Covid: Shed and garage offices pose insurance risk
08/04/2021
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news
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business
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Plans to convert sheds, garages and extensions in order to work from home can leave some uninsured.
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revolutionnow999
08/04/2021 09:01:05
47
5
bbc
A robber broke into my shed.... and left me a tenner....out of sympathy.
You can afford a shed?!
Who needs home insurance? I don't.
My contents are not worth much, no burglar would want them. The newest items ar now more than 25 years old...
Building insurance (covering fire, storms, earthquakes etc.) comes out of my service charges and is paid by the building management. The only insurance I pay is National Insurance (NI) contributions.
My contents are not worth much, no burglar would want them. The newest items ar now more than 25 years old...
Building insurance (covering fire, storms, earthquakes etc.) comes out of my service charges and is paid by the building management. The only insurance I pay is National Insurance (NI) contributions.
While they're at it, can they also look into the deliveroo, just eat, hermes delivery drivers that are using their own vehicles for and work use which, if insured, are likley to only have social, domestic, pleasure and commuting to work insurance on them- thus making it null and void and uninsured.
Perhaps someone delivers pizzas socially.Meals on wheels sort of service.Feeding people not only literally but emotionally in such extreme circumstances by giving them some companionship.Often a "How are you? you look grand today" accompanied w/ a big smile even on the doorstep makes people's day and cheers them up.Everythin is subjective. Insurance providers are just cold heartless institutions
any proof of this, or just a rant?
That would be The Police's job to do that
They do - there was a social media post by a Police force who impounded a vehicle being used for food delivery that had no business insurance.
I had a 13 yer old boy get out of his mother's car and deliver a parcel on behalf of Herpes
It happens all the time. Uber Eats shows the vehicle type and registration number that is supposidly being used - its amazing how many say 'bicycle' and then a car rolls up with your order.
bicycles dont require 3rd party liability insurance. so cycle couriers and food deliveries are basically cost free.
While I think it's very predatory practice it's true that there should be more focus on this. I was told by my insurer I'd need additional cover to drive 2 miles between two churches for volunteering at a mission for a week over the summer.
They can be extremely strict and they may not always investigate claims but anyone using a car in any way should make sure they're covered for that use.
They can be extremely strict and they may not always investigate claims but anyone using a car in any way should make sure they're covered for that use.
To be fair to the likes of Just Eat and Deliveroo - you cannot start working with them unless you provide proof of correct insurance.
It's not the companies that are the issue, it's the people. I don't think there's anything the companies can do to stop people cancelling insurance or using a different vehicle once they've started.
This is nothing new, happens with private hire taxis too.
It's not the companies that are the issue, it's the people. I don't think there's anything the companies can do to stop people cancelling insurance or using a different vehicle once they've started.
This is nothing new, happens with private hire taxis too.
Around a 20% drop in daily commutes will do wonders for the traffic jams, not sure where the missing tax will come from in using less fuel, maybe from the fuel used to heat each home during the day, so much for carbon targets, as usual, good on one hand, bad on the other
Insurance companies looking at how to cover there loss of turnover as businesses reduce the need for commercial premises.
A home occupied during the day is less likely to be burgled.
How about passing the relevant reductions on?
A home occupied during the day is less likely to be burgled.
How about passing the relevant reductions on?
It's absolutely negligible I'm afraid. Their loss of turnover (which is also negligible) is offset by reduced risk. That's the underwriting game. I hate to have to tell you but personal lines insurance is small-beer money swap for insurance companies.
They should but they won't. They will think of some clever reason why not.
Theft risks are negligible for most insurers. Increased strains on homes such as pipework, electrics etc. with escape of water claims are the most common/costly incidents, caused by freezing burst pipes, age, increased usage, to a leaking dishwasher or overflowing blocked toilet, water damage is one of the most common types of claim, with insurers paying out £1.8 million for it every day....
And of course, a car parked up because it's not been driven to the office is a lower risk too. Funny how these savings don't seem to filter down to the consumer.
but more likely to cause damage and have disaters like electric fires etc
Surely people have been working in their sheds and garages forever. Building stuff, either practical or ornamental for their homes and gardens or for friends and family. What's the difference?
Or is a 'man in his shed' now an insurance liability that makes retirement pottering an expensive way to past the time?
Or is a 'man in his shed' now an insurance liability that makes retirement pottering an expensive way to past the time?
"Man in shed" probably not insured against personal injury, only against shed burning down. Former is much more likely than latter.
The difference is, is the work for personal use and therefore no financial gain (tinkering for one's own pleasure) or for hire or reward ie being paid to do something, or receiving payment for good sold and items produced. This has always been the case
The premium difference here is absolutely minimal and negligible to the insurance industry.
In office, workplace assessments obligatory: desk height, lighting, seat adjustment etc. Are employers going to assess every homeworker? They aren't providing desks/chairs/lights! Aviva featured here - they are closing offices and two neighbours now work exclusively from home. Prediction: neck/back pain, eyestrain will result. What do HR have to say?
