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  • Subsidence surge: here’s how the heatwave harmed your home

    Subsidence surge: here’s how the heatwave harmed your home

    The abnormally hot weather and lack of rainfall this summer created a disastrous combination for homeowners, according to industry experts. Recent data revealed that subsidence claims have seen a 350 per cent increase throughout the UK within the last six weeks alone. Not to mention, the number of claims are up 20 per cent compared to this time last year.

    Subsidence, which occurs when the ground beneath a property either collapses or sinks lower, is a big problem for homeowners, as the end result can cause serious structural damage, such as cracks in walls, floors and ceilings. This issue is common among homes built on clay soil, seeing as it shrinks when there is less moisture in the ground.

    Industry experts have identified 226 postcodes that are most vulnerable to subsidence claims, primarily located in large cities due to the pressure placed on the ground from buildings and skyscrapers crammed into condensed areas. Regardless of where you live, consider this guidance to help handle and prevent subsidence in your home:

    • Know the signs—As with any property damage issue, it is important to catch the problem as early as possible. The most evident sign is a diagonal crack, next to either a door or window. These cracks are typically narrow at the bottom and wide at the top.
    • Take down trees—Because their roots absorb water from the soil, the trees in your garden can contribute to subsidence, especially if they have large, thick roots. Consider killing nearby trees by either cutting them down, removing the bark or using herbicides.
    • Fix your drains—Subsidence can result if water leaks from damaged drains and washes away soil. Be sure to routinely check your drains and fix any rising concerns.

     
    If you have suffered a subsidence claim, you can easily find yourself trapped with your existing insurer, who may well have applied extensive terms and conditions to your policy. If you’re thinking of buying a property with a history of subsidence there is a distinct possibility you won’t find cover at all.

    A-Plan can help. We have arrangements with insurers that allow us to provide insurance cover for properties that have been affected by subsidence.

    Our specialist home insurance team understands that such properties require an individually tailored approach.

  • 6 reasons to shop on your local high street

    6 reasons to shop on your local high street

    1. You boost the local economy

    Research on spending by local authorities shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business, an estimated 63p stays within the local economy, compared to 40p for a larger business.

    2. You increase the value of your home

    High streets populated with thriving independent businesses boost the prices of nearby homes. Research by American Express in 2013 found that house prices near a prosperous town centre rose by an average of £40,000 more over the previous decade than other properties. Meanwhile, a higher prevalence of charity and discount stores tended to decrease home values in the area.

    3. It is more ethical

    When you shop at a local butchers, bakers, farm shop or greengrocer, it is likely that a decent percentage of the produce has had a short field-to-fork journey. As a bonus, it means that the food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging (particularly plastic).

    4. You support local entrepreneurs

    Head to your local artisan market. These help bolster the talents of the next generation of British designers and retailers. There is a constant turnover of new products and sellers listen to customers’ demands. From food to fledgling clothing designers, there will be something for everyone.

    5. You help to build your local community

    Bookshops, cafes and craft shops often drum up custom by hosting events from reading groups to knitting clubs and children’s events. If local businesses are not supported, these fun local groups tend to disappear too.

    6. You might get a better deal or some good advice

    Local independent businesses can use their discretion to reward regular custom. Small retailers can give advice – such as a butcher giving advice on cooking times or how large a joint you might need to feed a family get-together (with some leftovers!).

    In a survey that we carried out earlier in the year, we found that 81% of high street shoppers trusted advice provided by local shops and businesses, over national chains.

    We also found that:

    • 74% prefer shopping locally to online.
    • 80% trust the advice provided by local shops/businesses over national chains.
    • 48% seek advice from staff before making a purchase.
    • 90% enjoy talking to staff in their local shops.
    • 80% believe their high streets need more independent shops.
    • 81% prefer face-to-face transactions to online.

     
    To speak to one of our local insurance experts, who can make sure you receive the proper advice about insurance, please visit your local A-Plan branch, on a high street near you!

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  • How to protect your home while you’re working abroad

    How to protect your home while you’re working abroad

    While you’re working abroad for an extended period, the last thing you want to be worrying about is whether your home is safe in your absence. Protecting your home is about more than just locking all the doors and windows and leaving a key with a neighbour so that they can pop in from time to time. Here are some top home security tips to give you some peace of mind while you’re away.

