The Top Tips When Buying Community Group Insurance

The number of community groups is growing as local residents, businesses and communities get together to help make where they live and work safer and better places. This article gives community groups some top tips when buying community group insurance so they can make sure they are protected at all times.

The truth is community groups and other voluntary organisations are seldom set up to make money. Instead, they are run and managed with the aim of making a specific community a better place to live. This means that money is often tight and therefore essential purchases like insurance need to be kept to an absolute minimum. This does not however mean that community groups should assume the cheapest is best as getting the insurance cover they actually need is the most important thing.

So with the right but affordable community group insurance policy required, what do groups need to do to make sure they get the cover they need at a price that is right?

The first tip is really to make sure you understand what cover you actually need. As someone not working in insurance this is not always the easiest thing to establish so you could do this by actually getting in touch with a community group insurance specialists who should be able to point you in the right direction. If you are not sure what you need, find a specialist and ask them for their expert opinion. If you choose the right company, they should be able to tell you what you need, what you do not need and they should be able to give you an immediate indication of what level of premium you might expect to pay.

So if finding an expert is top tip number 1, how do you actually find a broker or insurance provider who specialises in community group insurance? Traditionally, if a community group or voluntary organisation was looking for an insurance quote, they would either walk up and down the high street or search through the yellow pages. However, all this pretty much guaranteed was you dealt with someone local and not someone necessarily an expert in your type of insurance.

The internet has changed how insurance is sourced and purchased so to find a community group insurance expert, a broker who specialises in charity insurance or any other specific type of insurance provider, simply get access to a computer, visit a search engine like Bing, Yahoo or Google and type in the sort of insurance you are after. You will be presented by a list of companies who offer exactly what you are after.

The final tip when looking to buy community group insurance is to make sure the company you do opt for is someone you are happy to look after your groups cover. The truth is we all prefer to do business with people we like and who we have a rapport with. If you ring a company up and get on well with the person you are speaking with and they give you good advice and are keen to help you then there is every chance you will deal with them providing they obtain a competitive premium and the right cover for you.

For any group looking to make a positive change to their community, getting the right level of community group insurance is vital. Follow these simple tips and you and your group can get the protection and peace of mind you need for less.


NCi Charity is Charity Insurance and Community Group Insurance Specialists and for details of their Community Group Insurance facilities or to get a charity insurance or community group insurance quote simply visit http://www.ncinsurance.co.uk/communitygroupinsurancequote.html

The Essential Tips When Buying Small Charity Insurance

Small charities account for the vast majority of charitable organisations. This article gives small charities some top tips to make sure they get the protection they need for less.

Insurance comparison websites can dress it up all the want but before we look at some top tips when buying small charity insurance let us be totally honest and up front about insurance. Insurance is not fun, insurance is not sexy and for most people and businesses, insurance is something they only really see the importance of when they have suffered a loss and need to make a claim.

The truth however is that insurance and insurance for small charities is essential as it gives them the peace of mind of knowing that they are firstly, lawful and secondly, protection in the event of a loss or accident occurring. Without the correct level of cover in place, a loss could otherwise leave a small charity in a position whereby they simply would not be able to carry on their sterling work.

What is clear is that many small charities have extremely small budgets and expenses such as charity liability insurance have to be kept to an absolute minimum. With this thought in mind, it would be very easy for charity trustees or managers to assume that the cheapest insurance premium is the best. If you are responsible for the purchase of small charity insurance then the first tip when it comes to buying your policy is not to assume that the cheapest premium is best. It can be but make sure your purchase decision is based on much more than price.

What you really need to make sure is that the policy you are purchasing is giving your small charity the protection it actually needs. You can actually make sure this is the case by tracking down a small charity insurance expert and ask them questions. Ask them if they think you need trustee indemnity insurance, ask them what level of public liability insurance they think you need and ask them what steps you could take to reduce your premiums. The second essential tip is therefore to ask questions.

The final tip when buying small charity insurance is to make sure the company you are the right company for you. By asking them questions you will be able to check how knowledgeable they are but more than that, do you like them, do you feel confident in what they are saying, are they well established and do they have a good credit rating?

Insurance for small charities is vital to make sure you, your volunteers, your trustees and your organisation is protected. Follow these essential tips and make sure the road to buying small charity insurance is a smooth one.

NCi Charity are Small Charity Insurance and Community Group Insurance Experts and for details of their Charity Insurance facilities or to get a charity liability insurance quote simply visit the Small Charity Insurance Experts at http://www.northerncounties.com/smallcharityinsurancequote.html

Childcare Providers and the Search for the Best Protection

With child safety and care never too far from the media and the minds of parents and educators this article looks at what nurseries and schools can do to make sure they get the right protection.

And in particular what they can do to get the right cover and premium looking for business insurance for their nursery or school.

In part 1 of this post we looked at 2 secrets that childcare providers could use to make sure they got the right insurance at the right price and in part 2 we look at 2 final tips to making sure they get the protection and peace of mind they need without paying too much for it.

Secret number 3 nurseries, schools and other childcare providers can use to get the best protection is ask questions. So many people ring around looking for Nursery insurance, Pre-School Insurance or Kindergarten Insurance and spend the entire conversation answering questions. The third secret is therefore ask questions to find out if the insurance broker or insurance company you are speaking to provides not only the right cover and premiums but also the right level of customer service and support.

Types of question you might want to ask include, if you suffer a loss and need to claim what will they do to help? Will they just give you a telephone number and leave you to deal with it on your own or will they help you so you claim is dealt with quickly and your claim is settled quickly and favourably? You might also want to find out if the insurance provider is experienced or specialises in nursery insurance or school insurance. You can do this by asking how long they have been trading and if they are an insurance broker, which insurance companies do they use. Finally, if they are insurance brokers you may want to find out if they are independent. That is, do they have access to different types of insurance policies and insurance companies or are they tied into using just one? And if they have access to just one, is this right for your school or nursery?