It's not difficult to implement, a former employer of mine was doing DSE assessments using the company intranet nearly two decades ago. Just remind them the have a legal obligation to conduct them...
https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/
https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/
Exactly right and why have the HSE/Government been so quiet on the risks posed by home working - employers have a duty of care, just wondering how many working from home audits have been carried out??
I think the onus is on the homeowner.
You want to work from home; YOUR home. It is YOUR responsibility.
Can you imagine employees suing their company because they cut their hand on a chipped mug from their own home kitchen? Absurd!
You can't have it both ways.
What if you work from a pop up coffee shop style office? Is your employer liable for their H&S as well?
You want to work from home; YOUR home. It is YOUR responsibility.
Can you imagine employees suing their company because they cut their hand on a chipped mug from their own home kitchen? Absurd!
You can't have it both ways.
What if you work from a pop up coffee shop style office? Is your employer liable for their H&S as well?
Have worked from home for over 17 years, fortunately as a freelance. That included a couple of years working from an armchair with laptop balanced on knees. No assessments not seat adjustment, current desk is repurposed kitchen table, No neck or back pain, no eye strain, and best of all no micromanagement by an HR idiot.
Surely health and safety a big issue and the employer must be responsible for any additional insurance requirements for their staff to work from home
Only if staff are given an option. Aviva staff now ONLY working from home have no choice, but probably have Aviva staff insurance policies, too. Self-employed using garage or shed are different case and probably uninsurable as well as unassessed for H&S.
LoL. Keep dreaming.
In office, using employer's internet. At home, work is impossible without internet. What happens when home internet goes down? Will IT Support be chasing Virgin/Sky/BT for home workers? Not all staff are IT experts and ISPs notorious for not answering phone and taking time to fix. Staff must tell home insurer they work from home - every year when switching insurers whose own staff work from home..
A fair comment, the weak link in the chain and employers need to provide internet back up over mobile should the hardwire system fail.
That has happened to me twice in the past year. The IT department won't help. What happens is I get a few hours off work until it comes back online.
A quick check over the insurance docs / call to your insurer is all that's needed.
Any premium increase would probably be nominal (assuming nothing 'risky' in the work being done).
So no need to make a fuss dear..................
Any premium increase would probably be nominal (assuming nothing 'risky' in the work being done).
So no need to make a fuss dear..................
Continuing on an existing home insurance policy by paying extra premium for home-working and/or home-office is NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD or IMPOSSIBLE. Many insurers simply don't cover home-working, have no alternative policies from standard home insurance. We discovered this when our broker switched us to a cheaper brand at renewal but the new insurer later cancelled upon finding hubby worked at home.
In office, using employer's internet. At home, work is impossible without internet. What happens when home internet goes down? Will IT Support be chasing Virgin/Sky/BT for home workers? Not all staff are IT experts and ISPs notorious for not answering phone and taking time to fix. Staff must tell home insurer they work from home - every year when switching insurers whose own staff work from home..
I think you'll find that employers can't have back up plans for perhaps thousands of employees. They will accept that if there are individual outages then that employee will be less productive for a short time.
I suppose the risk will be that sheds/garages will be the target for burglers as they hope to find computer equipment in there. However, that stuff usually belongs to the employer. So is it the employers responsibility to pay the insurance? Who supplies the alarm system etc.
If you choose to work offsite I imagine the employee is responsible for any equipment they are the custodian of whilst off-site.
I'd check with your employer if you've just started working from home. For example my employer, (large US multi-national) expect my contents insurance to apply, and I can claim for any increase in policy costs. Whether they would force that I don't know.....
When we decamped to work from home last March an interesting issue arose. We were only allowed to take our laptops as all the other equipment was not insured out of the office. At this point we all refused. We all have multiple monitors and some have digitizer. Management very quickly realised the stupidity of their decision and let us take everything. They covered the insurance.
Surely people have been working in their sheds and garages forever. Building stuff, either practical or ornamental for their homes and gardens or for friends and family. What's the difference?
Or is a 'man in his shed' now an insurance liability that makes retirement pottering an expensive way to past the time?
Or is a 'man in his shed' now an insurance liability that makes retirement pottering an expensive way to past the time?
In office, using employer's internet. At home, work is impossible without internet. What happens when home internet goes down? Will IT Support be chasing Virgin/Sky/BT for home workers? Not all staff are IT experts and ISPs notorious for not answering phone and taking time to fix. Staff must tell home insurer they work from home - every year when switching insurers whose own staff work from home..
Surely people have been working in their sheds and garages forever. Building stuff, either practical or ornamental for their homes and gardens or for friends and family. What's the difference?
Or is a 'man in his shed' now an insurance liability that makes retirement pottering an expensive way to past the time?
Or is a 'man in his shed' now an insurance liability that makes retirement pottering an expensive way to past the time?
Surely any increase risk due to home working would be offset by a household being less likely to be burgled or broken into as they’d be someone in most of the time . Insurance companies trying to find an issue that doesn’t really exist.
