Our Philosophy

The Insurance Broking and Consultancy market sector has, we believe, lacked a niche or bespoke level of client service as all too often it is clear to us there is a restriction on the level of service provided due to economic reasons, as the market seeks to minimise expenditure and maximise income in whatever way possible. This is, we believe compounded by the increasing, although justified regulation and bureaucracy the sector is now facing.

This however is in stark contrast to what clients require, based upon the information we are provided by prospective clients. There is genuinely a need to have a superior level of service at a time that is convenient to them.

Therefore, we initiated a philosophy of providing an all-encompassing, core level of service to each client, by way of a Service Agreement, outlining those activities we undertake. Over time, we identified that client needs were changing, requiring the provision of service outside of normal working hours. The question was “How do we respond to this?”

The solution was very simple: Availability.

As we embarked upon making ourselves more available, we have found that client needs have again shifted in that they now seek not only service but advice as to how they should manage the programme. Over the last few years, this has become more and more prominent leading us to adopt more of a role as an Advisor and Broker as opposed to the role a traditional Broker plays, whilst maintaining the core traditions that form the basis of our philosophy.

There are naturally some restrictions that we face, where due to legal and regulatory restrictions there are some matters that fall outside of the scope of our defined role, and it is becoming apparent that this will continue and almost certainly increase in the future due to tighter regulation. However, we pride ourselves on that we are able to work within these parameters constantly seeking to find new ways to provide client solutions.

Aims and Working Practices

Do not expect to see us outline completely what makes us so different in the way we work. After all, if we placed it here, everyone would adopt it – we’re that confident in our philosophy and working practices. Instead, the only way is to speak to us – although we will give a taster, just to wet your appetite!

We provide direct access to both Directors at all times (except during the few times we allow them holiday!). For all clients, a Lead Director will be involved in the day-to-day running of a client account, relating to all areas of the client’s programme – Claims, Broking etc. However, discussions are held on a daily basis on any client issues that arise so that at any time both are fully aware of the client’s needs and the steps we intend to take to deal with the enquiry.

We aim to effectively run the insurance on behalf of the client. Whilst this can be viewed as somewhat costly by others within the sector, we find that establishing this level of trust and actively engaging with the client provides for an excellent understanding of the client which we are then able to relay to Underwriters on the client’s behalf. This then allows us to determine the approach to insurance and establish both short and long terms aims for the programme.

The introduction of the Insurance Act 2015 has placed considerable emphasis on the part of the client to ensure that all necessary information is provided to their Broker to make a fair presentation of the risk to the insurer(s). This has been our approach for the last 15 years and as such we are already well ahead of the sector and see very little difference for our existing client base in this respect. Taking such steps has allowed us to maintain excellent relationships with insurers on behalf of our client base, resulting in little exposure to market rate fluctuations, and longevity of both insurer and client relationships.

Where necessary, and required by law or by specific request, for those clients with overseas locations we will utilise the services of a third-party broker/advisor provided they are known to us. We regularly refuse to deal with overseas brokers where we are unsure of their ability to provide the service we require for the client in a certain territory, or if there is no legal obligation to have a broker in the territory.

In the UK, there are occasions where it is necessary to gain access to an underwriter via another broker, for a specific reason, i.e. a Lloyds agent. This does not cause any concern for us as we restrict the use of such arrangements to an absolute necessity.

Our experience allows us to establish fairly quickly if a client will be suited to our philosophy for their programme – only then can we commence the process of establishing the client’s aims for the programme. Once these are agreed we agree on the core services and Service Agreement together with the Fee structures for the coming year.

The continual yearly remarketing of a programme serves no interest to the client, Insurer or us. But by utilising a triangulated relationship with an insurer it is very evident how the insurer is responding to market fluctuations in ratings and then adopting a philosophy to minimise exposure to these fluctuations.

Our Clientele

We have already mentioned, albeit briefly, that we have a very select client base that seeks bespoke solutions and high-level service. We employ a very strict Client Confidentiality Clause which we steadfastly refuse to breach. This means that in some cases we have been unable to work with a client where they are insistent upon client names and references, and/or client numbers within a specific industry sector.

We value our client base extremely highly, and also their trust. To breach this confidentiality, aside from the legal implications, constitutes a breach of trust and our integrity. Therefore, if a client is insistent upon receiving such information, we will not progress our working relationship.

This isn’t meant in any way to imply others do – just merely stating that we wouldn’t!