By getting answers to these types of questions you can then a make a decision on whether you would like to deal with them (and whether you trust them to act on your behalf.)

The final secret to making sure you get the best from your insurance provider is another which Nurseries, Pre-Schools or Kindergartens who are focusing just on price may neglect.

Nurseries, Pre-Schools and Kindergartens who make the decision on where to place their insurance on price alone should bear in mind that the cheapest premium is not always the best.

Whilst getting a low nursery business insurance or school business insurance premium is one of the most important things to look for, a really cheap premium without a combination of other factors is probably cheap for a reason. Things you may want to know about the insurance provider as well as their ability to get a cheap premium include, are they local? Are they friendly and approachable (we all like to do business with people and businesses we trust and like). Which insurance company will your be insured with? Have you heard of them? What is the excess or deductible? Making sure you know the excess and that it is affordable in case you do suffer a loss is vital.

A couple of other things you want to know and look for are do they have a good reputation and do they communicate the benefits of their products and service to you in a way you understand.

If you follow these 2 simple secrets as well as the 2 in part 1 of this article there is every chance your experience when dealing with Insurance for your Nursery, School or Kindergarten will improve. And whilst Insurance is unlikely to become your number 1 hobby there is every chance the cover you get will be what you want, the premiums you pay will be less than your nursery or school has paid previously and the service you receive will be one you would be happy in giving and one you would be happy to recommend.

There is nothing more important than making sure our children are protected at all times so good luck in your search for the best protection for your nursery or school.

Protecting Our Children Doesn't Have To Cost The Earth

What is the most important thing in your life? This could very well be different depending on where you live, your age and your personal circumstances but if you are a parent then the safety and welfare of your children is likely to be at the very top of your list.

This post looks at what nurseries and schools can do to protect our children without it costing the Earth.

When you drop your children off at nursery, kindergarten or school in the morning you are very much reliant on the teachers, staff and establishment making sure they a safe and protected until you pick them up at home time. The good news for parents and children alike is that the vast majority of nurseries and schools do in excellent job in making sure health and safety is paramount to them. And by performing such risk management tasks the chances of accidents occurring are reduced as can their nursery insurance and school insurance premiums.

Part 1 of this post looks at 2 other secrets that nurseries and schools can use to reduce their premiums with a further 2 secrets covered in part 2.

With literally thousands of insurance companies, insurance brokers and providers, nurseries, schools and other childcare providers are faced with a massive choice. So faced with decisions at every turn finding the right insurance cover is sometimes difficult.

This post will therefore give you some free advice that insurance providers rarely share with their customers. These few steps could help you find the cover that is best for you at the right premium and with the best service.

The first secret to making sure you get the nursery insurance and school insurance cover at the right premium is perhaps the one that most people will find hardest to believe but it really works.

When ringing around for nursery insurance quotes the chances are you will be asked what is your current premium or what is the best price you have had elsewhere.

The mistake most people make when asked this question is to not tell the person asking the question. However if you are asked the best price you have had, tell them.

Most people assume that by telling an insurance broker or insurance company your premium you are at a disadvantage. The truth is the opposite is true. Let me explain.

If you tell a good insurance provider the premium you have elsewhere they should have a good idea straight away whether the premium is too expensive, too cheap or about right. And knowing this information they can give you an immediate indication if they can get a lower premium for you. If the insurance broker or insurance company know they will not be able to help you they can tell you and save you time.

Another reason you should give them your premium is because most insurance companies will not give you the best price unless they have a premium to beat. Let me say that again, if you do not give your insurance broker or insurance company a price to beat, there is every chance you will not get the best premium. However, if you do tell them, they can often use this information when dealing with the insurance company which can ultimately save you money.

One final tip on this matter is, do not be tempted to make up a premium. For example, Mrs Buzz is looking for a Nursery Insurance quote and she has a best price of £2000.00. She wants to save some money so when asked the question of what is the best price you have had so far she decides to go in low at £1000.00. By Mrs Buzz doing this most companies will know the price seems low and because of this many will not provide a quote because they know they will not be competitive. However, had Mrs Buzz been honest and said £2000.00 there is every chance she could have saved some money on her nursery insurance.

Therefore Secret Number 1 when looking for nursery business insurance, school insurance or indeed any type of business insurance is be totally honest. Give it a go...it really works.

Secret number 2 is common sense but so many Nurseries and school fail to make sure it happens because they are focusing on the premium. Tip number 2 to ensure you get the right cover is therefore to use an insurance broker or company who has an understanding of your requirements.

You can often establish this by listening to what, how and how many questions they ask you. And how they react to what you are saying. If they enter into a conversation about your nursery or school it is very likely to be because the more information they have about your premises and needs, the better cover, premium and service they can provide you.

If the conversation is very scripted and they fail to understand what you are looking for or do not ask the type of questions you would expect there is every chance it is because they do not really understand what your school or nursery needs. If this is the case you risk not getting the right cover and ultimately not being correctly insured.

These first 2 secrets alone could save you time and save you money on your nursery insurance and school insurance premiums. And yet in part 2 of this article we will also give you 2 further ways in which you make sure have cover in place that can protect your children for less.

Northern Counties Insurance Brokers are The UK Leading Nursery Insurance Experts and Nursery Insurance is available from them by visiting http://www.northerncounties.com/nursery-insurance.php

4 Reasons Why Childcare Has To Improve

According to the latest results released by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (or OFSTED) 4% of childminders, nurseries and creche facilities were deemed as inadequate for inspections carried out between April 2006 and March 2007.

The good news of course is that 96% of childcare providers inspected were deemed as adequate or better with 3% rated as outstanding, 54% good and 39% satisfactory.

