http://www.premierlinedirect.co.ukNews and updates from Premlierline Directen-gb15 Leading business insurance providers Premierline Direct are pleased to announce a new offering in their specialist insurance range, which will help those in the motor trade market to protect against business risks.  Premierline Direct's new product is designed for Motor Trade customers who don't own business premises and is available exclusively online; via the easy-to-use website. This product is designed for businesses or sole traders who don't have business premises to insure and run their motor trade business from home, such as buying and selling vehicles, mobile body repairs, auto-electrician and mobile mechanics. The insurance website is built on a sophisticated risk rating system, which allows competitive pricing for customers. In addition, it offers individuals a simple and convenient way to get a quote - as well. Premierline Direct's  Road Risk insurance policy has been created to cover legal liabilities, including damage or loss of any insured vehicle, and optional public liability cover. Policy holders can be sure that their business needs will be met, with the choice of adding cover for a range of optional extras, including product liability and legal costs and expenses.  Duncan Carter, managing director of Premierline Direct, said: "We know that Motor Traders are too busy running their own business to spend hours phoning around for insurance quotes.  With our new service we can provide our customers with a price within minutes on our website, at a time that suits them." http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2011/6/premierline-direct-launches-online-road-risk-insurance-for-motor-tradersThu, 30 Jun 2011 11:11:10 GMT http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2011/6/premierline-direct-launches-online-road-risk-insurance-for-motor-traders New rules announced by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) mean that all insurers will now have to publish information about any Employers' Liability (EL) policies their customers take out.  The effect of this new requirement by the FSA is that businesses taking out EL insurance - and nearly all businesses employing staff must do this by law - will need to provide a small amount of extra information when they take out their insurance. These extra details will mean that their company can be linked to an insurance policy on a database.  Why a change in the rules?  In the past, whenever an employee, an ex-employee or an agent (usually a solicitor), wanted to trace a business's insurance policy to make a claim, insurance companies had to search their records to try and identify the policy.   A voluntary code of conduct meant that insurance companies agreed to do this to the best of their ability. They had to keep records going back 60 years; but, of course, if no policy could be found, a business is still liable for meeting a claim made against it.  It was generally felt that this process was too slow and inefficient to offer the best help to claimants and potential claimants. It didn't serve businesses well either.  Now, after a review of the process by the government's Department for Works and Pensions, it has been decided by the FSA that explicit rules need to be introduced. That's why all EL policy details will need to be made public and their details made available to searchers.  The vast majority of these policy details will be held on a database managed by the Employers' Liability Tracing Office (ELTO). This is an independent industry body made up of EL insurers, including Allianz Insurance plc, who underwrite all Premierline Direct policies.  Already, some 95 per cent of EL insurance providers are members of ELTO and details of all new and renewed EL insurance policies, old EL policies that have new claims made against them and all successful traces from the current Tracing Service will be stored on its searchable database at Employers' Liability Tracing Office  Why the need for a centralised database?  Well, there doesn't have to be a centralised database. So long as insurers publish information on all the EL policies they sell, they don't have to submit them to ELTO. But virtually all insurers are part of ELTO (95 per cent) and so will follow the FSA rules by supplying data to the database; this will create, over time, a one-stop shop for finding relevant policies. ELTO is a completely independent non-profit-making company set up for the sole reason of providing quick and easy access to Employers' Liability (EL) policies.  Essentially then, ELTO helps find the insurer of a company when a former employee wants to make a claim for injury or disease caused at work.  How will this help businesses?  The likelihood is that this whole process will have no effect on your business at all.  What it will do, though, is make a difference to historic claims - those that relate to employment perhaps many years ago; or claims made against companies that have ceased to trade.  From a company's point of view, it means that they won't have to keep detailed records of their insurance policies anymore.  It means that insurers can be identified more speedily and claims dealt with by the insurer more efficiently.  Good news then for businesses that want to concentrate on the present and the future, rather than the past.  What does it mean for Premierline Direct customers?  