Author: David

Independent insurance broker expands into Cumbria

An independent insurance broking and risk management specialist is expanding into Cumbria. TL Dallas, which already has 11 UK offices, has appointed seasoned insurance professionals, Lynne Taylor and Emma Irving, who have 60 years combined industry experience, to head up the office. 

TL Dallas in Cumbria offers general commercial, corporate and agricultural business insurance and will be based on the Dovenby Hall Estate, near Cockermouth. 

Lynne began her insurance career at General Accident in Workington and worked in personal and commercial underwriting including claims. After a period as a commercial and farm underwriter at Provincial in Carlisle, Lynne was offered a position at C H Jeffries in Cockermouth 28 years ago. She became a broking manager for the firm’s three offices and latterly, for more than a decade, worked as an account executive across the commercial, corporate and agricultural sectors.  

Emma joined C H Jeffries 24 years ago, in the firm’s commercial business unit, which she helped develop into a substantial core part of the business. Emma then took on the team leader role, whilst also developing as an account executive, with her own book of commercial clients. 

C H Jeffries was the largest independent insurance broker in Cumbria before it was bought by Willis, which sold to Smart & Cook and was later bought by Bluefin.  A subsequent merged company with Jelf Insurance was then purchased by Marsh Commercial.

Emma said: “C H Jeffries was very customer focussed. When TL Dallas announced plans to expand into Cumbria, their core values instantly resonated with both Lynne and myself. 

“We have a diverse mix of businesses in Cumbria, and we believe that essentially Cumbrian businesses continue to want to work with people that they know and trust and prefer face to face contact. Of course, we use all the latest technological advancements to facilitate a personal service, genuine expertise and in-depth industry and local market knowledge. 

“We are looking forward to working with the rest of the TL Dallas team and can’t wait to welcome clients from Cumbria and beyond, as well as growing our team here.” 

Polly Staveley, managing director at TL Dallas, said: “Both Lynne and Emma have excellent industry reputations and they know the Cumbrian market inside and out. Their attention to detail, client focus and impressive industry expertise will appeal to clients keen to work with the pair, whilst also benefiting from our wider network and services.” 

TL Dallas is a fourth-generation family firm, owned by its management and staff that has been in business for more than 100 years. Renowned for its personal broking service and really getting to grips with its clients’ needs, TL Dallas strikes a balance between the most comprehensive and cost-effective policies. 

The company has a team of 145 and offers insurance services spanning commercial, personal, trade credit, books and collectables, farming and agricultural, specialist avian influenza (bird flu) and demolition contractor, as well as due diligence, risk management and independent financial services. TL Dallas also has an in-house claims consultancy division.  

Contact Lynne Taylor on 07496 326 448 / Lynne.Taylor@tldallas.com or Emma Irving on 07496 325 138 / Emma.Irving@tldallas.com.

Chewing the cud – an agricultural insurance brokers view

Ed Davey is a director at Dallas Scott Davey, an independent insurance broking and risk management firm based in Lincolnshire, that is part of the TL Dallas group. Dallas Scott Davey specialises in agricultural insurance. 

Ed said: “Agriculture has faced and risen to major challenges for hundreds of years, not least because Yeoman are generally tenacious and determined.  However, today’s farming has such financial risk in growing the simplest of produce that every family’s crown jewels are at risk.  There are fifth and sixth generation family businesses looking down the barrel of the proverbial gun, whilst simply trying to produce broad acre crops. Agri inflation, conflict, political reform, and market instability have created a perfect storm of uncertainty.  As a consequence, having a professional quality specialist farm insurance broker working for you has never been more important. 

“Supply chain issues are at their most challenging in our farming history.  If you can find fertiliser, it is soul destroying to write the cheque that pays for it.  Farm brokers need to understand how that impacts their client’s farming business.  It isn’t just about whether sums insured are adequate under the revenue section.  It’s more about whether there is any solution at all to a major loss. Will the revenue sums insured potentially be exposed to under-insurance due to the cost of replacing key commodities such as fertiliser if the whole yard goes up? The answer is probably.  Will motor policies have adequate values for tractors to reflect the tight market – the answer is maybe not.   Will wordings be challenged by increasing costs of replacement of attachments, often limited on an unspecified basis under a motor policy – the answer is you should expect it.  Will reinstatement sums insured be sufficient to rebuild that traditional barn – the answer is I doubt it.  Farm brokers need to be factoring all of this into their review and making sure sufficient cover can deal with all of these circumstances.   

“Of course, brokers can’t do it on their own.  Working alongside specialist agricultural loss adjusters is key and given the world we are in, there needs to be a pragmatic approach to mitigating loss at the point of a claim.  Sometimes, however it is just about supporting and listening – as brokers we can’t solve everything and there are challenges our clients face that we can’t do anything about.  Investing our time into our clients’ businesses and becoming part of the support team is key. We can and we must be more than just a financial solution to an event that happened on the farm. 

“Contingency planning has become a key management tool to any farming business.  It is as important as knowing what level of insurance cover one holds.  For too long brokers and agents have reviewed existing cover and talked about premiums as though their lives depended upon it.   Brokers need to offer more and engage and immerse themselves into their farming clients’ businesses.  The conversation can’t be just about an insurance review. 

“Whilst insurance may well indemnify the business financially, the disruption can often go beyond what is covered by a policy wording.  Prevention is as important as any insurance policy.  Safeguarding property, and more importantly lives, must be a key consideration when risk assessing a farming business in the context of disaster, including accidents and extreme weather events.  Whether it be storms, high rainfall, and flooding or as we witnessed this harvest, the risk of fire due to tinder dry conditions, there is a great deal to consider in respect of risk mitigation. 

