Topic ID 3308
Anyone know of a good commercial insurance broker locally? Thanks
Reply ID 47491
What size of business? (approx tunover)
Reply ID 47492
I am currently looking at a couple of different business models, so if you have a recommendation for either a low or high turnover business that would be great. Thanks Paul.
Reply ID 47495
Two options in Hertford, both of which employ a number of high quality individuals that I know personally. 1. Continuum. Located in Fore Street, towards the tyre fitters. They used to be Martin Hale and the business has been around for 40 years. The managers/owners have been there for years and they deal with small to medium size business. They are an independent broker and probably struggle to survive without the clout of the bigger boys but that means that service is key. They will be able to give you top advice and have access to most major markets. 2. Willis, in Adams House, on the corner where Barclays is in Market Street. The original business that used to be here was W. Adams, Martin Hale's rival. Forty years later and it is owned by global broker Willis. Whilst they will still be able to handle smaller business requirements, expect it to be handled via a scheme, probably through their Ipswich office. This does not mean it is not the right cover, just a bit impersonal on the service front. It could be cheaper too, because the bigger company can get cheaper rates by using their clout. Willis has more buying power and can draw on a lot of expertise from other areas of the group. If you are looking big, then Willis is probably your better option, since they will target the bigger (income) clients - ones who will earn them over £5k - and give them a bespoke service. (If you are going really big, down the A10 in Turnford, there is Aon, who are even bigger.) There is another option which mixes the two (independent broker and Willis). I have no experience of them but Daines Kapp is an independent broker in Ware which is part of the "Willis Commercial Network". This means it can access the resources Willis has when needed but still retain its independent status. They are very small and the Willis network must involve additional charges. However, they seem to be growing and doing well. If you go onto the Willis website, it might put you off, since it concentrates on global insurance. In fact, you will struggle to find mention of an office in Hertford. The Continuum website is a bit old fashioned/low tech but gives you basic information. The Daines Kapp site is best of the three in my opinion, telling you what it does and how the company works. Hope this helps.
Reply ID 47496
Thanks Paul, makes perfect sense. I come from the large, global insurance background (just got out!) and have had large and varied experience with Willis, AON and people like Marsh. Wanted to see what was available locally as a traditional broker as haven't had any commercial product experience of note. Thanks
Reply ID 47505
quote:Wish I could.[:(]
Originally posted by nuts
(just got out!)
Reply ID 47522
We use NFU - cheapest we could find with a huge range of policies on offer. They have an office in Ware, Church Street I think Contact them on 01920 469173
Reply ID 47523
quote:I'm guessing your business is in some way connected with farming, animals, food or beverages, since NFU is restricted to those sorts of trades, being the mutual insurance company of the National Farmers Union. Not a bad option if they will take you on but not a broker, so no choices for alternative quotes come renewal. They do look after their members though.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
We use NFU - cheapest we could find with a huge range of policies on offer. They have an office in Ware, Church Street I think Contact them on 01920 469173
Reply ID 47525
quote:Nope - we are in the retail business - the policies are not restrictive and the people at the ware office are actually brokers, so give them a try - it's not just for Farmers you know [:D]
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:I'm guessing your business is in some way connected with farming, animals, food or beverages, since NFU is restricted to those sorts of trades, being the mutual insurance company of the National Farmers Union. Not a bad option if they will take you on but not a broker, so no choices for alternative quotes come renewal. They do look after their members though.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
We use NFU - cheapest we could find with a huge range of policies on offer. They have an office in Ware, Church Street I think Contact them on 01920 469173
Reply ID 47533
quote:Wish I could too! I didn't realise Willis had a small office in Hertford - they are defo. taking over the world, Joe Plumeri has his fingers in pies all over the world by the looks of things. I knew AON had an office in Broxbourne - might have to see if I can get a job locally then! Would save the commute.
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:Wish I could.[:(]
Originally posted by nuts
(just got out!)
Reply ID 47534
quote:I've sent you an email
Originally posted by Bubbaosheaquote:Wish I could too! I didn't realise Willis had a small office in Hertford - they are defo. taking over the world, Joe Plumeri has his fingers in pies all over the world by the looks of things. I knew AON had an office in Broxbourne - might have to see if I can get a job locally then! Would save the commute.