However for the 4% of childcare providers in the Getting on Well: Enjoying, Achieving and Contributing report who were judged to provide inadequate childcare some of the reasons citied for their rating included:

1. Insufficient range of toys and activities, so that children wander aimlessly

2. Adults with lack of knowledge of how to guide children's learning

3. Lack of regular observation

4. Lack of opportunities to engage children's interest

5. Poorly-organised environment

Another piece of good news from the report seems to be that once a childcare facility has been rated as inadequate steps are often put in place to bring it up to a satisfactory standard. This is highlighted by the fact that inspectors returned to almost 300 childcare providers who were previously deemed as unsatisfactory and upon re-inspection 85% of these had improved.

Clearly however the bad news is that 4% is 4% too many when it comes to inadequate childcare and therefore OFSTED, the Government and Childcare providers are working together to make sure standards improve.

The fact is most childcare facilities are run extremely well with hard working, dedicated and totally professional staff who love what they do and are good at their job. For the 4% of nurseries, childminders and crèches who remain unsatisfactory lessons could certainly be learnt from the vast majority who do such an excellent job in educating and looking after our children.

And for the good of our society as a whole it is imperative that standards amongst carers and educators of children continue to improve. This is because research shows that there is in many cases a direct link between high quality early years learning and care and improved intellectual, social and behavioural development in the future.

Mark Burdett, Marketing Manager of The UK Nursery Insurance Brokers Northern Counties had this to say about OFSTED’s latest results, “We provide Nursery Business Insurance and other types of Business Insurance to many different types of childcare providers and what strikes me most is how hard people in the childcare industry actually work. It is clear that if 4% of childcare providers aren’t meeting certain standards then improvements will need to be made but I don’t think the vast majority of parents should feel the need to unduly worry as the childcare facilities in the UK are amongst, if not the, best in the world.”

Mark went on to add, “Northern Counties provide protection and peace of mind in the form of Nursery Insurance and I know the vast majority of childcare providers are also doing all they can to make sure the children in their care are happy, safe and develop in the right way.”

Fancy earning more money every month?

They say that "money makes the world go around" so how would you like to earn more, every month, for next to no work?

Stupid question right? I mean, who wouldn't?

Well with the brand new Northern Counties Insurance Partner facilities you could find yourself receiving a sizeable monthly payment into your bank account for just referring friends, family or people you know who need Business Insurance to Northern Counties Insurance Brokers.

There's every chance we all know someone who needs Business Insurance so now is the perfect opportunity to refer them to The UK Business Insurance Broker and if they take a policy, you will benefit from a generous share of Northern Counties commission. Up to 5% in fact of the total premium could be yours for Business Insurance and Travel Insurance introductions and a massive 10% of the total premium for Landlord Insurance premiums.

If you're in a position to introduce people looking for highly competitive business insurance and you want to earn more money yourself every month then help is now at hand.

Types of business who maybe in a position to take advantage of the Northern Counties Insurance Partner scheme are:

Lettings Agents and Property Management companies - do you have clients who need Landlord Insurance?

Travel Agents - with the sale of Travel Insurance will holidays and flights set to be regulated in 2009 now could be the perfect time to introduce customers in need of Travel Insurance whilst earning a share of commission on each policy sold.

IFA's - as well as offering your clients financial advice you can now offer them another valuable service by introducing them to one of the UK's Leading Insurance Brokers. Your clients then benefit from highly competitive Business Insurance and you earn extra money.

To see how you can benefit by becoming an Insurance Partner of Northern Counties Insurance Brokers simply call Northern Counties on 0191 482 1219 or visit the Northern Counties Insurance Partners section on their website at www.northerncounties.com/insurance-partners.php

Is this the best insurance comparison tool ever?

As modern living becomes ever busier it is little wonder that more and more people are looking to internet comparison sites to find them the best deals on utilities, services and various other types of goods. This article looks at what the insurance industry and specifically business insurance providers are doing (or not) to address this need.

Let’s be totally honest before we look at what could be the best insurance comparison tool ever, people don’t like buying insurance. Yes it is without doubt one of the most essential purchases a business can make (the recent flooding in the UK has once again highlighted this) but it’s hardly an exciting process is it?

You may trawl the internet, fill our numerous forms, make several phone calls and answer the same questions over and over and over again. However this can be long and drawn out process which takes time and costs business owners money.

Therefore why aren’t there business insurance comparison tools on every search engine or insurance website? Well the truth is business insurance is a little more complex than buying a CD as believe it or not getting the cheapest price isn’t necessarily the only thing you want. Yes getting the cheapest premium is of course important as nobody likes to pay over the odds but when it comes to business insurance getting other things like the right cover, an affordable excess (or deductable) and help and advice can be just as important.

So this leads us onto what could indeed be the best comparison tool over for businesses looking for business insurance. This tool has been around for years and for businesses looking to compare different types of insurance it could save them time and money. Ladies and gentleman could in fact the best insurance comparison tool ever be an insurance broker?

Insurance Brokers have been around for years but for businesses who want to compare many different insurance companies and insurance products they could still well be the best tool around. For those insurance brokers who don’t like to be referred to as a tool I’m very sorry but the fact remains they do the same job (plus much more) than any online insurance comparison site.

So if you’re a business owner or someone who is responsible for the purchase of business or commercial insurance for your company you really have 3 options when it comes to buying your insurance. You could go direct to an insurance company who will quote their premium or you could go to an insurance broker who isn’t independent and they will quote you a premium from the one insurance company they deal with.

Alternatively, you could go to an independent insurance broker to help you with your business insurance. Find a good one and they will search the market to help you find the right insurance cover, the right excess and the right premium. Not only this because they are independent and aren’t tied into using just one insurance company, they can often find you more cover for less money.

If you want to compare business insurance why not take advantage of what could the best insurance comparison tool there is?

