COVERPOINT – DECEMBER 2015

coverpoint

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR CLIENTS AND FRIENDS, FROM CLIFFORD LANE ASSOCIATES

merry-xmas-2015

On behalf of Chris, Michelle and myself, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

We are just completing our first full year’s trading, and would like to thank you for the tremendous support and goodwill we have had from you during 2015.

I am also delighted to be able to launch our inaugural, regular newsletter. I have felt for many years that insurance brokers are guilty of offering you just “once a year” contact, usually when you have a policy due for renewal. This isn’t good enough any longer, and as we are intent on offering an unrivalled service to you all, I believe this has to be reflected in a continual, rather than occasional, relationship.

Of course, regular communication also enables us to bring you articles of interest concerning insurance-related topics (I promise I’ll try to make them as interesting as I can !); and to let you know about other insurance products or services which you may wish to think about.

Our goal is to be the single place for all your general insurance requirements, so there are insurances which you presently hold through another source, which we would very much like to have in the Clifford Lane fold during the coming year, and I will be in contact with each of you early in the New Year on this point.

 

WINTER WEATHER CLAIMS – WHAT TO DO IF IT HITS YOU

At this time of year nobody really knows what Mother Nature has in store for us, and we can only hope for relatively mild weather over the next three months. Sadly, businesses and residents in Cumbria have already been badly hit by Storm Desmond, and our sympathies go to those who have had their homes and businesses flooded, with human misery as well as financial loss over the Christmas period.

Here are our tips if this happens to you:

  • Notify your insurer or broker as soon as possible. We will help you through the claims process and help you with emergency repairs
  • Stay safe – don’t put yourself in danger, and leave repairs to the professionals
  • Damage to motor vehicles – if your car has been damaged by a falling tree, this will usually be covered under a Comprehensive motor policy
  • Flood – if your home is flooded, turn the power off and move any damaged or valuable items upstairs
  • Make sure your home remains as safe and secure as possible
  • Keep as much evidence of damaged items as you can. You won’t want to keep a sodden carpet, but take photos to show the loss adjuster, and keep all receipts you have for repairs
  • Gates and fences are not covered under household policies
  • Alternative accommodation is usually covered if you’re not able to stay in your home, typically to the value of 20% of your sum insured
  • Power cuts – your policy should cover the cost of spoilt freezer contents

In my experience, the insurance industry responds well to major catastrophes, even if you experience hiccups with ordinary, everyday claims. In 2012, £1.19 billion was paid out for storm and flood claims, and 24% of all domestic property claims were for “weather”

 

YOUR “GO-TO GUYS”

At Clifford Lane Associates we aim to provide solutions to all your personal and business finance problems, and if these are not directly related to general insurance, we will introduce you to one or more of our Professional Partners.

We have strong relationships with:

  • Independent Financial Advisers
  • Mortgage Brokers
  • Stockbrokers
  • Pension specialists – particularly for auto-enrolment
  • Accountants
  • Lawyers

If you need help, just call me on 01483 548662 or 07792 576551, or Chris Webb on 01372 275098 or 07920 726957

 

AND FINALLY…………..

A drunk wanders into the lounge of a hotel where an insurance convention is being held, intent on causing trouble. He yells “I think all insurance brokers are crooks, any if anyone doesn’t like it, you come up and do something about it !”.

Immediately a man runs up to the drunk and says “You take that back at once”. The drunk sneers and replies “Why, are you a broker ?”

“No”, replies the man, “I’m a crook”.

 

 Happy Christmas

Nigel Smith