10 December 2019
All you need to know about Caravan Insurance this Winter

All you need to know about Caravan Insurance this Winter

The sun has gone in, the mornings are getting colder, and the evenings darker. It’s that time of year where everything starts to feel damp, and time away in the caravan may not feel as welcoming as it did in peak season. That’s not to say that you should park the caravan up until next season though. There’s plenty of fun still to be had if you want to, but it’s worth noting that if you are hanging the keys up until next year, you’ll need to be aware of the steps to take to close down your static caravan safely. 

Preparing your caravan for the winter months

Once you’re sure that you are done using the caravan for a few weeks or months, preparing your caravan for freezing cold temperatures is something that mustn’t be avoided. Whilst you can still make good use of your caravan or tourer during the winter, the vast majority of caravanners tend to use this time to make adjustments to their caravan ready for the next season of shows, trips and holidays. Making sure your caravan is completely up-to-date and ready to go is essential maintenance in giving your caravan a long life-span ensuring to get the best out of it during the main season.  

Parking

Parking your caravan somewhere safe, whether that be on a home driveway, a field or spare bit of land is important for keeping the caravan safe throughout those slack travel months. It might sound like a simple ‘tick-off’ the to-do list but it’s surprising how many people overlook where they’ll safely store their caravan. 

Battery

It’s advisable to take your battery out of your caravan over the winter, particularly if you don’t store your caravan at home, and take it home to store in a warm, dry place. As leaving it in a cold and damp caravan across the freezing winter months can deteriorate the state and the performance of the battery. 

However, if your policy requires you to have an alarm on the caravan, or indeed if you’ve outlined that there is an alarm in place, taking the power supply out means that the power supply won’t function. This could invalidate your insurance policy, so it’s always good to check under what endorsements your insurance policy is! 

Shut off the water supply 

After the last trip of the summer, before you choose to park your caravan up, you must shut off the water supply to the caravan and drain the pipes of any excess. The last thing you want to happen is that under freezing conditions, your pipes freeze and burst, causing catastrophe to your interiors. Potentially costing thousands in repairs. 

What is the law on caravan insurance? 

Touring Caravan Insurance

Touring caravans are not subject to insurance by law as they can be covered by your car insurance, in a third party capacity. However, in order to drive safely and with the peace of mind should any incident occur, it’s always best to check with your car insurance provider to make sure the level is adequate enough for your requirements. This is true too when the caravan is parked up for the end of the season. To keep you protected from fire, theft, or any other unexpected incident beyond your control, it’s helpful and can save you a lot of cash to have an insurance policy covering you.

Static Caravan Insurance

Again, there is no legal requirement to insure your static caravan. However, if something were to go wrong, then you as the owner would need to foot the bill for this. It’s worth remembering that with a static caravan, it is obviously in-situ away from home on a what-would-be empty caravan site over the winter months. Could you afford it if something were to go wrong?

Need to find specialist caravan insurance? We have access to Insurers who specialise in caravan insurance so contact us for a free online quote here

8 November 2019
Insurance for Landlords

Insurance for Landlords

Is landlord insurance compulsory?

There’s no legal obligation for landlords to take out a specific and dedicated insurance policy, but having one in place is worthwhile when letting your property to tenants. And it’s worth noting that some lenders will make it a requirement of taking out a buy-to-let mortgage and a typical buildings insurance policy will probably decline a claim if it transpires the property is tenanted. So, in our opinion, it is always worthwhile taking out a Landlords Insurance policy to be on the safe side.

Types of landlord insurance

    • Boiler insurance

Landlords are legally responsible for repair works and maintenance for heating, hot water, gas appliances, pipes, ventilation, wiring and sanitary fittings.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that you have all you need if a boiler were to go wrong. Boilers are expensive to replace, so it may be worthwhile considering boiler insurance.

  • Landlords’ contents insurance
  • Landlords’ liability insurance
  • Legal expenses
  • Home emergency cover

There are a lot of variables that can be included in insurance policies for landlords. Not all of them are relevant for every type of landlord, but finding a package to suit you and your circumstances can see you on the right track.

Why should you get full liability insurance?