Useful Tips for Avoiding Flooding

The summer of 2007, in the United Kingdom at least, hasn't exactly been what many people and businesses would have hoped for. With record rainfall in many parts of the UK, people and businesses have had to deal with flooding, storm damage and in some cases fatalities.


So is Climate Change anything to do with this unusual summer weather and is it indeed something we should get used to on a more regular basis? Or is summer 2007 just a freak occurence that isn't likely to hit our homes and businesses more often?


If you read the press or watch the news then unfortunately there seems no definative answers to these questions so whilst the "experts" are looking into why these storms and flooding has occured, Northern Counties Insurance Brokers have come up with these useful tips on how you can help avoid flooding for your business.


PRE LOSS

1) Ensure where possible all electrical equipment and stock is stored at least four feet above ground
2) Turn off electrical equipment apart from burglar alarms
3) Turn off the supply to central heating units if at ground floor
4) Move vehicles to high ground if possible
5) Sand bag the premises if there is a high exposure to potential flooding
6) Consider constructing gullies to funnel water to drains
7) Clear all drains and gutters on and around the premises
8) Move high value items away from unmanned premises



POST LOSS

1) Remove debris where possible. If the debris is in any way contaminated, you may need to contact the emergency services
2) Save items of value for inspection
3) If stranded, contact the emergency services immediately
4) Allow ventilation to the premises if possible
5) Consider up to £500 of emergency repairs to mitigate future losses
6) Take all appropriate and reasonable measures to protect the premises from future damage or theft
7) Notify your insurance broker or insurance company as soon as possible


2007 has so far seen many people and businesses suffer due to storm and flood damage so hopefully these few tips will help try and prevent this happening to you in the future.

Solicitor Insurance - The 2007 Solicitor Professional Indemnity Insurance Season Has Begun

For the vast majority of people October 1st every year has no particular significance. In fact it’s just another day of the year. For Solicitors and legal professionals in the UK though the date is a little more memorable. October 1st is when (for most) if they haven’t sorted their Professional Indemnity Insurance for the coming year they simply cannot trade.

So with their very livelihood dependant on an insurance policy it seems with summer (yeah right!) now upon us a few signs that the Solicitor Insurance season is under way have started to show.


Solicitor Insurance season is with us reason 1 – Go to your favourite search engine (Google, Yahoo, MSN, ASK etc) and type in Insurance Solicitor (according to Yahoo in May 2007 this was the most typed in phrase or keywords for Solicitor Professional Indemnity or Insurance for Solicitors).

What you’ll find is a whole host of insurance companies all advertising or promoting their facilities for the current season. Insurance brokers and insurance companies alike all fighting to get the best position and get their name ahead of their competitors. A sure sign indeed that the Solicitor PI season is well underway.


Solicitor Insurance season is with us reason 2 – Pick up your favourite legal magazine or visit your favourite legal website (Solicitors Journal, The Lawyer, Legal Week, Legal Day etc) and like with the search engines you’ll notice a few changes in the type of advertisement contained within the publication or on the site. These will range from companies you’ve heard of and with a global brand or smaller, independent companies who all ultimately want the same thing – to quote for your forthcoming Solicitor Insurance and hopefully to place your business.


Solicitor Insurance season is with us reason 3 - This applies if you’re actually working for one of the insurance brokers or insurance companies looking to provide Solicitor PI Insurance. You’d have noticed the start of the PI season as there’s every chance you’d have been contacted by magazines in recent months asking if you wanted to advertise your services with them. In fact you may continue to be contacting right up until October 1st with that offer of a last minute deal that is only available until the end of the day and that if you don’t sign up by then you’ll never get that rate again! Like the DFS sale yeah?


The truth is that unless you’re a solicitor the above will have no real relevance or indeed interest to you. And if truth be known even if you are a solicitor there’s still every chance it’s of little interest to you at this precise moment in time. After all with holidays, work, family, flooding, Wimbledon and a million and one other things to occupy your mind and time, insurance (and even your vital solicitor insurance) is only really important when you’re either looking to buy it (so perhaps round about now but maybe not quite yet) or when you’re looking to make a claim.

If neither of these apply to you then thanks for getting this far and have a great summer (if it ever arrives). If you need to make a claim I suggest you contact your current insurance provider. If however you need a quote for your solicitors professional indemnity insurance then pick up your favourite legal magazine, get on the internet and search or maybe, just maybe visit http://www.solicitorpi.com/ and see how they can help you.

The 2007 Solicitor Professional Indemnity Insurance Season Has Begun so Happy Shopping.

Childcare Costs continue to rise but what about Nursery Insurance?

Protection, safety, education and care for children seemingly comes’ at a price as childcare costs for pre-school children continues to rise. This article looks at what nurseries, day cares, kindergartens’ and out of school clubs can do to help keep their costs under control by saving money.

According to the Daycare Trusts Childcare Costs Survey 2007, childcare costs for pre-school children in England continue to steadily rise. An example being that for a child under the age of 2 in England, the typical cost of a full time nursery place has risen by 6% in the past year to £7900 per year (or £152 per week).

And the typical out of school club is now £38 for 15 hours in England and Scotland with the cost £34 for out of school clubs in Wales.

So if parents are having to pay more for child care facilities it would seem logical that nurseries and other child care providers would look at making sure they remain competitive by making sure their own expenditure is constantly reviewed and kept in order.

On such way in which nurseries can possible make savings (which in turn could be passed onto customers) is to reduce the amount they pay for nursery business insurance. And yet with so many insurance companies and insurance brokers all trying to secure business (with offers of low cost insurance) it can sometimes be hard for nurseries and nursery owners to know in which direction to turn to ensure they not only get the right premium but also the right cover, service and experience from their insurance provider.