    Time switches

    Time switches automatically turn on lamps for you so that it looks as though your home is occupied. A house that’s always dark is a dead giveaway to intruders that there’s nobody home, so setting up time switches to reflect your usual movements at home is a great first step. Set them to come on downstairs as it gets dark, and then upstairs later in the evening, mimicking you going up to bed. You could also put your television or radio on a time switch so that there’s some noise coming from your house at the times there would be when you’re home.

    Smart home

    The downside to timeswitches is that most turn the lights on at the same precise times you’ve programmed each day. This means that a potential intruder could watch your home and work out from the regularity that there’s nobody home. Luckily, smart home technology means you can now control your lights from your smartphone via hubs such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple HomeKit and Hive. This means you can manage your home lighting remotely while you’re away, switching the lights on at different times of day.

    Cameras

    While full-blown CCTV might be on the pricey side for a private property, you can achieve much the same result by setting up internet-connected webcams around your property. This allows you to log in remotely at any time so that you can keep an eye on your home, wherever you are, and some have recording facilities too. Making sure they’re set up somewhere visible should also act as a deterrent.

    Post

    A build-up of post by your front door is another telltale sign that there’s nobody at home. Unless you’re likely to receive anything important in the post that you want a neighbour to keep an eye out for, the Royal Mail’s Keepsafe service is worth setting up. This pauses your post being delivered, keeping it safe until you return. Don’t forget to cancel other regular deliveries, such as newspapers and milk.

    Turn off unnecessary appliances

    Intruders aren’t the only risk to your property when you’re leaving it unoccupied; gas leaks and electrical fires are also potential hazards. Be sure to switch off unnecessary appliances rather than leaving them on standby, such as your gas cooker and hob, desktop computer and so on. You’ll save money on your utility bills, too.

    Tell your insurer

    Finally, home insurance policies cover you for being away from your home for holidays, but not if you’re leaving your house unoccupied for a substantial amount of time – usually 30 consecutive days or more. If you’re going to be away for 30 days or more, let your insurer know so that they can adjust your policy accordingly. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like a quote for unoccupied property insurance.

  • The UK’s most expensive houses

    The UK’s most expensive houses

    We’ve probably all daydreamed about the kind of house we’d buy if we won the Lottery, but for a lucky few, owning a lavishly expensive house is a reality. Today we’re fuelling your wildest dreams by ogling over some of the priciest properties on the market in the UK today. Which would you choose?

    1. One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge

    Situated in London’s Knightsbridge and designed by architect Richard Rogers, One Hyde Park is the world’s most expensive residential building. With an average price tag of £6,000 per square foot, and one apartment going up for sale for a record £75 million, apartments in this building are for those for whom money is no object. As these photos show, living in an opulent apartment in this exclusive development means enjoying views of Hyde Park, living next door to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and round the corner from Harrods, and enjoying perks such as a golf simulator, spa and entertainment room.

    2. Bishopsgate House, Surrey

    Currently on the market for £50 million, Bishopsgate House in Egham, Surrey is a 34-acre estate right next door to Windsor Great Park. With the Royal Family as neighbours, ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ is more of a challenge than usual, but this stunning 13-bedroom house features an indoor pool and tennis court, stables, separate accommodation for staff, a helipad and much more. Just imagine the house parties you could have if this was your home…

    3. Mansion House, Westminster

    Fancy being able to see Big Ben, the House of Lords and Westminster Abbey from your private roof terrace? If you have a spare £36 million lying around, you could. The palatial Mansion House in Westminster is currently up for grabs and it’s the ultimate London pad, with seven bedrooms, a walk-in wine room, a 10-metre swimming pool and even health and spa facilities. And, for those evenings when you’ve been out on the town and the stairs seem too much effort, there’s even an eight-person lift.

    4. Eaton Place, Belgravia

    It will set you back a hefty £38 million, but this terraced, Grade II* listed townhouse in London’s flashy Belgravia is a classy address with five en suite bedrooms, a private double garage and even another mews house out the back. Built in 1825, it’s been updated with everything you could possibly want from a home, including a gym, treatment room, wine store and lift.

    5. Barons Court, Hampstead

    When the property advert says “price on application” and it’s in a location known as “Billionaire’s Row”, you know it’s going to be beyond the budget of all but the super-rich. And, looking at the particulars for Barons Court, currently on the market in fashionable Hampstead, you can see why. Sporting “extensive” gardens, fabulous London views and a large carriage driveway with room for multiple cars, this seven-bedroom mansion near Hampstead Heath occupies 2.55 acres in one of London’s most sought-after residential areas. As if that weren’t enough, it’s described as having “development potential to create one of London’s finest homes” – though it’s difficult to imagine what could be finer than any of the homes on this list.