Liability insurance protects you and your let property against claims made by tenants for personal injury or damage to their possessions in your property. By having this type of insurance in place, it means that you can save yourself from hefty bills as a result of damage, injury or accidents from tenants. As we say, there’s no specific regulation that means you must take out insurance policies on your let properties, but if your property is mortgaged, there may be stipulations in your mortgage for you to have the relevant insurance before taking on tenants.

It can help to retain a good relationship with your tenants as it will take away the responsibility as the landlord to stand the cost of any damage from your tenants as the insurance will cover it.

Landlord legal expenses

Loss of income expenses

If your property is damaged for a reason covered by your policy such as a fire or flooding, and you can’t rent out the home, your landlord insurance may cover you for lost rental income. Check the policy details to find out if this is an item which is covered on your insurance document.

Damage

Having a policy which covers you for accidental damage is essential as a landlord. Especially if the rental agreement is for a furnished property. It can help to save you, as a landlord, money, but it can also help to iron out any confusion with regards to who is responsible for what.

Emergency

Emergency cover includes those unforeseen circumstances, where without appropriate insurance you may find yourself having to fork out hundreds on the spot. Eventualities which are included in this policy are the breakdown of the heating system, plumbing and drainage problems, damage or failure of external locks where access or security is a problem. It also covers if your only toilet is broken, loss of power, assistance to stop an emergency arising from roof damage, removal of hornets, wasps, rats and mice.

Want to find out more about landlord insurance or compare cover? Get in touch with our team today on 02476 437 600.

Small Business Insurance: Do I Need It?

Small Business Insurance: Do I Need It?

Small business insurance is available in several different types of policy, and depending on the scope of your business, and is reflected in three main categories: public liability, employers’ liability, and professional indemnity.

It can be tempting to leave small business insurance off your list of things-to-do when you first open up shop or begin running a brand new business. The day-to-day running of a business comes with its own series of things to do, some are more important than others, and what is small business insurance anyway? Is it really that important?

Yes, it is. Firstly because if you’re an employer, then employers’ liability insurance is a legality in the UK. Professional Indemnity insurance isn’t a legal requirement but may well be a requirement of a regulatory body for your industry. So, understanding the basics from the beginning is essential to success in your business venture.

Making the most of small business insurance:

Risk assessment

Whilst health and safety may seem like a tick box exercise, it’s essential when running a  business, and therefore when searching the market for business insurance. What is the risk to your business and how can this be adequately managed? The answer will likely always be public liability insurance, as it can save you from a rather large financial headache if something were to happen as a result of your business practice.

Having full and comprehensive small business insurance too helps customers to make their decision as to whether they will buy your product or service. If it’s clear that you are fully insured, if something were to go wrong, they can live in the knowledge that you are fully covered for any eventuality.

Review business practice

Each month, quarter or year, businesses change their strategy, increase or decrease staffing levels, or change something substantial operationally. Often, the biggest downfall of these quite significant business changes can result in businesses not being adequately insured.

This can be as they’ve employed more people, making their current policy null and void, or because their operations no longer suit the policy they previously acquired. The best way to avoid this scenario is to conduct full business audits when looking for new business insurance.

Price

Don’t just insure your business purely based on the price of the premium. Sure, you need to be mindful when it comes to business operational costs as with every cost in a business, they add up. Though, without being cautious of what you’re actually insured for on a quote (which offers ‘competitive pricing’), and focusing solely on price, the cost can actually add up to way more than the most expensive insurance quote.

Types of small business insurance which can be arranged by Peacock:

  • Employers Liability Insurance: this covers the cost of compensation claims that could arise from employee illness or injury caused by their working for you.
  • Professional Indemnity: covering losses caused by defective work or financial loss as a result of your business.
  • Public Liability: covers the event in which somebody outside your company gets injured or their property is damaged because of your business.

 

Insurance for use by traders:

 

    • Business/commercial vehicle insurance: this is imperative for any business that uses a vehicle for their job. This can pertain to people who drive their own car for their job, or a vehicle used by the business and its employees solely for business use.

 

    • Tools cover: this is mostly applicable to tradespeople (but can extend itself to equipment insurance which is useful in shops or cafés, for example).