Help is now however available to nurseries in the form of specialist nursery insurance products available from the likes of Northern Counties Insurance Brokers. Specialist nursery insurance policies allow nurseries to benefit from business insurance cover tailored to their exact needs. This means that nurseries, day care, pre-schools, kindergartens and out of school clubs can pick and choose exactly what cover they want (rather than having cover they don’t really need). The result being that they can save time (as an insurance broker like Northern Counties will search the market for them) and ultimately save money on their nursery insurance.

Another benefit of using a specialist nursery insurance broker is that because they have experience of the pre-school sector they can offer you advice and guidance on health and safety and risk management that could not only reduce your exposure to risk but once again reduce your nursery insurance premiums.

Nursery Insurance Brokers like Northern Counties often also employ dedicated in-house claims managers so if you and your nursery so suffer a loss and need to make a claim they will work on your behalf to make sure it is settled as quickly and as favourably as possible.

So with fast nursery insurance quotes available online or on the phone it has never been easier for nurseries to see how much they can save on their nursery insurance. A simply visit to a website or phone call could see massive insurance savings, expert advice and a fast and friendly service.

Whilst other forms of insurance are very often only decided on price the benefit of using a nursery insurance expert is that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for a lower premium. If anything the opposite is actually true as many nursery experts have years of experience and knowledge of the pre-school sector so you can quality all the way.

And with parents looking for more in terms of service and quality from nurseries, there is no reason why nurseries shouldn’t also look for the same from their service providers.

Just because the cost of childcare continues to rise it doesn’t mean the cost of your nursery business insurance has to as well so shop around, find an expert and see how you and your nursery can benefit.

How to find low cost Charity Insurance

If you run, manage or are responsible for a charities budget you’ll know more than most just how important every penny is. And if your job is also to make sure your Charity gets the very best deal on your Charity Insurance then these tips from the UK Social Welfare Insurance Broker could be just what you need.

To start with it’s important to remember that all types of charity, voluntary and not-for-profit organization could be saving money on their charity insurance and liability insurance premiums. From registered charities employing hundreds of staff to community and voluntary groups on a much smaller scale help could now be at hand.

And regardless of your organizations size and budgets if you follow these simple but highly effective tips the amount you pay for your Charity Insurance could be less than ever before. All without having to sacrifice coverage, excess and service.

The first tip when looking for Charity Insurance is therefore to use an insurance provider who actually understands your needs. It’s all very well buying a one size fits all insurance policy but does it actually give you the cover you need? Ultimately that is what your charity or organization actually needs so make sure you use a company or insurance broker who understands what you need, can offer you advice and guidance aimed at reducing your exposure to risk and who has the facilities to tailor a policy to your specific needs and in the process can reduce your premiums.

And if using a Charity Insurance expert is most likely to bring about you getting the right insurance cover for your charity for less, how can you find these so called Charity Insurance experts?

Well the internet has certainly made this job easier as a simple search using a search engine is likely to yield a list of experts in all types of insurance. However a company saying they are experts for charity insurance is no guarantee that they actually are! Therefore it’s probably best to pick up the phone and actually ask them a few questions. That’s right, ask questions rather than just wait for them to ask you. This way you can find out what makes them experts and how you can benefit from using them. Ask things such as, who do they use? How long have they been providing charity insurance? What experience do they have? Do this and your chances of finding the right charity insurance for your organization is likely to increase – and whilst your insurance premiums don’t!

Another tip which could help you save money on your charity insurance is one which at first sight may not seem right but give it a go and there’s every chance it will work. Tip number 2 when it comes to finding low cost charity insurance is therefore to be totally honest when you are asked what you are paying for your insurance at the moment. Most people when asked such a question by an insurance company or insurance broker won’t tell them. They think that by doing so they are somehow unlikely to get the best quote in return. The truth is you are far more likely to get the best quote if the company has a price to beat. That doesn’t mean that you should make up a price as if the price you give is too low there’s every chance the insurance provider will know this and in many cases won’t be able to beat it – or indeed quote.

If you follow these 2 simply but highly effective tips there is every chance the price you pay for your charity insurance will reduce. Give it a go and see if it works.

How to find low cost Charity Insurance has been produced by Mark Burdett, Marketing Manager of Northern Counties Insurance Brokers – The UK Social Welfare Insurance Brokers and Charity Insurance Experts. For further information on Charity Insurance visit www.northerncounties.com/charity-insurance.php

Solicitor Insurance - 4 Secrets to a Happier October 1st - Part 4

As a solicitor, lawyer or someone responsible to sorting out Solicitor Insurance you’ll know the importance of October 1st in the calendar as it’s the date in which you need Solicitors Professional Indemnity Insurance in force to continue practicing.

With this date firmly in mind you’ll therefore appreciate the importance of getting your solicitor insurance sorted well in advance so you can relax in the knowledge that it’s sorted and out of the way (for another year at least).

This fourth and final secret to getting the best deal on your solicitors insurance is another that at first glance may not seem right but in order to get the best value for money it is one you may want to consider.

Secret number 4 is therefore don’t assume the cheapest premium is the best. Don’t get me wrong getting a good premium (and saving money on your solicitor insurance) is what we’re all looking for but a really cheap premium without a number of other factors is probably cheap for a reason.

Some things you may want to look for in addition to a competitive premium include:

- Have you heard of the insurance broker and/or insurance company?

- Are they local?

- Are they friendly and approachable (remember we all like doing business with people we like and feel we can trust)?

- What is the excess? Make sure the excess is one you agree on and one you can afford and not one just given to you to reduce the premium

- Do they have a good reputation?

- Do they offer you advice or seem to have some understanding of your business and solicitor insurance?

- Do they listen to you and explain things in a way you can understand? The insurance industry is filled with jargon so make sure the company you choose explains things clearly so you know what cover you’ve got, what you have to do in the event of a claim and how they will work for you.


The run up to October 1st can be a stressful time for solicitors as many play the waiting game in the hope that insurance premiums will fall and they can benefit from premium savings.

