Office Insurance – Avoiding the pitfalls

by Tony on 02/06/2011 in Office Insurance

Office insurance policies generally offer a high level of cover at a reasonable premium. Most office insurance packages will meet the needs of the majority of businesses by combining insurance for all the major contingencies, such as loss or damage to office contents and computers, public and employers’ liability and business interruption.

There are however a number of pitfalls that need to be avoided to ensure that the insurers provide settlement in the event of a claim.

• Shared offices i.e. offices which are not self-contained cause some insurers a major problem and in our experience the majority of insurers are not prepared to offer cover. We tend to find that the limited number of insurers who do offer cover will restrict the insurance for theft to claims involving forcible violent entry or exit to the premises. Insurers do this as they are not prepared to provide cover for items that mysteriously disappear. It is therefore very important that you let your insurers know if you are office sharing.

• It is also of the utmost importance that your insurers are aware of all the business activities. An office insurance policy will generally only cover work of a clerical nature. If there is any element of manual work it is unlikely that you will be covered in the event of a claim for public or employers liability.

• All office insurers will impose a minimum level of security. This is normally imposes or requirement for a 5 level mortice deadlock on the final exit door and window locks fitted on all accessible windows. If there is a break-in and the minimum level of security is not complied with, the insurers are unlikely to settle a theft claim.

For more information regarding office insurance, please contact Senior Client Manager David Mann on 0118 9452944 or complete one of our enquiry forms.

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