Premierline Direct, along with all other insurance providers, will have to publish details of EL policies they provide.  Premierline Direct will do that by passing details to Allianz Insurance plc, who will pass these on to ELTO.  So, from April 2012 any business taking out an EL policy will have to supply a small amount of additional information that helps easily identify that business, such as the Companies House number for the business and the Employer Reference Number - often called the PAYE number.  Premierline Direct want to be ready for the changes coming next year and will start collecting the necessary data earlier, probably from around June this year when providing policies over the phone.  Doing it a little earlier than is compulsory will ensure that all systems are ready, to comply with the new rules in a timely way. Premierline Direct believe that this kind of preparation is the appropriate, responsible and professional way to provide business insurance. http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2011/6/new-rules-on-employers’-liability-insurance-policies-and-what-they-mean-for-businessesThu, 30 Jun 2011 10:56:55 GMT http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2011/6/new-rules-on-employers’-liability-insurance-policies-and-what-they-mean-for-businesses Business insurance specialist Premierline Direct is delighted to announce that its parent company, Allianz Insurance plc, has been named Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year, 2010. Allianz scooped the prestigious Insurance Times award after being voted into first place by a highly respected and diverse panel of judges, all experts from the insurance industry. Allianz provides a wide range of business insurance solutions and Premierline Direct is a key part of its commercial offering, as one of the Uk's leading direct business insurance providers.. Looking for excellence in the highly competitive field of Commercial Lines Insurance, the 19-strong judging panel's brief was to identify a company with the right combination of initiative, innovation, great service and, of course, outstanding products. Premierline Direct Managing Director, Chris Little, said: "Our customers have long appreciated that we're the best at what we do and it's great that experts from within the industry agree. "We do what we do so well because we make sure we put our customers first and adapt quickly to a fast-changing commercial environment. We understand businesses and that's why our clients see us as very much as partners.  We were the UK's first direct operation to focus soley on business insurance and undersand our customers needs.  That's what makes us unique. "This is a fantastic achievement and reflects brilliantly on all of our hardworking team who can all take great pride in the award". http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/12/allianz-insurance-plc-voted-commercial-insurer-of-the-yearFri, 17 Dec 2010 11:12:30 GMT http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/12/allianz-insurance-plc-voted-commercial-insurer-of-the-year I own a small hotel and restaurant. Another local business was recently devastated by fire and was forced to close. How can I ensure my business is protected if the same thing happens to us? Chris Little, Managing Director at Premierline Direct, answers: The first step is to complete a simple risk assessment identifying possible sources of where a fire could start. This may include kitchens, electrical wiring, contractor's work or weak areas of the building that might be susceptible to arson attacks. Having understood the risks, a business should adopt preventative measures. Legally, all businesses have to abide by the 'Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997', which are designed to make the workplace as safe as possible. As part of these regulations, you must put certain measures in place such as emergency exit routes, fire doors, emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment and fire alarms. Also, in high-risk areas, such as the kitchen, automatic fire detectors should be installed to give extra protection for staff and business contents. Fire suppression equipment should be considered over cooking ranges, and remember to have a regular maintenance contract to clean grease and other deposits from extraction ducting. Any signage on your premises should comply with the 'Health and Safety (Safety Signs & Signals) Regulations 1996' to point staff or visitors on the premises to escape routes or emergency exits and make sure staff are aware of emergency procedures. Make sure that you are covered by a comprehensive and tailored insurance policy. Ensure you update and re-value your records to confirm that you are always fully protected if you have to make a claim. Another area is business interruption, which covers any loss of income following a disaster, such as a fire or flood; with the aim of getting your business back on its feet as quickly as possible. It provides a financial safety net by covering any reasonable additional expenditure incurred in maintaining the income of your business. http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/strategy-clinic---caterer-and-hotelkeeperTue, 23 Mar 2010 16:37:20 GMT http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/strategy-clinic---caterer-and-hotelkeeper The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has reported tax inspections are on the rise and recent