And whether you and your firm falls into this camp or the other type of firm who prefers to get their solicitor professional indemnity insurance sorted in good time you have nothing to fear.

If you follow any of these secrets to getting the best deal on your solicitor insurance then the chances are your insurance dealings will be easier, the time you save can be put to better use elsewhere and the premiums you pay will be less than ever before.

For further information on Solicitor Insurance visit www.solicitorpi.com or www.northerncounties.com/solicitors-insurance.php

Solicitor Insurance - 4 Secrets to a Happier October 1st - Part 3

Pinch punch first day of the month, no returns. Well for solicitors and lawyers looking for Solicitor Insurance on October 1st each year (the date when most policies are due for renewal) the Solicitors Insurance season often brings with it a fight between various insurance brokers and insurance companies fighting for a slice of the Solicitor Insurance PI (well the Professional Indemnity Insurance PI anyway).

One of the UK’s Leading Solicitor Insurance Brokers has however produced 4 Secrets that if followed could mean solicitors and legal firms can benefit from saving time, saving money and not having to deal with any pinches or punches – and no returns!

This article looks at the third secret in a series of 4 which solicitors looking for the best deal on their Solicitor Insurance should read. Here goes:

Secrets 1 and 2 focused on being honest regarding price and making sure you use experts to provide your Solicitor Professional Indemnity Insurance. Secret number 3 though actually looks at something you can do to make sure you find the right insurance provider and ultimately the right policy for the right price.

The third secret is to making sure you get the best deal and service is to ask questions. So many solicitors, lawyers and people in the legal profession ring around looking for solicitor insurance and spend the entire conversation answering questions. Secret 3 is therefore to ask questions to find out if the insurance provider you are speaking to not only offers you the right cover and premiums but also the right level of customer service.

Types of question you might want to ask are:

- In the event of a claim what will they do to help you and to ensure your claim is settled as quickly and as favourably as possible?

- Do they just give you a telephone number and leave you to it or do they offer help when you most need it?

- Are they experienced?

- How long have they been trading?

- If it’s a Broker, which Insurance companies do they use?

- Again, if they are Insurance Brokers are they independent? That is, do they have access to numerous policies and insurance companies or are they tied into just one?

By getting answers to these questions you can then a make a decision on whether you would like to deal with them (and whether you trust them to act on your behalf). We all prefer to do business with people and firms we trust and like so ask question and make sure you and your firm gets the best deal and service possible when buying your Solicitor Insurance.

Motor Trader Insurance - 4 ways in which an Insurance Broker can help your business

Before we start to look at why using an insurance broker could be the perfect way to buy your Motor Trader Insurance let’s start off with a few supposed truths about the insurance industry.

Number 1 – Let’s be honest from the beginning and just say it – most people don’t like insurance. For most people losses rarely occur and therefore they are paying out insurance premiums year on year and yet they don’t actually see any real benefit of it.

Number 2 – Most people (even those who have suffered a loss and have made a claim) see insurance as too expensive with actual insurance companies seen as money grabbing and having no purpose other than to make money.

Number 3 – People see insurance as either boring and sold by men in suits or sold using annoying advertising on the television promising cheap or the cheapest insurance and delivering call centres who seemingly have replaced customer service with queues and staff who don’t really know what they are talking about.

If you’re a Motor Trader who needs to purchase Motor Trade Insurance and any of the 3 points above ring a bell with you then you really need to read on and discover just 4 reasons why using an insurance broker could be just what you need when you next buy your business insurance.

The first reason for using an insurance broker is that they can save you time. Yes you could spend time trawling the internet, thumbing through the yellow pages or ringing around a selection of insurance companies but you could also contact just 1 insurance broker and let them do the work for you. As a motor trader I’m sure you’re time could be put to better use elsewhere anyway.

The second reason why you might want to use an insurance broker when purchasing motor trader insurance is that providing they are independent (that is they have access to more than one policy) they can search to find you the very best cover. Cover that in some cases isn’t available anywhere else.

Another reason for choosing an insurance broker is that they can very often provide you with a level of service that you won’t find elsewhere. Go direct with an insurance company and there’s every chance you’ll be faced with queues, call centres and people without a real understanding of your needs. However choose the right insurance broker who understands the motor trade and you can benefit from advice and guidance aimed at reducing your exposure to risk. And in the event of a loss occurring they will even act on your behalf to make sure your claim is settled quickly and favourably.

The fourth and final reason why using an insurance broker could be just what you need when buying motor trade insurance is that they could save you money and we’d all no doubt like to be paying less for our insurance. A good broker will therefore be able to take advantage of the facilities they have with the leading insurance companies so you benefit from the cover, the service, the time savings and the premium savings all from the same source.

Motor Trade Insurance doesn’t have to complicated or expensive so find the right broker and make sure the price is right for your Business Insurance.

For more information about Motor Trade Insurance visit Northern Counties Insurance Brokers at http://www.northerncounties.com/motor-trade-insurance.php

Northern Counties – The UK’s Business Insurance Broker

Is the BBC bucking the trend with its Nursery closures?

In light of the recent news that the BBC will be saving more than £4 million by the closure of its workplace nurseries this article looks at if this fate is likely to hit more nurseries or if the BBC is bucking the trend.

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the BBC’s decision to spend the £4.1 million saved from nursery closures on programming or not, the closure of 7 subsidised nurseries would at first glance appear to be against the norm.

In fact closing of nurseries would appear to be the complete opposite of what is actually required if figures available from the likes of the Department of Education (DfES) are to be believed. Figures such as:

1. The proportion of 3 and 4 year olds in nurseries and pre school education in the UK has risen by nearly 45% since 1970 (in 1970-71 it was 21% compared to 65% in 2003/04)

2. The number of nurseries in the UK continues to rise with now close to 15,000 nurseries

3. There are nearly 1.5 million child care places in the UK with an average of 46 places available per nursery

So with figures such as these combined with people working longer hours, more women working longer than ever (45% of women work over 40 hours a week) and a seemingly lack of childcare providers the trend would in fact be towards more nursery staff, more nursery places and more nurseries.