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:Wish I could.[:(]
Originally posted by nuts
(just got out!)
Reply ID 47537
quote:Just when you think you know everything, you find out you don't.[:0] At least tell me they still give you the mutual bonus when you renew. And that Paul Heydon still works there.
Originally posted by Kitty Katquote:Nope - we are in the retail business - the policies are not restrictive and the people at the ware office are actually brokers, so give them a try - it's not just for Farmers you know [:D]
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:I'm guessing your business is in some way connected with farming, animals, food or beverages, since NFU is restricted to those sorts of trades, being the mutual insurance company of the National Farmers Union. Not a bad option if they will take you on but not a broker, so no choices for alternative quotes come renewal. They do look after their members though.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
We use NFU - cheapest we could find with a huge range of policies on offer. They have an office in Ware, Church Street I think Contact them on 01920 469173
Reply ID 47539
Working in the industry for a major insurance company I would go for AON in Turnford.
Reply ID 47544
quote:Only really worth it if their income is likely to be around £10k plus. Otherwise they will not deal with it out of Turnford. I'm not sure where their smaller clients are dealt with now. Possibly an admin centre in Southampton.
Originally posted by Wrapper
Working in the industry for a major insurance company I would go for AON in Turnford.
Reply ID 47607
quote:I assime you mean premium income
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:Only really worth it if their income is likely to be around £10k plus. Otherwise they will not deal with it out of Turnford. I'm not sure where their smaller clients are dealt with now. Possibly an admin centre in Southampton.
Originally posted by Wrapper
Working in the industry for a major insurance company I would go for AON in Turnford.
Reply ID 47608
I didn't realise there were so many poor souls working in insurance on here!!
Reply ID 47616
There are loads of us in insurance by the looks of things. Paul2929 - Just got your mail, hardly ever check hotmail nowadays. I take it both Willis/AON locally are solely UK based and do not deal overseas. I'm a US Reinsurance broker so cannot really advise in any way as to where to look for commercial quotes locally. I could advise on large property catastrophe accounts mind.. I work for a small niche reinsurance company in the city that might actually handle UK commercial business but it would probably be put under a binding authority. I could try and speak to a few people for you, not sure what commissions they would charge etc etc.
Reply ID 47627
quote:Nope - fee or commission.
Originally posted by Wrapperquote:I assime you mean premium income
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:Only really worth it if their income is likely to be around £10k plus. Otherwise they will not deal with it out of Turnford. I'm not sure where their smaller clients are dealt with now. Possibly an admin centre in Southampton.
Originally posted by Wrapper
Working in the industry for a major insurance company I would go for AON in Turnford.
Reply ID 47628
quote:I know one of them (US reinsurance broker) in Aon. I would think all your little niche stuff is done in the city, where you can earn some decent money by not telling the rest of the industry, let alone the public, what the hell your doing. If you think you can handle talking to people in the real world, there's jobs available in the provinces. But not in reinsurance.[;)]
Originally posted by Bubbaoshea
There are loads of us in insurance by the looks of things. Paul2929 - Just got your mail, hardly ever check hotmail nowadays. I take it both Willis/AON locally are solely UK based and do not deal overseas. I'm a US Reinsurance broker so cannot really advise in any way as to where to look for commercial quotes locally. I could advise on large property catastrophe accounts mind.. I work for a small niche reinsurance company in the city that might actually handle UK commercial business but it would probably be put under a binding authority. I could try and speak to a few people for you, not sure what commissions they would charge etc etc.
Reply ID 47631
quote:Yes and yes [:)]
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:Just when you think you know everything, you find out you don't.[:0] At least tell me they still give you the mutual bonus when you renew. And that Paul Heydon still works there.
Originally posted by Kitty Katquote:Nope - we are in the retail business - the policies are not restrictive and the people at the ware office are actually brokers, so give them a try - it's not just for Farmers you know [:D]
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:I'm guessing your business is in some way connected with farming, animals, food or beverages, since NFU is restricted to those sorts of trades, being the mutual insurance company of the National Farmers Union. Not a bad option if they will take you on but not a broker, so no choices for alternative quotes come renewal. They do look after their members though.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
We use NFU - cheapest we could find with a huge range of policies on offer. They have an office in Ware, Church Street I think Contact them on 01920 469173