“Having a contingency plan is a great way of enabling the business to react to a serious event, as well as mitigating the extent of damage the business may suffer.  Simple measures such as training staff, having an in house “fire brigade” with water bowsers and pumps, as well as operational fire extinguishers in all of the vehicles are simple examples of how to prevent a small fire becoming a raging inferno. Highlighting how important committing time to think about contingency is key. 

“There are of course specialist fields.  Brokers need to be one step ahead of major events such as avian flu.  Some enterprises need to be on cover before the unit begins work, such as Christmas turkeys. Once you are amidst the outbreak, it is often too late for other businesses, not yet affected, to seek cover.  Throughout the year as a farm broker, I am advertising the need to consider the cover in the market.  Expecting underwriters to want to increase their exposure amidst an outbreak is naive.  Again, contingency planning, discussing risk assessments and advocating the highest levels of biosecurity are key components to building a strategy to both alleviate and defend against the disease.  Growers need to understand that having an insurance policy against avian flu isn’t a safeguard and that they can take their eye off the ball.  If we want to see cover remain in the market, and premiums remain affordable, and we want to mitigate the incidence of this disease, we have to have joined up thinking, and take collective responsibility in our standards of production across the UK. 

“Then we have the traditional issues facing the farming industry such as rural crime.  Whilst much opportunity still rests with manufacturers building in new security features to our agricultural plant, one has to accept the stable door was somewhat open for that particular horse as it bolted in respect of much of our equipment.  Further, whilst we can immobilise, add trackers, set perimeter alarms, and have CCTV across our yards, we can’t stop the professional, “steal to order” criminals and there is now an element of “terror” attached to theft.  There is absolutely no point in contesting a theft or burglary when faced with armed criminals. So even for the very best, most secure and well managed risks, there is always going to be a theft risk to agricultural plant and machinery.  Given claims inflation and the cost of replacing equipment such as teleporters, quad bikes and 250HP tractors, there is little wonder, given the loss ratios suffered, that farm insurers are wondering what they have to do to keep premiums in check. As brokers all we can do is offer best advice in security enhancement and given the “duty of care” aspect of all wordings in the market, make sure our clients understand their responsibilities. 

Given the risks the industry faces, it certainly underlines how important it is, that the farming world has support from brokers, insurers and loss adjusters.   However, as never before it is key that the personnel are top quality.  Many years ago, the farm drive would witness passage from all sorts of reps, whether they be seed, grain, machinery or finance.  The bank manager would be offered a full cooked 3 course lunch.   Long gone are those days.  Yet, as brokers we still sit around the kitchen table and take part in the family farming debate as well as advise on insurance requirements. That is a privilege we must not waste and it is key that farm brokers have a firm understanding of the farming industry before embarking upon offering key advice. 

“It is also important to remember that the farm insurance market is finite.  Due to claims inflation, weather events and the ever-growing incidence of crime, not forgetting attritional claims, there is no surprise that the market remains firm and ideally wants to harden further. The thought of losing a capacity at this stage would lend huge disadvantage to the farming industry, not least in further resulting in hardened rates.  That this pressure comes at a point in the industry when agri–inflation and so many other financial pressures are leaning on it, goes unnoticed by clients.  Very few farmers envisage there not being enough insurers. However, as a specialist farm broker, I am ever aware of where the point of equilibrium sits.  Attracting new blood to carry risk isn’t easy.  Consequently, it is a case of making sure existing capacities are not “burned out” by the vagaries of the farming industry and the risks it faces.  

“Brokers hold a responsibility in educating farming clients as to the importance of sustaining a healthy competitive insurance market.  When you consider cost of litigation and awards, and that agriculture still experiences a disproportionate level of fatalities every year, it isn’t hard to understand why underwriters remain focused. I am, however, a great believer in cooperation and I continue to believe a solution exists in a more collaborative approach to farm insurance between underwriters and clients alike.  There has to be incentive and I genuinely believe features such as low claim rebates and visible discounts for good risk management features should play a larger part.  

“There has to be trust shown between each end of the deal and there has to be logic applied to underwriting.  Too often I witness a reaction from capacity that is out of context with the broader farming risks under review. Further, too often there isn’t enough disparity in premium between a risk with a 0% loss ratio and another with 100%. Farmers can become disillusioned by their insurance experience, shared in the pub or more likely in their bench marking club, as a result.  As brokers we need to challenge underwriters on strategy.  With farming clients, engage with them and inspire them to invest in risk management to the benefit of all.  When you consider the cost involved in growing an acre of wheat with ammonium nitrate costing nearly £200 an acre alone, a £1000 per year spent on a good independent risk management consultant doesn’t seem much by comparison. 

“Going back to the early insurance days of seven farmers all putting into a pot every year in case their stack went up in smoke, each held a stake in their future.  As brokers, if we can instil the concept of collective responsibility and the impact any one event has upon the price, we all pay, I do think we can help our clients and our farm insurance market evolve to a more prosperous future.” 

How to avoid underinsurance as building costs inflation reaches record high

Underinsurance remains a concern for many people and businesses. Underinsurance worsened during the COVID pandemic, and the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters has reported that over 40% of all commercial claims exhibit some degree of underinsurance, which is now compounded by soaring inflation.

A new guide from the British Insurers Brokers’ Association (BIBA) advises how to avoid it, and BIBA member, TL Dallas is keen to meet with clients to ensure the right levels of insurance are in place.