 

  • Goods in Transit: for frequent movers this is essential. Perhaps you’re a moving company or a courier with goods in transit most of your working day then you’ll need to make sure you’re covered for all eventualities.

Do you need an insurance solution to suit your small business? Contact our team of experts today.

The information contained in this blog is accurate and compliant at the date of publishing on 27/11/2019

29 August 2019
Replacement Latent Defect Insurance Cover

Replacement Latent Defect Insurance Cover

Due to a number of last-minute issues, the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) has been unable to secure replacement Latent Defect / Residential Warranty cover via BCR Legal Group following the collapse of Alpha Insurance and are now issuing refunds.

This will affect over 20,000 customers of Alpha who no longer have cover; many of whom may be unaware. Not only does this put them in breach of their mortgage conditions, but homeowners may also be unable to sell their property in the future and they could be liable for substantial expense if structural defects or land contamination become evident.

The NHBC are unable to assist as they do not provide replacement (typically known as Retrospective) Latent Defect cover. Peacock Insurance, however, has negotiated terms with an ‘A’ Rated financially stable Insurance Company based in the UK in order to assist Alpha customers.

Peacock Insurance urges those concerned to take immediate action and contact them to discuss your circumstances. Please contact their specialist Latent Defect team on 02476 437626.

What is a Latent Defect / Residential Warranty policy?

This type of insurance covers defects made by contractors during construction that cause damage to the structure for 10 or 12 years after the building works completed. This type of insurance is usually taken out by the developer on behalf of the homeowner. It covers:

  • Workmanship faults
  • Faults in the design
  • Faulty materials
  • Faulty installation
  • Faulty construction
  • Contaminated land clean up costs

Do I need Latent Defect Insurance?

This type of cover is a mandatory requirement for all Major UK Lenders. This means that if no cover in force it is a breach of Mortgage Terms and Conditions. Homeowners will be unable to sell their home within the first 10 years and they could incur substantial costs should structural defects or land contamination occur.

Who to contact?

To discuss your circumstances please immediately get in touch with the Specialist Latent Defect Insurance team via Peacock Insurance on 02476 437 626 or warranty@peacockinsurance.co.uk.

19 June 2019
Bouncy castle & inflatable insurance this summer

Bouncy castle & inflatable insurance this summer

Summer is here, which means it’s the season for barbecues, garden parties, weddings and lots of inflatables. It’s all fun and games and no one really wants to think about insurance or legalities. Or, at least, until they need it. Therefore getting it in place before you think you need it is essential.

Check the hire company’s insurance

Making sure that the person or company that you hire your inflatables from this summer are adequately insured in the event of an accident for public liability, employers liability, and loss or damage to equipment will give you the extra peace of mind that if something were to happen, or somebody within your party was to be injured, that there will be an insurance policy to cover it.

Perhaps you’re having a bigger event or wedding, and you need the coverage for that too, our comprehensive insurance policy schemes ensure that you can get coverage dependent on your needs for exactly the purpose. We source from our dedicated panel of insurers a policy that is bespoke and catered towards your requirements.

For the Hire Company

There will no doubt be a lot of demand for your inflatables this summer as people flock to outdoor parties, host kids parties complete with bouncy castles and fun inflatables, or, perhaps, you offer something different for weddings and other events. Providing your customers with that extra peace of mind of having insurance in
place.

Security

To protect both yourself and your party, you should carry out some checks yourself when hiring the company and/or inflatables, and make sure you know exactly what is included with the hire. Especially, in terms of set up. You’ll want to be certain that the hire price includes drop off, set up, or for more complex inflatables, that an operator from the company will be around to oversee the day’s activities.

If the inflatables aren’t secured into the ground, this could be a health and safety hazard, so check what the setup includes as standard. Or, if you’re a provider, you might want to give full details to your customers about what is included with the hire.

Our Information

At Peacock Insurance, we are members of the British Inflatable Hirers Alliance which means that we work with owners of bouncy castle and inflatable hire businesses to succeed in the insurance element of their business. This helps to fully protect them against any eventuality – providing up-to-date tips and guidance where relevant.

We offer specialist inflatable insurance for any operator or hire of inflatable equipment which is a must
for anybody dealing with the public, or having use out of their equipment.

Search the market today to find the best deal for you! Or get in touch with one of our friendly advisers.

