, insurers do not issue policies in the UK for less than £10 million.

Public/Products Liability

The purpose of Public/Products Liability is to indemnify the policyholder under their legal liability, should they or their products cause death, bodily injury and/or loss of or damage to material property of a Third Party or Parties. Cover can be arranged for goods and services sold in the UK and/or on a Worldwide basis. This cover can be the most important section for any business as often the "buck stops here" and not having the right cover could cause financial ruin with the sheer numbers of potential claimants or the extreme awards now being made by the Courts. Extensions to the policy cover can include Product Recall, Product Contamination or Clinical Trials.

Business Interruption

A Fire, Flood or other such disasters can cause financial ruin for any business. Whilst Insurers will pay for the repairs to the premises or replacement equipment, it could be months before the premises are re-inhabitable during which time no production can take place and the existing financial commitments undoubtedly remain. Loss of Gross Profit cover would ensure the business remains viable. Additional extensions to the policy can cover Suppliers Premises, and/or Research and Development Costs.

Professional Indemnity/Medical Malpractice Insurance

Cover is available to protect the company from acts of negligence, such as poor design, inappropriate advice, or incorrect treatment from any member of staff. This provides protection should any of your clients pursue a claim against the company. Treatment Risks are sometimes covered under a standard "package" contract but particular care should be taken to ensure that the Insurer is fully aware of and understands the treatments that are being carried out.

Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual Property Rights include patents, registered designs, registered trademarks and copyright material in addition to creative new ideas and inventions. The insurance here provides finances to protect Rights once an infringement has occurred.

Loss of Licence/Registration

Many commercial decisions are made after careful planning or market research, however no one can guarantee that your licence or registration will not be withdrawn or renewed and the value of such business could be vastly affected. Insurance cover is available to provide compensation for the loss of some of this value.

Crime/Fidelity Insurance

It is possible to provide cover against the dishonesty of your employees for the misappropriation of company monies or other commercial valuables. Extensions in cover can include ex-employees and employees of out-sourced companies. Traditionally cover under this type of insurance has not been available for Theft by non employees. However, now with the increased dependency on computers and in particular access to businesses via the Internet wider cover is available.

Directors & Officers Insurance

The Companies Act 1985 alone sets out more than 200 offences for which a director can be personally liable. Add to this the numerous other offences under Health & Safety, Environmental and Financial Services Acts and it can be seen how important it is to consider this type of insurance cover. The Insurance cover protects the personal assets of company directors and officials.

Legal Expenses

Commercial Legal Expenses Protection is becoming increasingly important to small and medium size businesses. This policy provides access to expert advice and assistance in resolving a number of different areas and if necessary will pay for the cost of legal fees and/or accountancy fees to conclude the dispute. Typical areas of cover, which often can be bought as a package include, Contract, Employment, Data Protection, Criminal Prosecution Defence, Property Protection and VAT Disputes. For larger companies wide cover is available for each specific area.

Cover can also be obtained for "After the Event" Litigation. A range of solutions is available for those who wish to pursue their legal rights through litigation.

Engineering

Plant and Machinery such as Lifts, Steam Boilers, and other similar equipment have a statutory requirement for the plant to be inspected. Insurance cover for the equipment, the damage that is caused on failure and the statutory inspection is available under a single policy. Often the policy can be extended to cover Breakdown or Loss of Income/Production.

Motor Insurance

Motor insurance is a legal requirement under the Road Traffic Act and as such all companies that own or operate vehicles require cover. Polices are available on single, multi-vehicle or Fleet Basis.

Employee Benefits

Every company should give careful consideration to their employees' Conditions of Service. Click here for details of the various types of Employee Benefits available.