Written with loss adjuster and BIBA valuation facility provider, QuestGates, the new ‘guide to valuations’ looks at macro issues that impact sums insured. It also highlights the importance of reviewing sums insured and making accurate valuations of buildings, plant, machinery, and other contents as well as estimating suitable indemnity periods in business interruption cover. 

Managing Director, Polly Staveley, from TL Dallas, added: “Underinsurance is a serious concern and can leave a policyholder responsible for a large percentage of a loss where the discrepancy is significant. Part of our role is to try to ensure this doesn’t happen and advise clients on setting correct sums insured, albeit we are not professional valuers so we recommend their services should always be sought.

“We will also assist with setting the right levels of business interruption cover and indemnity periods, which are especially critical as there are often long delays in deliveries of replacement machinery and also building material supplies are still somewhat disrupted. This new guide from BIBA will act as a great aide-memorie when it comes to reviewing clients’ policies.”

Alistair Steward, director at QuestGates highlighted that: “Getting the sums insured stated correctly at the time of inception of the policy makes the claims process so much easier, avoiding difficult conversations with customers around underinsurance and enabling prompt and full claims settlements.”

To download a copy of the guide, click HERE and to arrange a call with TL Dallas contact your nearest office. 

Shetland insurance broker expands ahead of 30th anniversary

The only independent insurance broker on the Shetland Islands is expanding ahead of its 30th anniversary next year.  

TL Dallas opened in Lerwick in April 1993 and has a long-standing reputation for its considered, professional advice and excellent client care. Liam Peterson has joined the business this year, bringing the team up to six.

The Shetland team is headed up by Ruth Newbold, and benefits from being part of the wider TL Dallas Group. The family-owned business has 10 other offices across the UK and is also a founding member of UNA – the National Alliance of Independent Brokers. 

Ruth said: “We have recently expanded our team to six dedicated insurance brokers, with the appointment of Liam, and five of us have over 100 years’ of combined experience between us! We are a local business but benefit from having a bigger presence across the UK. Our membership of UNA also means we are in a really strong position when it comes to accessing the best insurance products for our clients. 

“Many of our clients have worked with us for decades, and at every renewal we seek to get the best possible outcome for our clients. What sets us apart from other brokers is we work especially hard to understand our clients’ businesses so we can add value when it comes to managing and insuring their key risk exposures adequately and cost effectively.”

TL Dallas works for clients across all sectors but has particular expertise in the contracting, marine engineering, shipping, transport and technology sectors.

Director and valued client, Gary Spence, from LHD Ltd in Lerwick, said: “We have dealt with TL Dallas for many years and have always found the staff to be very helpful and professional in all that they do. They provide specialist knowledge and a bespoke service tailored to our specific needs, and the fact that they are based on Shetland is a huge positive for us.”

In addition to representing many Shetland based business and individuals, TL Dallas is also a huge supporter of the local community. Ruth added: “We have always supported the communities here in Shetland, which we are all part of. That is why we are very proud to have raised more than £10,500 over the last few years for charities including Mind Your Head, Alzheimer Scotland, Macmillan Cancer Support, CRUK Relay for Life, MRI Scanner Appeal and Dogs Against Drugs. Whatever we raise is match-funded by the business which is fabulous. We have also provided sponsorship to community sports groups including Shetland Amateur Athletics Club, Shetland Badminton Association and Lerwick Amateur Swimming Club.” 

Polly Staveley, managing director at TL Dallas, said: “When many companies are consolidating offices into central call centres, we understand the true value of having a local presence and are fully committed to serving the people and businesses of the Shetland Islands. 

“Ruth, Lynne, Joanne, Rory, Fiona and Liam really care about their clients, and this shows through the number of clients who remain with us year after year, as well as the new client wins achieved this year. As the office continues to grow, we hope to create more local job opportunities for people in the Shetland Islands and look forward to many more years helping businesses and individuals with their insurance needs as well as supporting the local community.” 

TL Dallas advise on investment by Panoramic into APS

The Glasgow office of insurance broker, TL Dallas, has once again provided insurance due diligence services to Panoramic Growth Equity (Panoramic), the leading equity investor in fast growing, entrepreneurial companies, which is also based in Glasgow. 

Panoramic has invested into Aluminium & Plastics Systems (APS) Ltd, a leading stock-holding company selling aluminium and PVCu products to the construction industry. This marks Panoramic’s second investment into Northern Ireland and the 16th investment of Fund 2. 

Based in Lisburn, APS specialises in architectural aluminium glazing systems for commercial and residential buildings. The company also stocks a wide range of aluminium and steel sheets and extrusions, aluminium and PVC fascias, rainwater systems, windows and doors, louvers and roof lanterns. Established in 2000, APS has completed an impressive portfolio of projects and gained an excellent reputation in the industry. 

The TL Dallas due diligence consultancy service provides an insurance and risk health check review to investment firms acquiring equity stakes in businesses. Bernard Dunn, Doug Lapsley and Graham Murray from TL Dallas worked on the most recent project. 

Client director, Bernard Dunn, from TL Dallas, said: “We were delighted to undertake a review of the APS insurance programme on behalf of Panoramic Growth Equity. This review looked both at the company’s current insurance programme, as well as the levels of cover that might be required going forward, post-investment. Our review team encompassed both general and trade credit insurance specialists as part of the overall assessment of coverage on assets, liabilities, people and products.” 