research from business insurance specialists, Premierline Direct has highlighted the disruptive impact this can have on business owners. In the current climate where a business cannot afford to take any risks, Chris Little, managing director of Premierline Direct offers advice on how companies can supplement the support from their financial advisor to protect themselves when under investigation. The FSB reported that more SMEs are experiencing a tax inspection and that there has been a 10 per cent rise in the number of cases within the last year. Further exasperating the situation for business owners is the fact that the Chancellor gave HM Revenue & Customs greater powers to inspect companies at shorter notice in the last Finance Bill. While businesses recognise the importance of having a good, qualified accountant or financial advisor in the first instance who will ensure that the company adheres to stringent accountancy rules and regulations, there is no certainty that a business will not be investigated. Having additional protection can provide reassurance for the business owner should they find their company under investigation. Under Commercial Legal Protection within a business insurance policy, businesses can find shelter. It may not seem the most obvious cover for a business to have and it isn't compulsory like employer's liability, but it will help to financially protect a firm in a tax inspection or VAT dispute. With businesses funding the cost of an inspection from company profits, business savings or even personal savings, the value of having Commercial Legal Protection goes beyond just eliminating the emotional stress caused by the situation. In the event of a full enquiry or aspect enquiry, for example where the HM Revenue & Customs is investigating a specific element of the business' accounts such as employee bonuses, tax returns or National Insurance contributions, having Commercial Legal Protection will mean the insurance provider will either appoint an accountant to act on the business' behalf or use the policyholder's existing advisor. The level of protection provided by the cover will include the cost of the expert's time spent negotiating with the HM Revenue & Customs throughout the dispute. It will also cover VAT disputes and Employer's Compliance. With recent research highlighting that business owners find tax inspections disruptive, a constant worry, make it difficult for them to focus on running their company and more stressful than moving house or even starting the business, any measures they can take to reduce the stress and anxiety of being investigated is of benefit. In the event of receiving a letter from HM Revenue & Customs, all it takes is one call to the insurance provider to make a claim for assistance and alleviate the stress of dealing with the situation. http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/take-the-stress-out-of-an-investigationTue, 23 Mar 2010 16:32:23 GMT http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/take-the-stress-out-of-an-investigation The internet is proving to be critical to the success of the UK's SME population as research from Premierline Direct, the business insurance specialists, shows that business owners are relying on the great world wide web to help cut the cost of running their company. Consumer concerns over the credit crunch and rising fuel are driving a 38 per cent surge in online spending this year, 51 per cent of businesses said they use the internet because it gives them more control over expenditure and believe it is more cost effective than using more traditional methods to purchase goods or services, such as insurance. In addition, it seems more SMEs are turning to the internet as part of their day to day operations to improve efficiency with 70 per cent of business owners reported to use it to reduce travel and time spent out of the office, believing it makes them more productive. As small businesses become more online-focused to reflect changes in consumer patterns, firms themselves are using the internet more, with over half purchasing more online than they did three years ago. And it's not just that company bosses are surfing the net during working hours as 28 per cent prefer to use it before 9am or after 5.30pm. Businesses are using the net for a variety of activities. Half now pay their bills online and 72 per cent use it for managing their finances. Purchasing online is popular among companies as 54 per cent buy IT equipment via the web, 43 per cent use it for ordering stationery and over a third for booking travel. Chris Little, managing director of Premierline Direct, said: "The growth of the internet has really made products and services more accessible to business owners and is an ideal tool for companies looking to make time and cost savings by shopping around for the best deals, whilst also benefiting from the speed and simplicity the online channel offers" Premierline Direct, part of the Allianz Group, provides cover to a wide range of industries from shops and offices to hotels and manufacturing, tailoring its insurance packages to meet the diverse needs of each business. In addition to helping business owners find the right level of cover, Premierline Direct offers its customers a benefits programme, which includes an extensive choice of discounts and deals from over 50 nationwide suppliers, including Apple Store, Nationwide Autocentres, Npower, Esso