    For independent and professional advice about insuring your high-value property, our team of experts can help.

  • What can you learn from KFC?

    What can you learn from KFC?

    In February, nearly two-thirds of KFCs across the United Kingdom were closed or offered a limited menu after its new distributor failed to deliver enough chicken on time. With no backup plan for how to get more chicken, customers took to social media to vent their frustrations at the fast-food restaurant chain. While KFC tried to handle the response to the supply chain problem with grace and good humour, customers haven’t been quick to forgive and forget. And, even now, the disruption and limited menus remain an issue.

    KFC don’t just have their customers to contend with. The costs of a disruption like this can be seriously damaging. The company made a decision to continue to pay their staff according to their salary rate or their average working hours, depending on contract types. Whilst staff were advised to take annual leave during the most serious period of disruption, they were not forced to.

    KFC also have the loss of sales revenue to factor in. Whilst the cost implications of this disruption are yet to be confirmed, it’s suggested the giant could have lost up to £1 million per day.

    Considering 80% of KFC restaurants are franchised, they must also ensure these relationships are protected and those franchises are responding positively and consistently to the disruption.

    Unfortunately, supply chain disruptions like this are not uncommon. In fact, 65 per cent of UK businesses experienced at least one supply chain disruption last year, according to the Business Continuity Institute. These disruptions can be especially damaging, as 55 per cent of them lead to a loss of productivity.

    Some of the potential losses may be mitigated through the appropriate cover, but 51 per cent of businesses don’t insure their supply chains at all.
    To reduce your supply chain risks, consider adopting the following:
    • Conduct regular audits and inspections of your suppliers to ensure that they are taking the necessary precautions to avoid business interruptions.
    • Invest in monitoring technology to receive up-to-date information about the status and health of your supply chains.
    • Organise a contingency plan in case there’s an issue with your supplier.
    • Contact A-Plan to discuss what appropriate covers can protect your business.

  • Classic Car Insurance: FAQs

    Classic Car Insurance: FAQs

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  • Show your Car Some Love this Valentine’s.

    Show your Car Some Love this Valentine’s.

    7 ways to reignite that spark:

    Our cars are often the unloved, unappreciated heroes in our lives. They’re dependable, sturdy and selfless; dutifully ferrying us in safety, comfort and warmth to whichever destination we desire. Yet, it’s the one relationship in our lives which requires a little more love, after all, it slays distances without complaint (usually), never talks back nor bores us with meaningless chatter about its day. So, for Valentine’s Day 2018, skip the pink fluff and show your car just how much you love it.

    Step 1: Read the manual.

    Have you ever read, entirely, your vehicle owner’s manual, or just frantically flipped through it searching for an explanation for that flashing yellow warning light? Whilst not the most gripping read, taking the time to get to know your vehicle can’t be underestimated. Owner manuals are fascinating! Full of little details about your car you probably never knew existed.  And how can you truly love what you can’t understand. (If only your human partner also had a manual.)

    Step 2: Fix the small stuff.

    Wipers looking a little worn? Headlamps gone cloudy? You’d be amazed at how fixing the little dents and signs of wear and tear will improve the visual appearance of your car and keep your passion alive.

    Step 3: Pay attention.

    Your car will tell you when it’s poorly. Don’t ignore warning lights on your dashboard (you’ll know what they mean once you’ve fully digested the manual), and observe any unusual sights, sounds or smells. Make a note of anything peculiar and share with your mechanic.

    Maintenance is key to a healthy relationship; what you don’t nurture dies. Ensure all the things you appreciated about your car, like working air con, sharp brakes, and tyres that handle the road well, are still operating at their perky best. Treat your car to regular maintenance and it’ll surely go the distance.

    Step 4: Sparkle & shine.

    If your glove box is rammed with fast food napkins, dried out hand wipes and ageing sachets of ketchup, it’s time for a declutter. If you’re not keeping your gloves in there, use the sacred space for your manual, pertinent vehicle information and service receipts/warranties.

    Secondly, don’t you feel your car somehow runs better when it’s had a proper vacuum, wash and polish? And if you car could speak, it would surely tell you to remove that highly corrosive bird poop from its gorgeous metallic paintwork. There’s nothing like a good clean to show your car you care.