Panoramic’s investment has enabled two of the founding shareholders, Alan Denver and Ivan Bradford, to retire from their operational roles at APS. With the support of Panoramic, co-founders, managing director Gary McNeill, and sales director, Chris Du Boulay, will continue to run the company, targeting continued expansion across Ireland and the UK. Alan and Ivan will remain as minority shareholders and provide ongoing strategic support to Gary and Chris. 

Gary McNeil, managing director at APS, commented: “Chris and I are delighted to have been backed by Panoramic and believe they will be a strong partner for APS through the next stage of its development. I would like to thank Alan Denver and Ivan Bradford for their hard work at APS since the Company was founded.”

David Atkinson, senior investment manager at Panoramic commented: “APS has demonstrated a track record of profitable growth over 20 years and developed a great reputation for design and service in the industry. We are pleased to support Gary and Chris in providing funding to build on the company’s success.”

Panoramic’s investment into APS was led by David Atkinson. Richard Moorehead, of HNH Corporate Finance, provided corporate finance advice to management. Legal advice to Panoramic was provided by Andrew Jennings and Kendra Mcullough of Shoosmiths. Consilium Chartered Accountants provided financial due diligence through David Holt and Colin McCrann. Legal advice to management was provided by Edwards & Co.

Contact Bernard Dunn, Doug Lapsley and Graham Murray on 0141 204 0330 or visit www.tldallas.com for more details. 

TL Dallas tells its story to the PBFA

TL Dallas supplies specialist books and collectables insurance policies that are approved by the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA).

This month Molly Jones, from TL Dallas in London, provided a blog for the PBFA’s website and has also attended the York National Book Fair at York Racecourse. 

Molly said: “Having developed a suite of specialist policies for collectables, we feel privileged to have protected hundreds of book shop owners, book dealers, book binders and private collectors for over 30 years.

“Our book dealer policy was one of the only ones to pay out for business interruption due to Covid-19 during the three lockdown stages, so we know how valuable our advice and cover has proved for so many. At the present time, over £2.5 million has been paid out to our clients in relation to these claims. 

“We are also proud to support and join you at several of the book fairs taking place across the country this year. 

“When it comes to insuring valuable collectables, we understand no item or client is ever the same. A bespoke approach is always needed with someone knowledgeable and experienced on the end of the phone a must – not some centralised call centre or online only contact form! We also pride ourselves on offering a personal service with our in-house claims team. 

“As you would expect we insure against flood, fire, theft, damage and losses, but we also help our clients with other insurance policies, including household insurance and can make sure any specialist collectable items in the home are well protected. As part of the household policy we provide, book dealing or book binding activities at home are all covered without affecting the household policy, which is something that some insurers do not allow. 

“Dealers, collectors, binders and shop owners have faced so many challenges of late, due in part to the pandemic, but the determination and passion for what you do is clear for all to see. 

“We understand that when you need to get precious cargo from A to B quickly and insure the books you are taking to a book fair, sending to buyers or storing away, you want to call us, tell us how much they are worth and get an immediate quote – without time consuming valuations. We also still accept cheques as payment – something we know appeals to many of our clients! 

“We also provide insurance cover that protects you if you have unwittingly sold or bought a stolen item. The defective title cover came in handy for two of our clients recently, one who had bought a book and another who sold it not knowing it had been stolen many years ago. The cover allowed the book to be returned to its original owner with no financial losses for either party, as the policy paid out. 

“Over the years we have handled many interesting and unusual claims. On one occasion a man came into a book shop from a neighbouring pub and mistakenly thought he was in the lavatory, relieving himself across a shelf of valuable books!

“There was also one claim where a book dealer was doing some “DIY” around the home and the hammer he was using flew out of his hand right into a cabinet containing rare vases. The hammer hit one vase and subsequently knocked the other three over, one by one!

“As well as books, we are also experienced in insuring unusual collectible items including gaming cards. Over the past few years, the trading card game (TCG) market and sports cards market has boomed. With prices at all-time highs, collections are worth more than ever before! 

“This year it was confirmed that a collector, named Logan Paul, had broken the record for the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale with a coveted PSA Grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator card selling for $5,275,000 (which is £3,862,424!) To illustrate the growth in the market, a SGC Grade 2 Honus Wagner card (a baseball player from the early 1900’s) sold for $1,000,000 in the year 2000 – that same card has since sold in 2022 for $7,250,000! 

“Now, your average collector will not hold a PSA Grade 10 Pikachu or a SGC Grade 2 Honus Wagner, however their collections are still their prized possession, and more and more collectors understand the importance of insuring their cards, due to the drastically increasing market.

“We are also seeing huge demand for retro toys and other sports memorabilia including Lego and Scalextric. Some Star Wars Lego sets can be worth thousands of pounds, and clothes worn by famous sports stars like Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali can amass millions of dollars. 

“There are regular conventions held in the UK where collectors and vendors browse a huge range of new and old collectibles, in which our insurance is imperative, and we know from client feedback that the peace of mind it gives them is invaluable.” 

Contact our London office on 020 7426 5330, email molly.jones@tldallas.com or liam.wilkins@tldallas.com or visit https://www.tldallas.com/

The Herald – 9th November 2013

Polly Staveley is happy to steer the family firm home

by Scott Wright, The Herald, Group Business Correspondent

It is a voyage that began in Scotland in 1919, when its founder first became involved in marine insurance.  Almost a century later, the good ship TL Dallas is moving full-steam back into the Scottish market.

Polly Staveley, deputy managing director of the family-owned commercial insurance firm, believes her great grandfather would take particular satisfaction at the news that the business had gone “back to our Scottish roots”.