That's a very good point.
Over the last year I've been working from home, and my son who is doing a post-grad degree has spent that time studying in his bedroom. As a result, our house is hardly ever empty. There's always someone there.
Pre-Covid, it was frequently empty during weekdays.
Over the last year I've been working from home, and my son who is doing a post-grad degree has spent that time studying in his bedroom. As a result, our house is hardly ever empty. There's always someone there.
Pre-Covid, it was frequently empty during weekdays.
Theft risks are negligible for most insurers. Increased strains on homes such as pipework, electrics etc. with escape of water claims are the most common/costly incidents, caused by freezing burst pipes, age, increased usage, to a leaking dishwasher or overflowing blocked toilet, water damage is one of the most common types of claim, with insurers paying out £1.8 million for it every day....
They aren't looking for an issue, they are noting that people may not be covered sue to the T's & C's
Sad times for burglars
You're already asked when people are at home: day & night, day only, night only.
And per the article, the main concern here is about the type of work. I doubt it covers many, but per the example - work involving fire. That significantly increases the risk.
As someone else said, theft is not a major issue, especially value wise, for insurers & mostly happens overnight anyway.
And per the article, the main concern here is about the type of work. I doubt it covers many, but per the example - work involving fire. That significantly increases the risk.
As someone else said, theft is not a major issue, especially value wise, for insurers & mostly happens overnight anyway.
Yes and selling you more insurance at a higher price!
It’s true that the burglary risk reduces but risk on contents due to accidental damage is greater as you are in the property longer.
I used that exact same argument with my insurance provider when I started working from home full time a few years back and they agreed. I don't store stock and only do office type work so there was no additional charges or conditions put on my policy.
This is just part of a long series of 'get back to work plebs' stories that will be run over the coming weeks. Just ignore it. Most people and firms are happy with current arrangements so BS Boris and his cronies will have to do without the office rent and fuel duty, which is what this is really about.
In office, workplace assessments obligatory: desk height, lighting, seat adjustment etc. Are employers going to assess every homeworker? They aren't providing desks/chairs/lights! Aviva featured here - they are closing offices and two neighbours now work exclusively from home. Prediction: neck/back pain, eyestrain will result. What do HR have to say?
It's not difficult to implement, a former employer of mine was doing DSE assessments using the company intranet nearly two decades ago. Just remind them the have a legal obligation to conduct them...
https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/
https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/
If people are at home working, surely the risk of crime is reduced. If you spot someone messing with your property you can then 'deal' with them in a suitable way.
Call the police and be given a crime reference number?
I think that the problem lies in the type of Insurance that you have. Most people have normal Home and Contents Insurance however, once you turn part of your home into an Office you actually need to let your Insurer know as you have changed the nature of your home. and if you don't tell them you may have invalidated your Insurance - similar to Social, Domestic, Business & pleasure for your car!
The problem is that by not telling the insurance company about the new situation you invalidate all of your insurance cover not just the theft aspect. Working from home will increase the risk of accidental damage as you are there more often, extra computer gear and activity could lead to an increased fire risk, etc. All of which will not be covered if you haven't told your insurer about changes.
Let the dogs out then hide the body!
Got it covered.
Got it covered.
Not if you're in the converted shed, garage or summerhouse...
The British will always find a way to defraud the insurance man. It's the national sport.
because its a way of getting back at a lousy industry which will find anyway of wriggling out of paying claims. Ts and Cs riddled with exclusions. Of all the industries, the Insurance Sector is the one that has been least helpful during Covid. You only have to look at the Class Action being taken against them to force them to pay out for Business Interruption
More like the insurance industry ripping off the British public as a sport , happy to take payments each month with over inflation increases each year , less happy to pay out without each receipt in triplicate.
Sounds like a few punters didn't get their carpets replaced, despite their best 'efforts'.
In office, workplace assessments obligatory: desk height, lighting, seat adjustment etc. Are employers going to assess every homeworker? They aren't providing desks/chairs/lights! Aviva featured here - they are closing offices and two neighbours now work exclusively from home. Prediction: neck/back pain, eyestrain will result. What do HR have to say?
The British will always find a way to defraud the insurance man. It's the national sport.
because its a way of getting back at a lousy industry which will find anyway of wriggling out of paying claims. Ts and Cs riddled with exclusions. Of all the industries, the Insurance Sector is the one that has been least helpful during Covid. You only have to look at the Class Action being taken against them to force them to pay out for Business Interruption
Wrong weatherlobe. The insurance industry has been cracking on throughout the pandemic, working continuously. Keeping full employment (no furlough), paying all that tax to support you no doubt. You cite the business interruption class action as if that is all of insurance! It accounts for about 0.00001% of insurance. Back to school.
It wasn't a class action, only a few insurers were ruled against, the vast majority clearly didn't cover against the Covid19 novovirus. Their wording was not found to be open to legal interpretation. A few however were sloppy (mostly not ABI members) and were caught out, no sympathy there. One thing is for sure, all policies will now clearly exclude pandemics, they're an uninsurable risk.