    Step 5: Accept love costs.

    To fully cherish your car, you can’t avoid spending money on it. Many cars have maintenance schedules programmed into their on-board computer, but all should have dates and details within the manual. Ignore these at your peril, as negligence could mean the end of the road.

    Step 6: Lighten your touch.

    Sometimes all your loved one needs is a hug. If you can’t wrap your arms around your car, try the next best thing — lose the heavy foot. Go easy on the brakes, lighten your foot on the pedals, and consider learning a few more safety driving tips. Your car will love you for it.

    Step 7: Protect your love.

    Once that spark has been reignited, don’t let theft or an accident tear you apart. Speak to your local insurance expert at A-Plan to ensure your vehicle is sufficiently protected.

    Share the love with your car this year and have a very happy Valentine’s Day!

  • How to Prevent Roof Collapse Caused by Heavy Snow.

    How to Prevent Roof Collapse Caused by Heavy Snow.

    Nothing says festive like a tablecloth of snow draped over roofs and tree-tops. Yet, despite its magical and fluffy appearance, snow, in particular its weight, poses a serious hazard to our homes, cars and businesses. But how many of us seriously consider the possibility of roof collapse when we awake to several feet of snow on our lawn?

    How much snow your roof can withstand will depend on many factors, such as age and composition. The roofs of barns, sheds, out-buildings and conservatories may not be as strong as your main building, and caution is needed when inspecting any possible bowing.

    The shape of your roof is a critical factor in determining the effects of snow load on your property. A steep roof pitch affects weight distribution and snow will usually fall back onto the ground of its own accord. Of course, a flat roof will hold snow without displacement or disbursement which poses a greater risk of roof collapse.

    Wind direction can also affect the weight of snow on your roof: snow drifts which can leave certain areas of your roof bearing more snow than others, a particular problem if you’ve experienced a few days of snowfall. Conditions can be further exacerbated when rain follows heavy snow, as a snow laden roof will absorb rain like a dry sponge, contributing further to the pressure and weight.

    If you do wake to an unexpected delivery of snow one morning, which exceeds a foot, try to remove as much snow as safely as possible, but do not climb on your roof! Try and access as much of the snow as possible with a rake, broom or specialist snow rake. If you’re unable to safely reach the roof, just clearing the overhangs will help reduce excess weight. And don’t worry if you’re unable to clear all the snow from your roof; any reduction is going to make a difference to the overall load.

    Often, before a roof collapses due to the excessive weight of snow and ice, your property will exhibit some of the following signs:

      • Visual deformation of the roof.
      • Cracked or split wooden structural elements of the roof framework.
      • Doors and windows that suddenly become difficult to open or close.
      • Creaking or crackling noises.
      • Separation of ceiling joists and beams.
      • Signs of new movement in flashing around chimneys, door trims, ceilings and staircases.

       

    Whilst preemptive measures should be taken to prevent structural damage to your property following a snow dump, such as cleaning debris away from gulleys, gutters and drains, and replacing broken roof tiles, flashing and cladding, the following steps should be taken after periods of heavy snowfall, to reduce the likelihood of roof collapse:

    • Try to keep roofs, gutters, downspouts and drains clear of ice so water can freely drain away.
    • When clearing snow from your driveway or footpath, do not deposit against the foot of any downspouts as this may interfere with effective drainage.
    • Safely, chip and channel any ice dams to ensure water can flow freely.
    • Be watchful for signs of stress and deflection of the roof and wall structure such as cracking, splitting or twisting, particularly in trusses, joists and beams.
    • Roof failures can occur at the exterior wall connections particularly in buildings with flat roofs, so it is vital to  check the connections for signs of cracking or twisting.
    • Be alert to any unusual sounds emanating from the building such as creaking from the room.
    • Specialist advice should be sought if considering the removal of snow from roofs.
    • Keep the attic well ventilated to reduce the build-up of snow and formation of ice dams.

     
    Whilst in the UK, heavy, prolonged snow is extremely rate, the potential exists with climate change to experience such conditions more frequently. By following the tips above, hopefully you will avoid or mitigate any future damage to your property.

    *Extracts of this blog by permission of Aviva.

     

  • HMO insurance – what you need to consider

    HMO insurance – what you need to consider

    As a landlord, if you let your property to several tenants who aren’t members of the same family, it may be a ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ (HMO). Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are a special type of rental property in which the facilities are shared by separate households 

    Your property is an HMO if both of the following apply:

    • at least 3 tenants live there, forming more than one household
    • toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities are shared

    A household consists of either a single person or members of the same family who live together. It includes people who are married or living together and people in same-sex relationships.