The firm has been active in Scotland since opening offices in Shetland in 1993, building on its long-standing connection to shipping insurance, and in Falkirk seven years later.

But it was the launch of its office in Glasgow’s St Vincent Street two years ago that signalled a serious step change in the TL Dallas operation, north of the Border.

Ms Staveley says: “That office has been going for nearly two years and it has already more than doubled in size. We are absolutely delighted to have a presence in the Glasgow market.

 

Read the whole article on the Herald Scotland’s website: Click here.

24 Hour Emergency Telephone Numbers 2013-14

We’ve pulled together an updated list of our emergency telephone numbers for 2013-2014.

 

Commercial

Zurich, Allianz, Aviva, UK General;

Cunningham Lindsey

Ian Webster: 07880 780718

Kevin Hurley: 07766 511192

Rob Jessop: 07768 965681

Alternatively, they have an emergency desk line 02920386713

 

RSA; (RSA internal Adjuster) Richard Jenkins 07887 821153 or Terry O’Connor 0777032721

AXA; GAB Robins 0870 4006800

Amlin; Mainclaims telephone number 01245 396357 will automatically transfer your call to Questgates. Alternatively Questgates direct tel is 0845 0709500

 

Household

Zurich; 0845 712 5220

Zurich High Networth (ZPC); 0800 096 9999.

Hiscox; 0845 2138776

Amlin; as per commercial

RSA; 0870 607 6513

Aviva; 0800 012 345

 

Other useful numbers – (disaster recovery & cleaning services)

Chemdry – 08443245266

Rainbow International – 01623 422488

My Penguathlon 2013 by Jeremy Burnham

In late 2012, and after too many drinks at a friends Christmas party, I agreed to take part in my first “Penguathlon”. This was to involve cycling from Leeds to Newcastle (106 miles), run the Great North Run the following day (13.1 miles) and then cycle back to Ilkley (100 miles) the next day. Oh, and all dressed as a penguin!

Having spent the last few years doing various running events and latterly sprint Triathlons, I embarked on getting myself fit for the event. I also had to get to grips with bike cleats / shoes, which comically led to a couple of falls (for any cyclists reading this you will know what I mean!) and cycling in the Yorkshire Dales most weekends.

With Colin Jackson.
With Colin Jackson.

By early September, I was ready for the event and on the 14th September 16 penguins departed for Newcastle. The ride went very well with the weather kind to us and we arrived early evening at our accommodation in Gosforth. An early start was required on the Sunday morning as ahead of the Great North Run media duties (!) were required by the team. There was an interview with Radio 5live, being filmed by the BBC whilst cycling over the Tyne bridge and then following a quick change into our penguin suits, an interview with Colin Jackson for BBC1. By the time we got to the start line we were all more than ready for the race and we went on to receive fantastic support from the local public who turned out in force despite the very poor weather conditions.

Early Monday morning we set off on the journey home and despite encountering rain and 20mph winds most of the way, we arrived in Ilkley just before dark to family / friends at one of the local bars to enjoy some well earned beers!

To date I have personally raised over £1,700 and a huge thanks is owed to all my family, friends, TL Dallas & Co Ltd (who were one of the corporate sponsors) and colleagues, together with clients who have provided great support. In total, Team Penguin have collected over £23,000 for a local charity, Yorkshire Cancer Research.

www.penguathlon.com

Jeremy Burnham

National Fork Lift Safety Week

23-27th September, 2013

National Fork Lift Safety Week was launched in 2008 by the Fork Lift Truck Association to raise awareness of the dangers of fork lift environments, and the importance of common sense measures that can make fork lift operation as safe and efficient as possible.

This year, we’re encouraging 1,000,000 Britons to confirm their safety awareness in a bid to break the “accident plateau”. Click here for more information.

The TLD 100 – Sponsored Walk

On the 13th of July a bunch of brave souls inadvertently chose one of the hottest days of the year for our first TLD 100 Charity Sponsored Walk. The route we chose was just short of a half marathon; from the TL Dallas Honley office back to the Head Office in Bradford.

 A distance of 12.6 miles was completed in 4 hours & 1 min in 30 degrees of blazing sunshine and has raised the fantastic total of £1068.00. It was an amazing team effort and everyone stuck together to make sure we all finished.

 It is just one of the events organised as part of our pledge to raise £100,000 by our 100th Anniversary in 2019.

 Massive thanks to all our walkers:

Susan Gill, Claire Humphries, Kevin Stevenson, James Bailey, Kerrell Cronly, Dianne Sweeney, Jamie Swann, Lynsey Brannan, Kristina Cook, Polly & James Staveley with their sons, Dillon & Oscar, 2 absolute troupers, Bruce & Caroline McNeill, Jason Tyas, last but not least, Sharon Shaw (and her 35 blisters) with her husband Mick.

We all had a great time and even though the last mile was ridiculously long, the only thing that kept us going was the ‘Chapel House’. Raising so much money was worth it.

Can I just say I have never enjoyed a pint as much as that one? Maybe the second one as well ………..

Well done guys and thanks to everyone who sponsored us.

Warning over new ‘flash for cash’ insurance scam

Criminals gangs tricking motorists before intentionally crashing into them

Investigators are warning about a new tactic by criminal gangs, dubbed ‘flash for cash’, where a driver flashes their lights to let another driver out of a junction, and then crashes into them deliberately.

The criminals then make money by putting in false personal injury claims for whiplash and loss of earnings, as well as submitting fake bills for vehicle recovery, repair and replacement car hire.

