This month we’re taking a closer look at SME insurance. Arranging this type of business insurance can sometimes prove tricky without the help of an experienced broker. Here, we outline the benefits of SME cover, what you should look for in an insurance broker, common pitfalls and how the middleman can really make all the difference.
There are two ways to arrange SME insurance – with an insurance broker or without an insurance broker. Take the first option and you’ll have access to speedy, competitive quotes and get the right SME insurance for your business. Choose to avoid the middleman and go straight to the insurer and you could lose out on comparative quotations and the knowledge of an experienced insurance broker.
SME insurance is a specialist market for the experts at Hine Chartered Insurance Brokers. We’re now seeing more and more people cut out the insurance broker ‘middleman’ only to discover significant gaps in cover later down the line.
An efficient quoting service is an essential part of SME insurance, regardless of whether you’re looking for office insurance, shop insurance or professional indemnity insurance. It doesn’t matter what kind of SME cover you need, you’ll save time and money by going through a Chartered insurance broker such as Hine.
With our team behind you, you’ll benefit from easy to understand products, the option to upgrade standard cover, and fast and accurate documentation. We can provide SME insurance quotes instantly and you’ll also receive round-the-clock insurer helpline support.
Another advantage of embracing the middleman is competitive pricing. Because insurance brokers have access to the entire SME insurance market, cross-market comparison is available, which means you get the best possible premium price. Dealing with the insurer directly doesn’t allow for such comparative quotations. Unlike brokers, insurers only have knowledge of their own SME insurance products and so cannot recommend policies in the way a broker can.
When choosing an SME insurance broker there are a few important things to remember. First, make sure the broker is authorised and regulated by the FSA. Secondly, look for Chartered brokers in particular. Chartered status means that you’re working with one of the UK’s leading insurance brokers – providing support, service and advice of the highest possible calibre.
A Chartered insurance broker like Hine can advise on SME insurance and most other types of business insurance. Remember brokers don’t work for insurers, but for you the client, so if there is ever a dispute between you and the insurer, your broker will protect your rights as far as they can.
Some insurers claim to offer cheap SME insurance when in reality they are not always the cheapest; everything from liability insurance, landlord insurance and commercial vehicle insurance can be purchased through an insurer but if you pay next to nothing, you should expect the same level of cover.
Manchester’s Hine Chartered Insurance Brokers provides each client with their own business insurance agent who they can trust; someone who understands their business and the risks it faces. Arrange SME business insurance with us and you will benefit from the exceptional service expected of a Chartered insurance broker.
For more information on commercial insurance, including SME insurance, contact Hine Chartered Insurance Brokers on 0161 438 0000 or email info@hine.co.uk.
