Category Archives: All

10 reasons for professional indemnity insurance

If a third party suffers an injury, loss, or property damage as a consequence of another’s professional actions there may be legal liability for compensation to the third party. Professional indemnity (PI) covers the insured against their legal liability to compensate clients for injury, loss or damage due to a breach of duty in the conduct of their profession. Continue reading

Government announces whiplash changes

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) recently published the response to its whiplash claims consultation, which was launched to crack down on the soaring number of whiplash claims in the last decade. This increase in whiplash claims has pushed up insurance premiums for average road users, exacerbated by high numbers of fraudulent or exaggerated claims. Continue reading

Wearable technology and its insurance implications

Even if you’re not familiar with the term ‘wearable technology’, it’s likely you’re familiar with the devices themselves. Wearable technology can be broadly defined as small electronic devices that are in some way worn on the body. These devices are often able to track, collect and store various data, such as the driving, exercise and other behaviours of the people wearing them. Continue reading

New texting while driving regulations

New government regulations expected to come into force this year mean drivers caught texting at the wheel will face much tougher consequences.

With mobile phones being the hub of our daily lives, many – not just the young – can’t get through the day without their device. We will all know someone who just can’t ignore the sound of a text, needing to look immediately and to send a reply. It doesn’t matter what they are doing, even if it’s driving. Continue reading

Common car insurance myths unravelled

After results from a survey carried out by Swinton showed alarming gaps in car insurance policyholders’ knowledge, we at Independent Insurance Services decided to give clarity on common misconceptions around this essential cover:

MYTH: If you have comprehensive car insurance, you’re covered to drive anyone else’s car.
STATS: 33% believed this to be true and 14% didn’t know.
FACT: Depending on your age and driving experience you might be covered to drive someone else’s car, but this is not a given on all comprehensive insurance policies as it’s dependent on these factors. Even if you are covered, it’s only third party, so any damage to the car you’re driving won’t be covered. If you’re going to be driving someone else’s car extensively, it’s best to be put down as a named driver. Some insurance providers will allow you to put someone else on the policy for one day or one journey at no extra cost. Continue reading

6 Easy Steps to an Eco-Friendly Office

There are many reasons to adopt a more environmentally-friendly approach to your workplace. If you’re cynical, gaining a moral edge on your competitors by broadcasting your green methods is just one.

More importantly, adopting less wasteful approaches in the office will help reduce your ecological footprint and can create a healthier, more productive working environment.

It can be done, and probably more easily than you think… Continue reading

5 Most Common Mistakes Made by SMEs

Starting a business of your own can be an incredibly fulfilling move for a keen entrepreneur with a bright idea. But sometimes the bread and butter of running your business can get buried under the responsibilities of navigating tax laws, understanding employment duties, and ensuring you are fulfilling all other legal requirements.

To avoid your SME’s accounts getting in a mess, take note of these five commonly-made mistakes. Continue reading

Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) set to rise

CHANCELLOR PHILIP HAMMOND ANNOUNCES INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX (IPT) WILL RISE TO 12%

The UK’s Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) is due to rise by 2% to a new high of 12%, Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond has announced in the Autumn Statement.

Taking effect from June 2017, this will represent the third increase in IPT in less than two years. In November 2015 it increased to 9.5%, and in October 2016 it increased to 10%. Continue reading