I think that the problem lies in the type of Insurance that you have. Most people have normal Home and Contents Insurance however, once you turn part of your home into an Office you actually need to let your Insurer know as you have changed the nature of your home. and if you don't tell them you may have invalidated your Insurance - similar to Social, Domestic, Business & pleasure for your car!
The British will always find a way to defraud the insurance man. It's the national sport.
If one employee has a problem with home internet, the employer might lose a few hours work time. If the office internet goes down, they lose hundreds or even thousands of hours. Although that's less likely to happen, the employer's risk is lower when workers are dispersed - assuming they can work in the cloud, and are not reliant on office-based servers.
Insurance companies looking at how to cover there loss of turnover as businesses reduce the need for commercial premises.
A home occupied during the day is less likely to be burgled.
How about passing the relevant reductions on?
A home occupied during the day is less likely to be burgled.
How about passing the relevant reductions on?
No surprise really, Insurers will always find a way to squeeze you for more dosh.
And in your business you've never put up prices?
Continuing on an existing home insurance policy by paying extra premium for home-working and/or home-office is NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD. Many insurers simply don't cover home-working, don't have any alternative policies from standard home insurance; we discovered this when our broker switched us to a cheaper brand at renewal but the new insurer later cancelled upon finding hubby worked at home. Beware.
There is a much bigger risk when working in the garden shed: SPIDERS!
Nothing wrong with spiders. They are just doing their thing, and mean us no harm. And it is bad luck to harm them!
An even bigger risk is dozing off as the shed warms up in the sunshine. Might be just me! :-D
Only if you jump out of your skin on seeing one, hit your head on the ceiling, fall back down unconscious and knock over your heater, causing a fire...
In Australia maybe, but the average UK garden spider is not going to cause many issues.
Never kill spiders ... they eat all sort of other unpleasant bugs that invade your house.
The spider in my shed is not a problem. He spends most of his time looking at flies on the web.
No surprise really, Insurers will always find a way to squeeze you for more dosh.
No, my company has not put up prices since 2017.
We have not had a pay rise either.
The leeches however carry on sucking the blood from their victims.....
We have not had a pay rise either.
The leeches however carry on sucking the blood from their victims.....
The problem is that by not telling the insurance company about the new situation you invalidate all of your insurance cover not just the theft aspect. Working from home will increase the risk of accidental damage as you are there more often, extra computer gear and activity could lead to an increased fire risk, etc. All of which will not be covered if you haven't told your insurer about changes.
If you are morally and ethically bereft then Insurance is surely a great industry in which to operate. Every pay out means higher premiums for customers. Its an industry cartel driven by small print exclusion zones praying on the uninitiated's' lack of attention to detail. I don't recall hearing of many insurance companies going bust.
There have been many over the years especially before tighter regulation was brought in. Fire Auto and Marine went bust owing tens of millions and who paid the outstanding claims - the Motor Insurers Bureau. And who funds them - Motor Insurers.
There are plenty of syndicates who make massive losses each year though
Thank you for saying I am morally and ethically bereft then. You've just shown how you know absolutely nothing about an very important industry that has for centuries allowed businesses to create opportunities for numpties like you to have a job because they are able to transfer their risks away for an annual premium. And personal lines insurance is a drop in the ocean compared to commercial.
And if you want to do a bit of research, multiple insurance companies have gone bust, or incur huge losses requiring capital injection. You seem to know the square root of zero. Go back to frying chicken.
Here's a list for you of the insurers who HAVE gone insolvent:
https://www.fscs.org.uk/what-we-cover/insurance/insurance-insolvencies/
Many more have been taken over when they run into problems and ultra-tight regulation, the strictest in the world, prevents many many more.
So we've shown you know absolutely nothing haven't we.
Time to apologise for calling insurance "morally bereft".
https://www.fscs.org.uk/what-we-cover/insurance/insurance-insolvencies/
Many more have been taken over when they run into problems and ultra-tight regulation, the strictest in the world, prevents many many more.
So we've shown you know absolutely nothing haven't we.
Time to apologise for calling insurance "morally bereft".
Don't want to be all "grown-up" here, but I think they offer a genuine service, giving people peace of mind and the ability to plan. So long as they are honest and both sides know what they're getting, but that could be said of most industries ....
Insurance is socialism- the risk is shared by all who agree to be part of it. Some get back more, some less. It's like the NHS for property.
Many insurers have gone bust -Equitable Life, Fire Auto and Marine Insurance to name just two.
I've heard of too many examples where they've happily taken policy payments and then only on a claim have they gone out of their way to invalidate it as it's cheaper to refund the premiums than to pay the claim.
Also my father-in-law recently had to make a relatively small claim for a car accident. Come renewal he has protected no claims so they just jacked up his premium instead. Cretins.