The Asset Protection Unit, which investigates fraud in collaboration with police and the insurance sector, has warned that the fraudsters often target elderly motorists or women with young children – drivers they believe will not challenge them on the scene.

And the new scam is harder to prove in court, because it comes down to the innocent driver’s word against the criminal’s that they flashed their lights to let them out.

 The number of flash for crash scams are not known, but the IFB estimates that 380 fraudulent personal injury claims from deliberate crashes are made every day and cost the motor insurance industry £392m every year.

 Detective inspector Dave Hindmarsh from the Metropolitan Police told the BBC: “[There are] emotional costs if you’re involved in a crash: you could well lose your confidence, and if your passengers are children they may well become wary of being passengers in cars, and of course you may get injured or killed.

 “It’s an extra £50 to £100 on every person’s premium, so that’s a financial cost.”

 

This article has been taken from The Insurance Times dated 16th August 2013 

http://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/warning-over-new-flash-for-cash-insurance-scam/1404027.article

A New Threat & Maybe A Nasty Phone Bill

 

One of our Unitas Partner Insurers, QBE, has recently reported on a new threat to hit business. Phone Phreaking is a fraud where commercial phone systems are hacked in order to place outbound calls to premium-rate numbers. These numbers are controlled by the fraudsters themselves and can be charged at extortionate rates.

It is an attractive scam to the criminals; it’s carried out remotely, difficult to prevent and unlikely to be detected until a large phone bill arrives.

Although still a relatively new crime, Phone Phreaking is already estimated to cost UK businesses over £1bn per year, with the average cost of a UK attack thought to be around £10,000. Currently there is no silver bullet for preventing this fraud, save investing in an expensive software solution.

QBE provides up to £50,000 cover for Phone Phreaking under their Cyber & Data Security policy.

If you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us so we can look at the options available to insure your business against these types of losses.

Mike Martin

Group Director

 

mike.martin@tldallas.com

Working in Hot Weather

During the summer months we can look forward to some hot weather, however, it is not what most people consider to be ideal working conditions and it carries risks whether you work inside or out.

What constitutes acceptable working temperatures?

Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, the temperature inside workplace buildings, during working hours, must be ‘reasonable’. But what is meant by ‘reasonable’?

Health and Safety legislation does not refer to maximum temperatures, but it states, “the employer must provide a working environment which as far as is reasonably practicable, is safe and without risks to health.” Therefore whatever the temperature and measures taken to control it, the result must be a workplace that is safe and without risk to health.

What does it mean in practice to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of employees at work? We want employees to remain safe and healthy even when they are not at work, so what advice should we give them?

Indoor Workers

People working indoors have a broad mix of conditions to cope with, ranging from those who work in air conditioned offices to others who are in accommodation that offers little or no defence against outside temperatures.

People who particularly need our sympathy are those who work in premises that are hot and humid at the best of times, such as kitchens. High outside temperatures usually make things so much worse and there may appear to be little that can be done to improve the conditions because of the nature of the work being carried out.

Adequate ventilation must be ensured. Additional fans may be needed and efficient means for extracting stale air. In the worst cases, it may be necessary to call on the services of a ventilation engineer to solve the problem.

It is in everyone’s interest to address these issues because, apart from the risk to health, people who are working in premises that are too hot and humid will be uncomfortable and less efficient. That in turn is likely to lead to lower productivity and increased risk of accidents.

Outdoor Workers

Outdoor workers run major risks from sunburn, sunstroke and heat exhaustion and the risks typically increase for those involved in heavy physical work.

If adequate precautions are not taken, there are further risks with the possibility of rashes, burns or even skin cancer. The people most at risk are those who have fair skins and who don’t tan quickly. Whatever your susceptibility, good sun protection creams may help.

Recommended precautions, however, include frequent and plentiful drinks (clean water being preferable to other types of drink), with regular rest breaks in a cool place. Clothing should be worn to protect from the effects of direct radiation but, for obvious reasons, it should be light and loose fitting to allow body heat to escape easily.

Vulnerable Workers

Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of heat than others. A good example is pregnant workers.

Apart from personal consequences for the mother, breastfeeding may also be impaired by heat dehydration.

Regardless of temperature, employers are required to undertake specific risk assessments for pregnant workers. Typical temperatures in the workplace and the effects of particularly warm spells of weather should be included as part of such assessments.

Simple arrangements need to be made to combat the effects of excessive heat, such as ensuring adequate rest provision, along with suitable refreshment facilities.

Precautions

So in general, what should employers do?

The first task is to assess the problem. People’s comfort depends on a number of factors including humidity, air movement and change, heat sources associated with the work and any protective clothing that has to be worn. It is fair to say that if most people are complaining about the heat, then action needs to be taken regardless of thermometer readings.

Alongside assessing the problem, it is also worth assessing the effectiveness of control measures that are already in place. Is the air conditioning in need of maintenance or repair? Are window blinds broken? Are there sufficient fans and are they strategically placed? Is there an adequate supply of clean drinking water?

Other, less routine, possibilities includes examining job design or organisation of the works to move people away from direct heat sources (including windows, for example). Heat gain from windows can also be controlled at little additional cost by applying reflective film.

The next task is to ensure employees know how best to cope with the hot temperatures and, perhaps, relax such things as dress code. Employees should be actively encouraged to take plenty of drinks. Water coolers might encourage people to drink more water rather than other drinks, particularly anything containing caffeine. Outside workers in particular need to be able to recognise the symptoms of heat stress and how to deal with them.

