[ Focus: Insurance ]
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Richard Forrest-Smith explains why the ECA’s insurance services business, ECIS, has launched two online insurance products for ECA members and ELECSA approved contractors to take the hassle out of insurance
et’s face it, electrical contractors are busy people. We know from our daily dialogue with contractors that everyone from sole traders to larger companies need the most convenient service when it comes to
buying insurance. This is why the Electrical Contractors Insurance Services
(ECIS) has worked with the ECA (its ultimate parent company) to make two essential insurance products available to quote and buy online for ECA members and ELECSA approved contractors. Two products, Tradesman’s Insurance and Van Insurance,
are available directly through the ECA website at
www.eca.
co.uk and the ELECSA website at
www.elecsa.co.uk
Solution Companies increasingly purchase their insurance over the internet, frequently outside of offi ce hours or late into the evening, at a time when insurance purchasing does not interfere with a contractor’s work. Insurance can be bought without any human intervention – at least, at the beginning. Provided that the purchaser can meet certain criteria and input information about their company and required coverage, the insurance policy can begin straight away. However, ECIS wants to ensure that the personal touch
is not lost, as this has always been an important part of the company’s high service standards. The products are therefore also supported by a telephone service available to the membership. The ECA and ELECSA were keen to offer the best possible
access, maximum convenience and expert insurance coverage in order to respond to the needs of members. The online purchasing experience is available 24 hours a
day and is truly seamless, with follow-up calls and optional extras provided, if necessary. ECA members and ELECSA approved contractors can also use the online insurance facility to register their interest and purchase or investigate the policies over the telephone, if they feel their particular needs require additional attention.
Benefi ts Online access will be particularly beneficial for small business, micro businesses or sole traders, as many such professionals might have found diffi culty gaining access to the most suitable cover from expert insurers in the past.
November 2011 ECA Today 67
The ECA and ELECSA were keen to offer the best possible access, maximum convenience and expert insurance coverage
The Tradesman’s Insurance is available for companies with
a turnover of up to £0.5m and with up to seven manual employees.
Additional benefi ts to the cover include: ■ Broad and competitive cover, including core public liability;
■ A limit of indemnity, starting at £2m and scalable up to £5m;
■ Optional employers liability, with up to three clerical staff covered at no additional cost;
■ Optional cover for tools, contract works and personal accident; and
■ More complex requirements, such as professional indemnity, can be added on a bespoke basis. The same product can be bought directly from ECIS by
phone, and payment can be made by debit card, credit card or monthly instalments. The tradesman’s insurance product is made available by
ECIS and underwritten by the ECA’s own specialist insurance company, ECIC. If a member uses an insurance broker, they should ask their broker to contact ECIC direct to obtain a quotation.
Van plan The Van Insurance product ensures that ECA members and ELECSA approved contractors have access to the right cover for their commercial vehicle(s), at the right price and in a very easy way. Additional benefi ts to the cover include: ■ Free motor legal expenses; ■ Optional protected no claims discount; and ■ Comprehensive coverage, including loss of keys and a courtesy vehicle in the event of a claim.
About the author
Richard Forrest-Smith
Richard Forrest-Smith is a director of Electrical Contractors Insurance Services Limited.
While ECIC is a market leader in insurance for electrical contractors, the company is not a specialist in motor insurance. Instead the motor product is underwritten by a select panel of insurers. ■ The products are available on the ECA and ELECSA websites at
www.eca.co.uk and
www.elecsa.co.uk or by calling 0845 634 5432 or emailing
ecins@eca.co.uk
SHUTTERSTOCK/ROB WILSON
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