Also my father-in-law recently had to make a relatively small claim for a car accident. Come renewal he has protected no claims so they just jacked up his premium instead. Cretins.
sadly its all about money. insurances are a mindfield and you need to shop around. when you her the classic your premium is going up dont believe a word of it. always get two or three quotes. when you tell you insurance company about any change they always use this to their advantage. when you say uyou will get another quote your company will straigh away drop the price. dont fall for the flannel.
In office, workplace assessments obligatory: desk height, lighting, seat adjustment etc. Are employers going to assess every homeworker? They aren't providing desks/chairs/lights! Aviva featured here - they are closing offices and two neighbours now work exclusively from home. Prediction: neck/back pain, eyestrain will result. What do HR have to say?
I think the onus is on the homeowner.
You want to work from home; YOUR home. It is YOUR responsibility.
Can you imagine employees suing their company because they cut their hand on a chipped mug from their own home kitchen? Absurd!
You can't have it both ways.
What if you work from a pop up coffee shop style office? Is your employer liable for their H&S as well?
You want to work from home; YOUR home. It is YOUR responsibility.
Can you imagine employees suing their company because they cut their hand on a chipped mug from their own home kitchen? Absurd!
You can't have it both ways.
What if you work from a pop up coffee shop style office? Is your employer liable for their H&S as well?
We live near the Wash low-lying Fens not many feet above mean sea level and classed by many insurers as flood risk area despite comprehensive fens drainage installed from 1700s onwards. Our insurance broker UNABLE TO GET ANY COVER FOR US WHATSOEVER for home-working in a deemed flood-risk area, apart from very expensive Ageas nearly £2k pa, though we ditched broker, went direct to NFU slightly less
Call the police and be given a crime reference number?
I suppose the risk will be that sheds/garages will be the target for burglers as they hope to find computer equipment in there. However, that stuff usually belongs to the employer. So is it the employers responsibility to pay the insurance? Who supplies the alarm system etc.
Unlikely. You don't "own" the company laptop and so if it were to be damaged in a fire or stolen I'd expect it to be insured (if at all) by the employer.
Continuing on an existing home insurance policy by paying extra premium for home-working and/or home-office is NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD or IMPOSSIBLE. Many insurers simply don't cover home-working, have no alternative policies from standard home insurance. We discovered this when our broker switched us to a cheaper brand at renewal but the new insurer later cancelled upon finding hubby worked at home.
If you are morally and ethically bereft then Insurance is surely a great industry in which to operate. Every pay out means higher premiums for customers. Its an industry cartel driven by small print exclusion zones praying on the uninitiated's' lack of attention to detail. I don't recall hearing of many insurance companies going bust.
Name them, I can't think of any.
This translates to insurance companies seeking to make some more money!
Or put another way, making sure that you pay the right price for the risk you represent. Better that than having your claim declined for not telling them.
No, it's always been the case you need to let your insured know if you carry out a business from home, it's not called home insurance for nothing!
Ooh look. More anti-WFH propaganda from the British Broadcasting Conservatives.
No, they are reporting the facts. What is it that you don't like about the truth? Could it be that you are a Brexit Supporter and as there hasn't been any good news you take every opportunity to have a pop at the BBC? If you don't like the content then go to Telegraph or other right wing site to get the news that you want to read.
I've been working from home for over a year now and I've hated the last 11 months. I miss being in an office surrounded by my team mates. Work is much more productive in person and I've managed to achieve much less whilst working remotely. I can't wait to be able to properly separate work from home in the future.
If you are morally and ethically bereft then Insurance is surely a great industry in which to operate. Every pay out means higher premiums for customers. Its an industry cartel driven by small print exclusion zones praying on the uninitiated's' lack of attention to detail. I don't recall hearing of many insurance companies going bust.
The British will always find a way to defraud the insurance man. It's the national sport.
If you are morally and ethically bereft then Insurance is surely a great industry in which to operate. Every pay out means higher premiums for customers. Its an industry cartel driven by small print exclusion zones praying on the uninitiated's' lack of attention to detail. I don't recall hearing of many insurance companies going bust.
Thank you for saying I am morally and ethically bereft then. You've just shown how you know absolutely nothing about an very important industry that has for centuries allowed businesses to create opportunities for numpties like you to have a job because they are able to transfer their risks away for an annual premium. And personal lines insurance is a drop in the ocean compared to commercial.
In office, using employer's internet. At home, work is impossible without internet. What happens when home internet goes down? Will IT Support be chasing Virgin/Sky/BT for home workers? Not all staff are IT experts and ISPs notorious for not answering phone and taking time to fix. Staff must tell home insurer they work from home - every year when switching insurers whose own staff work from home..
If you are morally and ethically bereft then Insurance is surely a great industry in which to operate. Every pay out means higher premiums for customers. Its an industry cartel driven by small print exclusion zones praying on the uninitiated's' lack of attention to detail. I don't recall hearing of many insurance companies going bust.