The information contained in this blog is accurate and compliant at the date of publishing on 13/06/2019

13 June 2019
The perils of not insuring your caravan this summer

The perils of not insuring your caravan this summer

Legally, you aren’t required to hold caravan insurance, even when on tow. This is unlike the legal obligation for you to hold car insurance, as caravans are often covered by most insurers in their car insurance policies. Although, it is crucial to inform your insurance company of this, as having a towbar fitted to your car can, in some cases, technically account for a modification to your car.

Relying on just your car insurance will only give you third party insurance cover too. This is perfectly acceptable in some circumstances, however, it does mean that should your caravan be involved in a collision, suffers damage, or is stolen, you will not be covered. The question to ask yourself is: can you afford the loss, if the worst were to happen, by avoiding caravan insurance?

This being said about the legalities of caravan insurance, there are legal restrictions as to who can tow. If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B car licence you can’t legally tow a vehicle and trailer combination without taking a separate test.

Licences issued before 1 January 1997, on the other hand, generally allow drivers to drive a vehicle and trailer combination of up to 8,250kg MAM. Although, it’s always worth checking your individual driving licence information to be sure. You can do this through the Gov.uk website.

So, whilst you may not have the legal obligation to insure your caravan, you need to be absolute about the sort of licence that you hold – otherwise, this could land you in a whole load of trouble.

What type of caravan insurance do we offer?

The two types of caravan insurance:

  • Static caravan insurance for those caravans in fixed holiday parks or seaside resort locations.
  • Touring or tourer caravan insurance which covers all caravans being towed behind a vehicle.

Take a look at our website to search for caravan insurance today or get in touch with one of our advisors who will be only too happy to help!

The information contained in this blog is accurate and compliant at the date of publishing on 13th June 2019.

11 April 2019
Securing the house ready for your holidays

Securing the house ready for your holidays

Everybody loves a getaway in the sun. No work, pure family time, and totally stress-free. Or rather, so it should be. You don’t want to have to worry about a thing, so taking precautions before you jet off can alleviate worry and may prevent you from returning to a catastrophe.

Check windows and doors

Seems rather simple, right? This is the easiest and simplest approach that often gets overlooked by thousands of householders. They may leave a window unlocked, or worse, top openers slightly open. Not to mention leaving sheds and garages unlocked for all to wander in. It doesn’t matter even if there’s nothing of value in them, it’s best to keep them locked up! If burglars have gained entry to an outhouse, just think how easy it would be for them to come back and hatch a plan to get inside your house where all the real valuables are.

Turn off your boiler

If you know that the weather is not set to be frosty for the duration of your holiday, then turning off your heating will help you to save some pennies whilst you’re soaking up the sun. You could always set it on a timer to come on a few hours before you’re due to arrive home so you walk into a warm home!

Turn off electricals

Turning off electricals at the source by switching the socket off or simply unplugging devices and electricals will not only save you money on your utilities whilst you are away, but it will also reduce the risk of anything catching fire. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry, that would be the last thing you’d want to come home to.

Ask family, friends or a neighbour to check on the house regularly whilst you are away

If you are away for a number of weeks, your post will pile up, and the biggest giveaway of somebody being away is uncollected post. Have somebody collect your post for you, or get Royal Mail to hold onto it through their Keepsafe scheme.

Don’t post on social media

As much as you may want to post your ventures on social media to show everyone what an incredible time you’re having, just be aware of who can see what you’re posting, and the signs it may give i.e. if your house is now empty, how long are you away for, and even based on your profile, what kind of valuables you have in your home.  Don’t post new items on social media either. Got a new TV? Great. But don’t post a new picture of it on social media, then tag yourself at the airport on Facebook.

Padlock sheds and garages

Some people neglect to lock up their sheds and garages for thinking that there is nothing of value stored in there. Burglars will see that if outhouses aren’t secure, then, the house probably isn’t either. Strong padlocks and visible locks will help to deter any burglar away from the household.

Use timers

Using electric timers to have your lights come on at specific times of the day can really create the illusion as though you really are home. Nothing is more tell-tale of an empty abode than a house sat in darkness.

Need home insurance? Our team of experts can help to source and compare insurance policies for you instantly. Get in touch today with your requirements.