If the problem is persistent, it may be appropriate to look at longer term solutions such as installing air conditioning or upgrading an aging system. Even small portable air conditioning units can make a useful contribution.

Although the law is vague when it comes to precise numbers, that doesn’t mean we are without authoritative guidance.

In terms of maximum temperature, the World Health Organisation recommends 24ºC(that is 75ºC). The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers recommends an acceptable temperature range for most types of work as 16ºCto 23ºC(that is 61ºFto 72ºF). However there are different ideal temperatures suggested for different workplaces such as 20ºCfor offices, 19ºC for hospital wards, 18ºCfor shops and 16ºCfor warehouses.

Given the cold and wet that we have to cope with for most of the year, we should be able to enjoy the occasional heat wave. We are all responsible for each other’s welfare, including employers and employees. So let’s do all we can to keep our cool as well as our safety and health during the hot weather.

For Further Information contact: mike.martin@tldallas.com or david.cartwright@tldallas.com

Personal injury claims reforms – April 2013 (delayed until July 2013)

Back in January 2012, the Government announced that the current Road Traffic Accident (RTA) portal scheme for low value claims up to £10,000 would be extended to Employers’ Liability (EL), Public Liability (PL) and motor claims with a value up to £25,000.

This briefing highlights the key provisions of the amended RTA Protocol and the new EL/PL Protocol. Further details will follow once the protocol is finalised.

RTA Protocol changes

The value of claims which will be dealt with under the scheme will increase from £10,000 to £25,000 with effect from the end of July 2013.

The level of fixed costs payable under the scheme is currently being consulted on, however are proposed to be reduced to: –

£500 for claims between £1,000 and £10,000 that settle without a hearing
£800 for claims between £10,000 and £25,000 that settle without a hearing
The timescales for admitting liability will remain at 15 working days

EL/PL Protocol

This will apply to an EL or PL accident or an EL disease claim where there is only a single defendant and where the value of the claim is up to £25,000. This comes into effect from the end of July 2013.

The Claimant will have to try to identify the Insurer and a Claims Notification Form (CNF) will be sent to that Insurer. If the Insurer cannot be identified then the CNF will be sent to the Defendant.

The Insurer or Defendant must send an electronic acknowledgement of the CNF the day after receipt.

There is then a period of only 30 working days for EL and 40 working days for PL, from the date of service of the CNF, for liability to be investigated.

For an admission of liability to be valid under the scheme it has to be a full admission i.e., without allegations of contributory negligence. If a full admission is not made then the claim falls outside the scheme

In EL claims details of the Claimant’s earnings must be provided 20 days after the admission of liability.

Damages will be increased by 10% to reflect the fact that success fees will no longer be recoverable

The level of fixed costs payable under the scheme is currently being consulted on, however are proposed to be reduced to: –

  • £900 for claims between £1,000 and £10,000 that settle without a hearing.
  • £1,600 for claims between £10,000 and £25,000 that settle without a hearing.

It is obviously going to be economically beneficial for claims to be handled within the scheme wherever possible, however if the claim does fall out of the scheme a separate matrix of costs is being consulted upon which includes a contingency element based upon a percentage of the Claimant’s Damages.

An unsuccessful Claimant will no longer have to pay the successful Defendant’s costs (known as Qualified One-way Costs Shifting or QOCS) unless the claim is proved to be fraudulent.

For further information and details please refer to your usual contact at TL Dallas or call us on 01274 465500.

IOSH Managing Safely – BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE

Following successes in running IOSH Approved safety training courses at various client locations we are planning to run an IOSH Managing Safely open course at our offices in Bradford in April 2013.

This course is approved by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). It is a highly regarded level of accreditation and widely recognised.

Managing Safely is a course for managers and supervisors in any sector and any organisation. It is designed to give managers all they need to know to help them handle health and safety in their teams. The flexible high impact programme covers all the main health and safety issues, and also includes a session tackling the environment.

Click here to see more.

20 Years of TL Dallas in Shetland

The firm of TL Dallas & Co Ltd opened its office in Shetland on 2nd April 1993 in premises above Jamieson’s knitwear shop on Commercial Street in Lerwick with one member of staff. Twenty years later, Shetland’s only independent insurance broker has seven staff and a consultant.

TL Dallas & Co Ltd was founded in 1919 by Thomas Lessels Dallas in Bradford and remains a leading independent insurance broker in the UK. It was through the fishing industry that the connection between TL Dallas and Shetland was formed and led to the decision to open an office in 1993.

Over the twenty years the firm has been in the island a wide client base has been built up with an ethos of providing a friendly local service. The company strongly believes that clients prefer to be able to meet their broker face to face and this in turn allows a relationship to be built up with their clients that is only possible with a local office and staff. The firm is therefore much better placed to understand the needs of clients and to get this across to insurers.

Commercial and personal insurances are handled by the office in Lerwick with the firm involved in most of the diverse range of business that can be found in Shetland including …

  • Manufacturing
  • Engineering
  • Building contractors
  • Fish/shellfish farming and processing
  • Motor traders
  • Commercial vessels
  • Shops and offices
  • Public halls
  • Marinas and boating clubs
  • Pleasure craft
  • Household
  • Private and commercial motor

… as well as more specialist covers that are often required by businesses.

After opening for business twenty years ago TL Dallas & Co Ltd is now an established and well known business in Shetland and the firm is looking forward to providing its services to business and personal clients for the next twenty years!

Please contact us and we’d be happy to help.