and HP, helping businesses to make savings on the cost of running their company. http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/online-provides-a-lifeline-for-smesTue, 23 Mar 2010 16:02:18 GMT http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/online-provides-a-lifeline-for-smes Recent research has shown SMEs are leaving themselves wide open to potential crippling losses and legal claims amounting to over £3billion, by failing to have the right level of business insurance. Perhaps more worrying is that nearly a third (30%) don't have business insurance at all. This is despite the fact that over half are concerned about the growing 'blame and claim' culture. SMEs can't afford to take risks and business insurance is one area a company shouldn't be operating without. Here Chris Little from Premierline Direct offers advice on how to find the best protection: 1. Identify what is most important. With cashflow being the lifeblood of your business, make sure you are protected for what is most important to you and choose a reputable insurance provider that can react quickly to a claim so you are not left having to finance the recovery yourself. 2. Be realistic. Only 40 per cent of SMEs have re-valued their business' assets in the last 12 months so in the event of making a claim, they could find they won't receive a payout that will cover the actual replacement cost. If you've bought new equipment or expanded in any way that has increased the contents value, tell the insurance company and don't be afraid to extend cover limits. 3. Shop around. Particularly if you've been with the same provider for years. It's good to evaluate the cost of all suppliers as no two providers are the same. Some insurance companies offer added-value services such as customer benefits programmes where you can save money on not just the cost of your business insurance but on many additional costs incurred in your business operations. 4. Read the small print. Insurance companies will put exclusions and limitations on policies, for example outlining a minimum standard of security, so it's important to read this information so you know what is expected. 5. Consider going direct. Going direct to the insurance provider, either online or via the telephone, will ensure that you have a complete picture of exactly what your business is covered for. Above all though, it can potentially get you a better deal, saving you money. http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/help-take-the-risk-out-of-running-a-businessTue, 23 Mar 2010 15:31:09 GMT http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/help-take-the-risk-out-of-running-a-business Recent research has shown SMEs are leaving themselves wide open to potential crippling losses and legal claims amounting to over £3billion, by failing to have the right level of business insurance. Perhaps more worrying is that nearly a third (30%) don't have business insurance at all. This is despite the fact that over half are concerned about the growing 'blame and claim' culture. SMEs can't afford to take risks and business insurance is one area a company shouldn't be operating without. Here Chris Little from Premierline Direct offers advice on how to find the best protection: 1. Identify what is most important. With cashflow being the lifeblood of your business, make sure you are protected for what is most important to you and choose a reputable insurance provider that can react quickly to a claim so you are not left having to finance the recovery yourself. 2. Be realistic. Only 40 per cent of SMEs have re-valued their business' assets in the last 12 months so in the event of making a claim, they could find they won't receive a payout that will cover the actual replacement cost. If you've bought new equipment or expanded in any way that has increased the contents value, tell the insurance company and don't be afraid to extend cover limits. 3. Shop around. Particularly if you've been with the same provider for years. It's good to evaluate the cost of all suppliers as no two providers are the same. Some insurance companies offer added-value services such as customer benefits programmes where you can save money on not just the cost of your business insurance but on many additional costs incurred in your business operations. 4. Read the small print. Insurance companies will put exclusions and limitations on policies, for example outlining a minimum standard of security, so it's important to read this information so you know what is expected. 5. Consider going direct. Going direct to the insurance provider, either online or via the telephone, will ensure that you have a complete picture of exactly what your business is covered for. Above all though, it can potentially get you a better deal, saving you money. http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/top-tips-when-considering-business-insuranceTue, 23 Mar 2010 15:21:34 GMT http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/top-tips-when-considering-business-insurance UK firms are advised to be particularly vigilant this festive season as vacant properties, more cash in the tills and the pressure to have a good time, heighten crime risk. According to new research from Premierline Direct, the business insurance specialists, a third of SME owners believe crime against businesses is on the rise; a view supported by Home Office criminologists, who earlier this year