Nobody forces you to take out Insurance on your house contents nor on your buildings if you don't have a mortgage. Save yourselves from the evils of those wicked Insurers by putting away the money you save in premiums to deal with the claims yourself. After 10 years you might have £2500 - see how far that goes if your house burns down!!
A house fire could cost you hundreds of thousands in building and contents.
Have you never watched Harry Potter?
Tell my wife that ?? !
because its a way of getting back at a lousy industry which will find anyway of wriggling out of paying claims. Ts and Cs riddled with exclusions. Of all the industries, the Insurance Sector is the one that has been least helpful during Covid. You only have to look at the Class Action being taken against them to force them to pay out for Business Interruption
Wrong weatherlobe. The insurance industry has been cracking on throughout the pandemic, working continuously. Keeping full employment (no furlough), paying all that tax to support you no doubt. You cite the business interruption class action as if that is all of insurance! It accounts for about 0.00001% of insurance. Back to school.
If you are morally and ethically bereft then Insurance is surely a great industry in which to operate. Every pay out means higher premiums for customers. Its an industry cartel driven by small print exclusion zones praying on the uninitiated's' lack of attention to detail. I don't recall hearing of many insurance companies going bust.
Here's a list for you of the insurers who HAVE gone insolvent:
https://www.fscs.org.uk/what-we-cover/insurance/insurance-insolvencies/
Many more have been taken over when they run into problems and ultra-tight regulation, the strictest in the world, prevents many many more.
So we've shown you know absolutely nothing haven't we.
Time to apologise for calling insurance "morally bereft".
https://www.fscs.org.uk/what-we-cover/insurance/insurance-insolvencies/
Many more have been taken over when they run into problems and ultra-tight regulation, the strictest in the world, prevents many many more.
So we've shown you know absolutely nothing haven't we.
Time to apologise for calling insurance "morally bereft".
Please accept my apology.
This translates to insurance companies seeking to make some more money!
We live near the Wash low-lying Fens not many feet above mean sea level and classed by many insurers as flood risk area despite comprehensive fens drainage installed from 1700s onwards. Our insurance broker UNABLE TO GET ANY COVER FOR US WHATSOEVER for home-working in a deemed flood-risk area, apart from very expensive Ageas nearly £2k pa, though we ditched broker, went direct to NFU slightly less
They'll be lots of tricks like this that Gov, insurers, et al will try to pull. I'm waiting for the first Gov to try and put Capital Gains Tax or some such other tax on the portion of the sale of your house that you advertise as or call the office.
If your company allows or asked you to work from home then ask them if they are going to cover any liabilities you may incur. Also the company are still liable for any injury to you under H&S even if you do work from home. They have to provide proper working conditions and working from your bed is not. If they want you to work from home insist on a proper desk, chair, screens, keyboard.
Spot on.
Funny you should mention this. One of our colleagues company laptop was stolen. The employer said no problem but the company insurer said no - it was the responsibility of the employee's household insurance provider to pay for a new one. At the moment, our legal team are putting together a policy which should clear up responsibilities for thefts and accidents as a result of working from home.
Nobody forces you to take out Insurance on your house contents nor on your buildings if you don't have a mortgage. Save yourselves from the evils of those wicked Insurers by putting away the money you save in premiums to deal with the claims yourself. After 10 years you might have £2500 - see how far that goes if your house burns down!!
My insurer insists I have insurance - yours will to. Be careful when you ask them for confirmation though as they could be annoyed when you say "I've got a mortgage with you but my house is not insured, are you ok with that?" Don't forget - your house is actually their house whilst you're paying off a mortgage. If it burns down due to your dodgey wfh printer - they'll want their money back.
If you choose to work offsite I imagine the employee is responsible for any equipment they are the custodian of whilst off-site.
I imagine if lots of laptops sudden start getting 'stolen' then the employer might think their equipment is safer kept at the work premises with proper security measures.
The ball is in our court; if WFH is the boon that so many claim it is, then perhaps it is worth employees making it as easy, productive & hassle-free as possible to show employers it is the way forward. Lest you get recalled.
The ball is in our court; if WFH is the boon that so many claim it is, then perhaps it is worth employees making it as easy, productive & hassle-free as possible to show employers it is the way forward. Lest you get recalled.
because its a way of getting back at a lousy industry which will find anyway of wriggling out of paying claims. Ts and Cs riddled with exclusions. Of all the industries, the Insurance Sector is the one that has been least helpful during Covid. You only have to look at the Class Action being taken against them to force them to pay out for Business Interruption
It wasn't a class action, only a few insurers were ruled against, the vast majority clearly didn't cover against the Covid19 novovirus. Their wording was not found to be open to legal interpretation. A few however were sloppy (mostly not ABI members) and were caught out, no sympathy there. One thing is for sure, all policies will now clearly exclude pandemics, they're an uninsurable risk.
Like this is new, how long have sales reps worked from home servicing engineers etc. Infact quite a few self employed work fro their vans
Well you would have an office like that in a 7.2 Million London Gaff...
Bet my Council Tax in North Manchester is almost double the London Gaffs....