    Under the Housing Act 2004 HMO status comes with its own unique set of legal responsibilities for the landlord and/or property manager, which may include requiring a licence.

    Licences

    An HMO must have a licence if it is both:

    • 3 or more storeys high
    • occupied by 5 or more people

    A council can also include other types of HMOs for licensing.

    Find out if you need an HMO licence from your council.

    Risk assessment

    The council has to carry out a Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) risk assessment on your HMO within 5 years of receiving a licence application. If the inspector finds any unacceptable risks during the assessment, you must carry out work to eliminate them.

    Reporting changes

    You must tell the council if:

    • you plan to make changes to an HMO
    • your tenants make changes
    • your tenants’ circumstances change (for example they have a child)

    Implications for insurance

    HMO insurance falls into a specialist category in the sense that, although it protects the owner’s buildings and contents just as any standard building and contents insurance or landlord insurance for self-contained rental accommodation does, it takes into the account increased risks associated with housing several different occupants within a single property.

    By definition, it is a property in multiple occupation, with facilities that are shared by several households, meaning lots of footfall.

    These special circumstances result in an insurer’s belief that HMOs represent increased risks when it comes to providing the necessary cover for landlords – especially in common areas and in the use of shared facilities, for example, where there may be a greater risk of damage to the property and its contents, whether that damage is caused maliciously or otherwise.

    Due to the perceived increase in risk, some insurers choose not to quote HMO properties and those that do often charge a higher premium they would with a normal occupancy.

    If you are thinking about buying an HMO or converting your existing buy to let property into an HMO, it is important to remember that you need specialist HMO insurance that recognises the particular risks involved, yet provides you the cover you need at a competitive price.

    For more information about this kind of insurance, please speak to one of our commercial insurance teams who will be able to advise you.

    Sources: www.gov.uk; UKInsuranceNet

    Article kindly provided by Tobias Marshall, Commercial Account Executive, A-Plan Bristol

  • Managing employee holidays in your business

    Managing employee holidays in your business

    Managing employee holidays can be complicated for any business over the summer period, particularly when everyone wants to take time off with the family. Balancing adequate employee coverage so that you aren’t left short-staffed, with the need for your staff to have a break can be tricky. Here’s some advice to help you keep control of employee holidays, which we’ve put together with the kind help of Npower Business:

    • Ensure your employees know how much annual leave they are entitled to. Part-time employees need to have their entitlement pro-rata
    • If bank holidays become a problem, offering extra pay, or a day off in lieu for these dates can encourage your staff to work on them
    • Make your employees aware that they need to book time off in advance. Let them know how much notice period they need to give to book a holiday
    • Limit how many people can take time off at once, especially around the school holidays and Christmas. Make this policy clear so your employees are not left disappointed
    • Put a process in place for when your staff want holiday approved
    • Put up a calendar or timetable of when team members are away so that everyone can see it

     
    Holiday Pay

    Companies should also remember that since the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) ruling at the end of last year, they need to factor in overtime when calculating holiday pay for their staff. UK workers who are full time are currently entitled to a minimum of 28 days paid holiday per year, based on their normal working hours. Those workers who regularly do overtime are often paid much less when they are on holiday because their overtime or commission is not considered part of their normal pay.

    In the cases looked at by the EAT, workers argued that although they consistently worked overtime, it was not included when calculating their holiday pay and, as a result, they received considerably less pay while on holiday compared to when they were working. The employees won their cases and the EAT rejected the companies’ appeals, and said that, for now, overtime should be considered part of an employee’s normal pay. Although the ruling has been put in question by Brexit, as it was based on EU-law, it would be prudent for employers to not make any assumptions about this being overturned.

    There were heavy criticisms by business leaders who claimed that it would increase payroll costs and generate a ‘Pandora’s Box’ situation in which employees pursue large claims for underpaid holidays years in the past, potentially putting small businesses at risk of bankruptcy. In response to this, the EAT ruled that employees cannot claim anything more than three months after their last underpaid holiday.

    Going forward, employees who regularly work overtime, especially those in the manufacturing and construction industries, can anticipate potentially higher holiday pay in the future. But employers may in turn claw this back by trimming overtime hours to limit holiday pay.