And of course with an increase in nurseries come with it the need for more service providers to the education and nursery sectors. Included in these will be insurance brokers who specialise in nursery insurance like Northern Counties Insurance Brokers.

So then if you own, manage or run a nursery and you agree that the future for UK nurseries looks good then look no further than Northern Counties for all your Nursery Insurance needs or simply visit http://www.northerncounties.com/nursery-insurance.php for request a quick nursery insurance quote from their website.

Northern Counties – The UK’s Nursery Insurance Broker

Motor Trade Insurance - Is The Price Right?

If you’re a Motor Trader you’ll know more than anyone just how price sensitive the automotive industry can be. And as Motor Trade Insurance is likely to be one of your companies biggest outgoings paying the right price for your Motor Trader Insurance is going to be vital.

Whilst the UK has benefited from a pretty stable financial environment in recent years with rising house prices, low interest rates and many companies making money there now maybe signs of a change. During 2006 interest rates rose steadily and with 1 rate rise in 2007 already (and with more forecast as the year progresses) there is every chance that there will be less disposable income in the UK economy.

So what will this mean for consumers and Motor Traders?

Well for consumers it could mean they have less money to spend on new cars, second cars or indeed on the servicing and repair of existing vehicles. There is also every chance that as value for money becomes more of an issue they will shop around to secure the best price and service.

And when Motor Traders Insurance policies come due for renewal there is every chance they too will start looking around to secure the best deal on their Motor Trade Insurance. And if indeed money is an issue it is very easy for companies in the motor industry to opt for the cheapest is best option. After all, isn’t one type of Business Insurance pretty much the same as all the others?

Well for Motor Traders in the UK I would urge you to proceed with caution as whilst low cost motor trade insurance is available from many different insurance providers you don’t want to leave yourself in a position without the right level of cover or the right insurance excess (or deductable).

For many motor traders the best option to take when buying motor trade insurance for the first time or when their current motor trader insurance comes due for renewal would be to consult the services of an insurance broker. An insurance broker who specializes in motor trade insurance can search the market to find you the right cover at the right price so you not only save time – but you also save money.

In the event of you needing to make a claim they can also help you get the claim settled quicker and more favourably. A good insurance broker should give you advice and make sure you only pay for the insurance cover you need and want.

Motor Trade Insurance doesn’t have to complicated or expensive so find the right broker and make sure the price is right for your Business Insurance.

For more information about Motor Trade Insurance visit Northern Counties Insurance Brokers at http://www.northerncounties.com/motor-trade-insurance.php

Northern Counties – The UK’s Business Insurance Broker

Business Insurance – Top 10 Tips to getting the right Insurance for your Business

1. Be honest. It may sound the most obvious statement but forgotten or inaccurate information could affect your insurance at a later date. Your motto should be, if in doubt, disclose it. Whether you’ve had a small bump in a supermarket car park or have made a claim against your liability insurance - tell your insurance broker or company up front or when it happens


2. Use an insurance broker if you can’t spare the time to phone or shop around yourself. An insurance broker will search a large number of leading insurers for you so you could save money as well as time. When deciding which insurance broker to use things to look for are:

- Are they well established?

- Do they have facilities with the leading insurance companies?

- Are their staff experienced and do they understand your industry?


3. Choose your insurance provider carefully. A recent survey conducted by Holden Pearmain, the market research company, showed that 63% of small and medium sized businesses (SME’s) preferred using a local supplier when it came to choosing their insurance provider. And 42% surveyed felt using an insurance broker was the best way to get the best deal. When choosing your insurance provider look for a company that understands your needs and has facilities with leading insurance companies to ensure you get the right cover, at the right price.


4. Make sure you are covered correctly. Insurance can be confusing so if you are unsure of anything, ask your broker or insurance company before taking out a policy. They are the experts so take advantage of their knowledge.


5. Increase your excess. If you’re looking to reduce your premium without sacrificing cover, you could opt for an additional voluntary excess on top of your compulsory excess. By increasing your excess you could reduce your premium.


6. Make sure your premises are secure. Many insurers will only offer cover on certain premises if they are fitted with a certain level of security. Find out the exact type of security your premises has as this could reduce your premium.


7. Consider putting all your insurance policies with the same insurance broker or company. Not only will this make your administration far easier, but you may also qualify for discounts for having more than one policy with them. Certain insurance brokers and companies also offer discounts for recommending them to your friends and family. If in doubt, ask.

8. The cheapest isn’t always the best. As insurance isn’t a “sexy” purchase, many businesses opt for the cheapest is best option. Don’t always assume this is the case. Make sure the policy you buy gives you the level of cover you require. Don’t leave it until you make a claim to find out if the policy meets your needs. Make a list of what you need from an insurance policy and make sure the policy you buy includes it.


9. Don’t forget the additional cover. When buying insurance for your business, remember that there are several types of additional cover that maybe offered to you. Whilst not all of these will be necessary, there are certain types of cover that maybe of real benefit to you. Some examples of these include:

- Legal Protection

- Personal Accident

- Directors & Officers Liability

- Public & Employers Liability

- Business Travel

- Key Person Insurance


10. Don’t worry. Buying insurance for your business can be a minefield with so many insurance providers and insurance policies available. However, there is no need to worry as providing you choose the right insurance provider, they should have the experience and expertise to guide you through your options and make sure you get the best deal.


For further information on Business Insurance visit http://www.northerncounties.com/ where you can now get instant online insurance quotes for all types of Commercial Insurance.

Northern Counties – The UK's Business Insurance, Nursery Insurance, Care Home Insurance, Motor Trade Insurance and Liability Insurance Broker.