predicted that the credit crunch will bring an end to falling crime rates. The most common type of crime against businesses is theft from premises (54 per cent) and with many companies taking time off over the festive period, leaving property empty, the threat increases. This is followed by fraud (19 per cent), malicious damage (16 per cent) and theft from a vehicle (16 per cent). Other types of events noted from SMEs included online fraud and theft from staff. Worryingly, the research showed that the average cost for a claim amounts to £3,409, which is money the business owner would have to find if they didn't have adequate cover. Also, it's not just a case of businesses experiencing criminal activity just once. Of the SMEs that have been a victim of crime, 35 per cent have been targeted more than three times and 36 per cent have had an incident in the last twelve months. To help businesses in the fight against crime, Premierline Direct has launched www.beatbusinesscrime.co.uk; which provides a platform for regional business communities to keep in touch about crime in their area. The website's forum allows users to post a message about an incident so that their business neighbours can be on the alert. In addition, it features a risk assessment questionnaire to help SMEs identify how susceptible their business is to criminal activity and offers information on how to protect themselves. Chris Little, Managing Director of Premierline Direct says: "The general consensus among the SME community is that crime against businesses is on the increase. So we've listened to the views of small businesses, who said they would find it useful to have a forum where they could get advice and share information with other business owners in their area, and responded to their needs by launching the Beat Business Crime website. "To reduce the risk of business crime it's important that businesses do all they can to protect themselves, for example by preventing unlawful access to their premises or by undertaking proper checks on new employees. But it's also important that they review their insurance policy to ensure they have accurately valued their assets and have the correct level of insurance cover in place. "We understand how disruptive a claim can be and therefore want to help businesses avoid being a victim of crime. The Beat Business Crime website is a step towards achieving this." Compounding the fact that business crime is not recorded separately by the police, it seems that many SMEs choose not to report the incident. Of the companies that had been a victim of crime, a third admitted they had not bothered to report it with 29 per cent saying they didn't see the point. For more information and advice about business crime, visit http://www.beatbusinesscrime.co.uk http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/business-crime-set-to-soar-at-christmasTue, 23 Mar 2010 15:17:48 GMT http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/business-crime-set-to-soar-at-christmas The New Year is traditionally a time for change with people promising to embark on more fulfilled lifestyles. Research from Premierline Direct, the business insurance specialists, has found that owning a business actually has a positive affect on the wellbeing of small business owners. Despite the perception that running a business is stressful, 82 per cent of the UK's SME population say their stress levels haven't changed since they became their own boss with half saying they feel less tense. As they feel under less pressure, 81 per cent said they experience a restful night's sleep with less than half saying they have never woken up in the night to attend to a business matter. As well as revelling in a better night's sleep, small business owners enjoy additional health benefits with a quarter cited as drinking less alcohol since starting their own company. SMEs also believe they have a better work-life balance with over a third socialising more with family and friends and 32 per cent having more leisure time to pursue hobbies and interests. Chris Little, managing director of Premierline Direct said: "It's great to hear that business owners are reaping the rewards of being their own boss. Starting a business takes a lot of hard work and provides many challenges, but owners can remove unnecessary strain by ensuring they use reliable and knowledgeable service providers. For example, when you start up a company don't forget that you can use your buying experiences as a consumer within your business dealings to help you get better value for money, such as going direct to your business insurance provider, as you would for your home or car insurance. "There has never been a better time for businesses to look at their suppliers and find a business insurance provider that not only gives a great price, but also offers added value services and support in running a successful business. In addition to helping business owners find the right level of cover, Premierline Direct offers customers access to business support services including its risk management website, Risk Director, helping new and experienced owners alike, enjoy a stress free life!" http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/owning-a-business-is-good-for-your-healthTue, 23 Mar 2010 15:08:15 GMT http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk/knowledge/press-releases/2010/3-/23/owning-a-business-is-good-for-your-health