5 March 2019
 
 

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2 October 2015
Prepping the House for Winter

Prepping the House for Winter

winter is comingWinter is coming and while the Starks mostly had to worry about stocking up on firewood, modern Brits have bigger concerns when it comes to weatherproofing homes. With subzero temperatures on their way it’s crucial for homeowners to start thinking about how to prepare for the chilly winter months. Looking for a place to start? Read on for our guide to prepping your home for the winter.

Give the roof a once over

Small leaks can often repel the light rainfalls seen in summer however when laden with heavy rain and snow even the tiniest of holes can quickly become a serious problem. Before the winter weather sets in take the time to give your roof a once over and ensure that there aren’t any leaks, cracks or missing tiles.

Bleed radiators in unused properties

If a property will be vacant for even a week or two during winter it’s always a good idea to bleed radiators. This will ensure that the pipes don’t freeze and crack in the cold weather, thus creating serious issues when water systems are used in the future.

Check boiler insurance

Boilers are what keep homes cosy and comfortable during the winter months. If yours breaks and you can’t afford to fix it expect to endure an alarmingly chilly few months. Avoid this by covering your home with boiler insurance that will ensure you stay toasty warm all winter long.

Clear out gutters

Winter brings plenty of rain so it’s important for homeowners to clean out gutters before the severe weather hits. Yes, it’s not the most enjoyable task but if you fail to unclog roofing pipes you could find yourself facing flooding in heavy downpours.

Cut back low hanging branches

The UK is no stranger to wild winds that toss around tree branches like matchsticks. To minimise the risk of any damage to property exteriors hire a professional to trim low hanging branches that are dangerously close to the house.

Adequately insulate

Every winter Brits fork out a huge amount of cash on heating bills. But did you know that simply by installing efficient insulation homeowners can slash the amount they spend on gas and electricity? This can be as complex as investing in double glazing or as simple as purchasing thicker curtains.

Winter can wreak havoc on buildings but by following these hardy tips you’ll be able to protect your property against the worst of the weather.

29 September 2015
Innocent Driver’s Car Impounded for Not Carrying Insurance Documents

Innocent Driver’s Car Impounded for Not Carrying Insurance Documents

Whether you drive a shiny new BMW or a second hand Mazda, insurance should never be scrimped on. Most Brits are responsible about taking out cover yet unfortunately, not everyone enjoys a smooth ride, even when they’ve done the right thing. Earlier this month Lancashire teenager Keaton was stopped by the police and had his mum’s car seized, all because their records showed that he wasn’t covered by insurance. Now, he’s being forced to pay £150 in order to reclaim the car when in fact, he was covered by a temporary car insurance policy all along.

Despite the fact that Keaton offered to show police a copy of the temporary policy back at his Langroyd Road home, they insisted on seizing the vehicle. He’s now being asked to pay £150 fee to reclaim the car, as well as a daily fee for each day it’s been stored in the Lancashire Police hold. Keaton and his mum are appealing the fees though the police assert that all temporary policy holders should always carry a copy of their policy while driving, should a situation like this arise.

Clearly, the concept of a temporary insurance policy is surrounded by confusion so to help clear it up we’ve put together a quick guide to everything you need to know. 

What is temporary car insurance?

As the name suggests, temporary car insurance offers policy holders short term cover on a temporary basis. Unlike most policies which run for 12 months, temporary insurance can be taken out for as little as one month.

When is it useful?

If you’re borrowing a friend or relative’s vehicle or want to add another eligible driver to your policy, temporary insurance is a great option.

Is it cheaper than adding someone to an existing policy?

While it’s relatively easy to add another driver to an existing policy it’s not always the most cost effective option, especially if they only plan on driving for a month or two. Temporary insurance gives policy holders the flexibility to add another driver to their existing policy, without having to pay for an entire year of cover.

Does it affect the no-claims bonus?

As a temporary insurance policy is an entirely different form of cover no-claims bonuses won’t be affected should the temporary driver make a claim.

Is it automatic?

While insurance policies should generally kick in instantaneously, police may not necessarily have access to the new records. As seen in Keaton’s case. As such, always carry a copy in the car just to be safe.