Setting up a new Nursery - Avoid the common mistakes when starting out in the Nursery World - Part 2

Setting up a new Nursery, Pre School, Kindergarten or Day Care Centre can be a risky business with success not always guaranteed. If you're interested in setting up in business in the Nursery World here is some advice to help you avoid the common mistakes.

In Part 1 of setting up a new Nursery we looked at how important researching the Nursery market was along with making sure you get your finances right from the very beginning.

This next instalment will deal with 2 further issues that anyone looking to open their own nursery, Pre School, kindergarten or day care centre needs to know. They are Business Plans and your Competitors.

1. Nursery Business Plans

Your Business Plan really goes hand in hand with market research and finances. Do your research so you know how many children your new Nursery is going to have as this will have a direct effect on how many staff you need, what size premises you need and how much you can charge parents. And ultimately how much money you need to borrow.

When it comes to writing Business Plans many people over forecast what the first year is likely to bring. You have to be realistic in that if this is your first venture into owning and running your own nursery it will take time for people to become aware of what you have to offer. Work hard in the first 12 months and you could well have a full nursery at the end of year one. Don't assume you're going to full from day one though and make sure this is reflected in your Business Plan.

And how are you actually going to get children into your Nursery? Include in your business plan a simple marketing strategy like a SWOT analysis to show people how serious you are about your new venture.

A SWOT analysis looks at your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Your strengths might be your location or your vast experience of the Nursery World. Your opportunities might be that having checked the census you know there will be a real demand for Nursery places in your location.

Your weaknesses might include that you’re a new start business whilst your threats are likely to include other nurseries, pre schools, kindergartens and day care centres.

Ultimately your goal with be to turn your weaknesses and threats into strengths and opportunities and on that note let's look at one of your main threats – your competitors.

2. Your Competitors

Unless your extremely lucky you're likely to have other nurseries, pre schools, kindergartens and day care centre in the area all wanting the provide a service to the same children and parents as you. So what can you do to make your Nursery stand out from crowd? And what shouldn't you do?

Here are just a few tips:

Make sure you:

a. Focus on the benefits not the features of your Nursery and tell parents and anyone with an interest in your new Nursery how they would benefit from using you. If you have a new purpose built Nursery then explain exactly what this means – your children will be safe and secure and will benefit from the latest learning tools.

b. Have a unique selling point (USP). As a new start nursery standing out from your competitors will be vital. Your USP might be your location, it might be the quality and qualifications of your staff or it might be that your have extremely competitive rates or low staff to child ratios. Whatever it is – tell everyone and make sure you constantly tell them.

And when it comes to your competitors:

c. Don't tell people how bad your competitors are. Instead just focus on the positives of using your new Nursery and let the people decide.

d. Don't forget that you can learn from them. If they do something well then do it as well – but do it better.

e. Remember that to stand out from your competitors you can join trade associations, become involved with the local community, chamber of commerce or make sure the service providers you use are experts in their fields.

One such nursery expert can be your Insurance Broker. They can provide you with risk management advice and make sure your new nursery, your staff and your children are protected and have peace of mind. A fact of life is that accidents can and do sometimes happen. Make sure you get Nursery Insurance that is tailored to your new nurseries needs. Business Insurance for nurseries (even new nurseries) doesn't have to complicated so get advice and guidance from a nursery insurance broker and make sure your new nursery, pre school, kindergarten or day care centre starts as you mean to go on.

In the final part of Setting up a new Nursery – Avoid the common mistakes when starting up in the Nursery World we'll look at some top tips to make sure your nursery opening goes to plan.

Visit http://www.northerncounties.com/nursery-insurance.php for more information on Nursery Insurance

Setting up a new Nursery – Avoid the common mistakes when starting up in the Nursery World – Part 1

Setting up a new Nursery, Pre School, Kindergarten or Day Care Centre can be a risky business with success not always guaranteed. If you're interested in setting up in business in the Nursery World here is some advice to help you avoid the common mistakes.

So you've finally decided to go it alone and set up your own Nursery. Well congratulations on making this big decision and good luck in your new venture. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

1. Do your research

Market research for any new start business is vital and this certainly applies to people considering setting up in the Nursery World. It may have been your life long ambition to set up and run your own Nursery but is it really a viable option?

In fact is there even a demand for a Nursery, Pre School, Kindergarten or Day Care Centre in the location you're planning on opening one? You can check the census to find out local birth rates and the number of children of nursery age in the area.

The internet, local councils, libraries and speaking to people in the area you're planning on opening your new nursery can all give you valuable information into what is required.

Finally on the matter of research it's important to remember that many new start businesses and new nurseries fail because there is simply no demand for them. Check out your competition and never forget that without enough children actually attending your nursery may well be doomed before you even begin.


2. Get your finances right

So if your dream is to open and run a nursery, pre school, kindergarten or day care centre and you've done your market research to establish a need in the area then getting your finances right from the start is also vital.

Make sure your business plan (we'll look more at business plans for Nurseries in Part 2) is realistic and takes into account that it takes time to establish a good reputation for a new nursery.

And on the subject of finances getting professional advice for your new venture will also come in handy. Accountants and financial advisors can help you with your borrowings and making sure you manage your money effectively.

You might also want to consider using an Insurance Broker for your Nursery Business Insurance. An Insurance Broker who specialises in Nursery Insurance will be able to help you with risk management advice and make sure you only pay for the Nursery Insurance cover your need. Save Money on your Nursery Insurance premiums and get the protection and peace you and your new nursery needs.

In Part 2 of Setting up a new Nursery – Avoid the common mistakes when starting up in the Nursery World we'll look at Nursery Business Plans, Competitors and other common mistakes from new start Nurseries.

Visit http://www.northerncounties.com/nursery-insurance.php for more information on Nursery Insurance