* Do make sure your covered by your insurance, leave no wiggle room for them?
Bet my Council Tax in North Manchester is almost double the London Gaffs....
* Do make sure your covered by your insurance, leave no wiggle room for them?
If your company allows or asked you to work from home then ask them if they are going to cover any liabilities you may incur. Also the company are still liable for any injury to you under H&S even if you do work from home. They have to provide proper working conditions and working from your bed is not. If they want you to work from home insist on a proper desk, chair, screens, keyboard.
Exactly - also the increased costs that you will incur, lighting, heating, paper, printer consumables, paper, wifi, internet, etc etc. Will your employer provide them? (as well as those they're already providing in their offices for employees that don't/cant wfh?
Ooh look. More anti-WFH propaganda from the British Broadcasting Conservatives.
No, they are reporting the facts. What is it that you don't like about the truth? Could it be that you are a Brexit Supporter and as there hasn't been any good news you take every opportunity to have a pop at the BBC? If you don't like the content then go to Telegraph or other right wing site to get the news that you want to read.
Nope. I proudly voted Remain.
And I vote Labour.
So why are you attacking me ?
Why are you getting personal ?
Why are you so angry ?
And I vote Labour.
So why are you attacking me ?
Why are you getting personal ?
Why are you so angry ?
Insurance companies trying to wriggle out of their responsibilities. No great surprise.
Here's a list for you of the insurers who HAVE gone insolvent:
https://www.fscs.org.uk/what-we-cover/insurance/insurance-insolvencies/
Many more have been taken over when they run into problems and ultra-tight regulation, the strictest in the world, prevents many many more.
So we've shown you know absolutely nothing haven't we.
Time to apologise for calling insurance "morally bereft".
https://www.fscs.org.uk/what-we-cover/insurance/insurance-insolvencies/
Many more have been taken over when they run into problems and ultra-tight regulation, the strictest in the world, prevents many many more.
So we've shown you know absolutely nothing haven't we.
Time to apologise for calling insurance "morally bereft".
Ooh look. More anti-WFH propaganda from the British Broadcasting Conservatives.
I've been working from home for over a year now and I've hated the last 11 months. I miss being in an office surrounded by my team mates. Work is much more productive in person and I've managed to achieve much less whilst working remotely. I can't wait to be able to properly separate work from home in the future.
The health and safety 'at work' legislation requires the employer to risk assess workplaces and ensure that employees are able to work in a safe environment with the correct (electrically PAT tested) equipment. How many 'wfh'ers have had their employer round to inspect their workplaces or even had to complete a risk assessment? Working on the kitchen table using a laptop is probably not allowed!
When you claim for your back injury because you've been working at the kitchen table for 6 months & eyesight worsens from looking at a tiny screen for 6 months - then see when your insurer steps up & pays. They have to asses your work environment to see if it's safe - as your employer is liable for the consequences. It's the next claim for lawyers to will jump on now PPI insurance is behind us.
Sorry what's the point of insurance?....very few have paid out under the virus showing their true colours of the industry
Absolute nonsense. What's that based on? Just the BI class action.....that's one drop in the ocean of insurance.
You'll find out quick enough if your house burns down and you don't have any.
So don't buy insurance then. Only a couple of types are compulsory. Just take the risk yourself.....but don't go moaning if you lose everything and don't have any insurance to help.
People don't realise but insurance allows people and business to go about their daily lives/work without the risk of losing everything. Everyone's lives would be very different (and worse) without insurance.
People don't realise but insurance allows people and business to go about their daily lives/work without the risk of losing everything. Everyone's lives would be very different (and worse) without insurance.
With the roads empty and driving few mile will my car insurance go down!
Don't think so
Don't think so
Mine did.
I got a rebate from Admiral (my insurers for 4 of my cars), but 5th was with a different insurer who didn't. But sums were £50 per car which was significant.
No, but your battery will.
I re-insured my car recently. I was going to reduce the miles to 1000/yr to bring the cost down, knowing it would be more than enough. However stating 2000/year brought the cost DOWN. It turned out that one underwriter didn't have a policy that would do 1000/yr and so thier system chose another that did 2000/yr and it was cheaper. So on next renewal try 1000/2000/3000 miles and see what happens
With the roads empty and driving few mile will my car insurance go down!
Don't think so
Don't think so
Interesting picture of rich persons office. Note hardly anything on the table as the richer you are the more work you delegate to someone else. I wonder if its my boss.
My table is covered in books, screens, logbooks, phones and loads of piles of paper documents in various states of disorder.
My table is covered in books, screens, logbooks, phones and loads of piles of paper documents in various states of disorder.
You're right if you own a business and run it from your home. I'm talking about those who don't own a business but become homeworkers or advertise their house as having an office.
What I'm alluding to is that though in these new circumstances homeowners are not yet liable for CGT, if they're employed. However it won't be long before some Gov look to these arrangements and decide to tax them.