TL Dallas at Wembley

And so it was that a party of 61 from TL Dallas Group; colleagues, family, friends and clients ended up standing side by side and as one with 32,000 others on that historic day at Wembley stadium, singing at the top of our voices for Bradford City at the end of what proved to be a game too far for our heroic team.

This cup story starts a long time before the 24th February 2013, and our links a long time before that. Bradford City were last in contention for a major trophy in 1911, when they won the FA Cup. That year’s FA Cup was made in Bradford by one of our longest standing clients, Thomas Fattorini. It was another 8 years before Colonel Thomas Lessels Dallas started our company and since then we have grown to be one of the most successful Independent Brokers in the UK.

For many years, including those fantastic 2 years from 1999 in the Premier League, TL Dallas had been a supporter of the club. When those glory days were over, many of their sponsors walked away and the club faced some very difficult times.

As one of Bradford’s longest standing businesses we wanted to show our support. After a number of meetings we eventually agreed with Julian Rhodes that we would take over sponsorship of The Bradford End; Symphony Group had, along with many others, lost faith and the stand was left bearing their name but producing no revenue in return.

Our good friends and clients New Vision Signs & Graphics worked with us to repaint and convert it into the shiny new TL Dallas Stand. Now in our 10th year, we have seen some very harsh times, frustrating managers, and underperforming players, but have also witnessed one of the most loyal crowds in the Football League and seen a club that just won’t lie down.

So came the start of the 2012-13 season; something was different. It wasn’t the new TL Dallas logo on the stand, or the new club anthem “Claret & Amber”, or the hoops instead of stripes; it was a new found hope and it came in some of the most amazing cup games seen for many years.

In the first couple of rounds of the Capital One Cup it just seemed like a bit of long overdue good luck, until we were on the verge of going out away to Watford. But suddenly, when everyone had almost given up hope, we turned the game round and won. The next game was at home to Burton and, 2-0 down at half time, we forced extra time and clawed back to 2-2. Up stepped young Steven Darby to put away the winner. Maybe this season was going to be different?

Next up – a money spinning tie away at Premiership Wigan. Off we went with the other 5,000 faithful and after 120 minutes it was stalemate at 0-0. We could hardly watch, but Bradford were gaining a reputation as penalty shoot out kings. They didn’t disappoint!

We awaited the quarter final draw with anticipation – Arsenal at home! A nice cash windfall but surely that was the end of our cup run. The TL Dallas Stand looked great on Sky TV, taking pride of place as a backdrop to the pundits and featuring in the build up. The ticket scramble was like nothing seen before, even in our Premiership years.Bradford City v Arsenal

It was a freezing cold night; the pitch was slowing turning frosty white. Out came the teams, on went the game, then we scored; 1-0. It stayed like that until the last minutes of normal time, then suddenly Arsenal scored – extra time looming. Surely their superior strength and international super stars would overwhelm us now, but we fought hard and after 120 minutes held it to another draw. Another penalty shootout beckoned, but this time gloriously staged in front of the TL Dallas Stand live on Sky TV! Making it through would be a new English Record, and to the ecstatic joy of the home crowd, it was!

Another draw, who would it be? High flying Chelsea, hard working Swansea or struggling Aston Villa? Aston Villa it was with a home draw for the first leg, Another cold night and another team of Premiership Millionaires. Can Bradford cause another upset? Will the stand look good on the TV again?

What a crowd, what a team, what a night. 3-1 to Bradford! But then a 2 week wait for the second leg at Villa Park – another cold night with a huge Villa crowd, all with flags waving and high expectations – surely they can thrash lowly Bradford City?

At one stage they had five highly paid Premiership strikers lining up to try get back the deficit. They managed 2 goals on the night, but our £7,500 striker James Hanson, who only a few years ago was stacking shelves at the Coop, scored a vital away goal; 4-3 to City!

At last the dream. “CITY ARE GOING TO WEMBLEY”.

We loved our day out; the pride of Bradford, the loyalty rewarded after the years in the wilderness, the 32,000 fans waving flags and singing “We love you City” right to the end, the stories at the motorway services, the day our city and our football club stood tall and proud for all to see.

My brother came to the game. At 56 minutes we stood and clapped for those 56 lost in the fire; they had also played their part in inspiring the faith and determination that had kept Bradford City going; he and many others remembered that day in 1985 – he had been there on duty as a Police Officer; celebrating one minute and devastated the next. Today was different: In the end the result wasn’t important; this was for the 56, for their families and for a club that never gave up.

At Wembley we had lost to Premiership Swansea in a game that on paper we should never have even played, but we had fought to be there and we had done Bradford proud. At TL Dallas we remain equally proud of our association with Bradford City Football Club, whether good times or bad. Let’s hope this is just the start of some more good times!

Mike Martin

Group Director

The TLD 100 Campaign

Our centenary year is in 2019 and to mark this very special occasion we have decided to launch a charity initiative involving all our people throughout the UK.

There will be a number of charities chosen each year and our fundraising will be targeted specifically towards helping them.Over the next 6 years we have a goal to raise over £100,000 for local and national charities.

This is a massive challenge for all involved with T L Dallas but with hard work and determination we feel it is possible.  We would welcome any ideas, donations or offers of help.

Our chosen charities for this year are:

  • MIND
  • British Heart Foundation
  • Candlelighters (Yorkshire based children’s cancer charity)
  • Sedburgh Club & TheJoshua Project (Both Bradford based, helping to keep children off the street)
  • Alzheimers Society, Scotland

 

Join the TL Dallas Charitable Trust community:

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Text TLDA10 £5 to 70070 to donate to T L D Charitable Trust and make a difference today.