What I'm alluding to is that though in these new circumstances homeowners are not yet liable for CGT, if they're employed. However it won't be long before some Gov look to these arrangements and decide to tax them.
With the roads empty and driving few mile will my car insurance go down!
Don't think so
Don't think so
The health and safety 'at work' legislation requires the employer to risk assess workplaces and ensure that employees are able to work in a safe environment with the correct (electrically PAT tested) equipment. How many 'wfh'ers have had their employer round to inspect their workplaces or even had to complete a risk assessment? Working on the kitchen table using a laptop is probably not allowed!
So don't buy insurance then. Only a couple of types are compulsory. Just take the risk yourself.....but don't go moaning if you lose everything and don't have any insurance to help.
People don't realise but insurance allows people and business to go about their daily lives/work without the risk of losing everything. Everyone's lives would be very different (and worse) without insurance.
People don't realise but insurance allows people and business to go about their daily lives/work without the risk of losing everything. Everyone's lives would be very different (and worse) without insurance.
Totally agree, although i do feel for those poor individuals that got flooded in Bath and Shrewsbury just to name a few places - however, some had payouts from the government subsidised by guess who.... the taxpayer AND insurance companies.. I buy it so that I don't take the risk... if you don't buy it and have an issue, blame yourself not the system or the insurers !!
Interesting picture of rich persons office. Note hardly anything on the table as the richer you are the more work you delegate to someone else. I wonder if its my boss.
My table is covered in books, screens, logbooks, phones and loads of piles of paper documents in various states of disorder.
My table is covered in books, screens, logbooks, phones and loads of piles of paper documents in various states of disorder.
Mine did.
The health and safety 'at work' legislation requires the employer to risk assess workplaces and ensure that employees are able to work in a safe environment with the correct (electrically PAT tested) equipment. How many 'wfh'ers have had their employer round to inspect their workplaces or even had to complete a risk assessment? Working on the kitchen table using a laptop is probably not allowed!
When you claim for your back injury because you've been working at the kitchen table for 6 months & eyesight worsens from looking at a tiny screen for 6 months - then see when your insurer steps up & pays. They have to asses your work environment to see if it's safe - as your employer is liable for the consequences. It's the next claim for lawyers to will jump on now PPI insurance is behind us.
Nasty trip wire in that picture, and even more if you use the power sockets half way up the wall to a desk in the middle of the room.
Spot on.
Possibly offset by the money you're saving by not having to commute?
The health and safety 'at work' legislation requires the employer to risk assess workplaces and ensure that employees are able to work in a safe environment with the correct (electrically PAT tested) equipment. How many 'wfh'ers have had their employer round to inspect their workplaces or even had to complete a risk assessment? Working on the kitchen table using a laptop is probably not allowed!
Can of worms. You use an extension lead to power your laptop on dining table. Trip Hazard! Young children around, downright dangerous. Neither would be allowed in an office, even if your dog were sometimes allowed at your desk. And don't start me on data security risks while flatmate reads screen over your shoulder.
A house fire could cost you hundreds of thousands in building and contents.
My insurer insists I have insurance - yours will to. Be careful when you ask them for confirmation though as they could be annoyed when you say "I've got a mortgage with you but my house is not insured, are you ok with that?" Don't forget - your house is actually their house whilst you're paying off a mortgage. If it burns down due to your dodgey wfh printer - they'll want their money back.
It’s not the lenders house if they have a mortgage (charge) on it. The house belongs to you if you are a freeholder. They have a charge on it to protect the money they have lent you, but you are “the proprietor” according to the Land Registry not the building society.
A nice BBC article trying to scare people not to work from home. The Cat is out of the Bag now.
Hardly ... if you fail to inform your home insurance provider you may find your home insurance invalidated.
I started working from home over 6 years ago and found my original home insurance didn't cover home working. I had to shop around to find a suitable policy.
This is an informative article not a scare story to help people avoid invalidating their current insurance.
I started working from home over 6 years ago and found my original home insurance didn't cover home working. I had to shop around to find a suitable policy.
This is an informative article not a scare story to help people avoid invalidating their current insurance.
No, they are reporting the facts. What is it that you don't like about the truth? Could it be that you are a Brexit Supporter and as there hasn't been any good news you take every opportunity to have a pop at the BBC? If you don't like the content then go to Telegraph or other right wing site to get the news that you want to read.
With the roads empty and driving few mile will my car insurance go down!
Don't think so
Don't think so
Hardly ... if you fail to inform your home insurance provider you may find your home insurance invalidated.
I started working from home over 6 years ago and found my original home insurance didn't cover home working. I had to shop around to find a suitable policy.
This is an informative article not a scare story to help people avoid invalidating their current insurance.
I started working from home over 6 years ago and found my original home insurance didn't cover home working. I had to shop around to find a suitable policy.
This is an informative article not a scare story to help people avoid invalidating their current insurance.
I would love that posh home office / shed ... a real mans cave
With the roads empty and driving few mile will my car insurance go down!
Don't think so
Don't think so