UK Workshop and public liability insurance UK

[SteveW]

I have reached the point that I will very soon be needing some workshop and public liability insurance. To cover not only the workshop during normal use, but when it is being visited by customers and also to cover me when attending shows and craft fairs etc.

Who do you use, and who should I avoid please?

[tzonoqua]

I use Eastlake and Beachell, specialists to farriers/blacksmiths. Would be interested also in hearing from anyone about any other insurance firms that cater to the trade.

[John B]

Go and see an insurance broker and see what/who they advise,

Otherwise these people specialise in Farrier / Blacksmith insurance http://www.eastlakebeachell.co.uk/farry.htm

They are not a personal recommendation, I have used them in the past, but do not use them now. They do claim to be competitive, but seemed to be more farrier oriented, and seeing as how I do not need insurance cover for shoeing multi million pound valued horses, I sought other sources for suitable cover for my situation.

[youngdylan]

What Tzonoqua said

[SteveW]

I have just has the first quote back, this one from Eastlake & Beachell…..

I’m hoping to feel better soon….

[John B]

I have just has the first quote back, this one from Eastlake & Beachell…..

I’m hoping to feel better soon….

Go and see an insurance broker and see what/who they advise,

or use your membership benefits and see the Blacksmiths Guild's useful addresses list.

pm on its way Edited August 20, 2010 by John B

[SteveW]

Quick update, I have had 4 quotes back so far, and Eastlake and Beachell were the best by over £100.00. Full £2.000.000 PL for under £300.00 per year.
The first quote was amended after we went into some more depth.

[Astro_Al]

Hi, I'm in the same situation.

What changed the quote? Was it the presence / lack of oxy-fuel kit? That normally doubles the quote in my experience (limited).

What exactly does that cover? Is your shop insured against theft too? Did they want to come and inspect it?

I had a guy from NFU come over to quote, but they want to insure your everything - car, house, workshop, life & underpant elastic or nothing at all. So that was a no-go.

Cheers, Al.

[SteveW]

Sorry Al I've only just seen this, I'll Pm you with the fine print on Friday.

[Dragons lair]

Hi, I'm in the same situation.

What changed the quote? Was it the presence / lack of oxy-fuel kit? That normally doubles the quote in my experience (limited).

What exactly does that cover? Is your shop insured against theft too? Did they want to come and inspect it?

I had a guy from NFU come over to quote, but they want to insure your everything - car, house, workshop, life & underpant elastic or nothing at all. So that was a no-go.

Cheers, Al.

Al, kudos to ya mate. Ya just don't fool with the elastics. Whats next telling ya what to wear. Oh those are no good for smithing.lol
Ken.

[SteveW]

Hello

First let me just apologise for what is rather obviously a bit of a cut and paste job, I have had a number of people asking similar questions and so have decided to save myself some typing by answering them all together.

I have only recently set up my own workshop and so I’m in the process of finding some suitable Public liability insurance and ideally some workshop insurance too.

I have had a number of quotes from various sources that have ranged wildly in price and scope.

I need PL insurance to cover the public at the Forge, in the event that they may visit to collect or discuss something. To cover the installation of work on site and to cover the public if I attend shows either as a demonstrator or a trader.

I need workshop insurance to cover damage or theft of materials machines and stock.

Ok the first few quotes I had were in excess of £450.00 for £2.000.000 PL and workshop insurance of about £6.000 in stock and machines. Once I had a quick look at the paperwork it was soon clear that my workshop would never pass the rules and regs for cover as is, and would need serious security upgrading to even come close. It is a former Cattle shed and Pigsty so has none of the required locking windows and security doors that were needed.

Rather than heat, (Oxy / Propane etc, the factor that came up repeatedly was the maximum working height. No one asked about storage of bottles only the percentage of heat work on site, welding etc 10% seems normal.

After a chat we decided that PL only would be the way to go for now and that comes in so far at just under £300.00 a year with Eastlake and Beachell , for £2.000.000 cover, the minimum recommended.

I have only just started thinking about putting on demonstrations at shows so have no experience knowing if this level of cover will satisfy the event organisers, some people have suggested that £5.000.000 is a more realistic figure.

I am still looking at the moment so if anyone has any Ideas I would be very happy to hear them.

My advice would be ask for and read the policy before agreeing to anything and make sure the cover suites you and your needs rather that just your budget.

[devon blacksmith]

Hi Steve
Glad to here you are on the way. I always use eastlake they have always been very good,and when you expand they do employers liability.
Good luck

[basher]

I have just changed from eastlake and beachel to ian wallace .
my yearly has gon down from £600 to 700 down to £99.............
I teach classes and was having to pay individually for them . the ian wallace scheme is for craft workers and does not cover instillation .
I have not done instilation in a while. I figure if I get an instillation job . I'll just double insure with eastlake and again (which apparently is fine) beachell

[Whittler Kev]

Have you a contact number for Ian Wallace please? Does it cover you for doing craft shows as well?

[JustAnotherViking]

Quite and old topic, but rather than starting up a new one, I thought i'd just ask here.

 

Does anyone in the UK operate their workshop (hobby, part-time, or full time) on your residential property?
If so, have you had any issues with your home insurance, or found an understanding broker/insurance company who offers suitable cover?

I have been reading through my current policy documents, and while it doesn't explicitly exclude any activities; after speaking with them, if I wanted to operate a part time business in the future, I would have to go elsewhere due to the 'increased risk of fire' (yet cookers, bbqs, patio heaters, open fires, etc are fine).

[Charles R. Stevens]

As cottage industry has a long history in the UK you should be able to find an insure to work with you, in the US a reliable way to find odd ball coverage for home businesses is with an agent that deals in insuring farm and ranches. As they typicaly encompass home insurance as well as the versus riders for on farm businesses. Many farms run fabrication shops, machine shops, truck and heavy equipment services ect. On the same property. Your average city based agent has no clue were to look and is making enough money that taking the time to find the coverage that fits you isn’t profitable to him/her. 

[JustAnotherViking]

I got a great quote from Ian Wallace (mentioned above), for the craft aspect of it (public liability, tools, etc), but the second you mention 'blacksmith' to a home insurance company they freak out, and start spitting silly figures because all of a sudden you need 'bespoke' insurance for your 'business' and you also need to use their over-priced home insurance to avoid a conflict of interest (should multiple parties insure the same property should there be a dispute).

The fact is, I would love to sell a few bits and pieces in the future to help with the fuel bill (operating at a loss, or breaking even), but this makes the hobby a commercial activity, and standard home insurance doesn't cover it, and anything i'd consider selling wouldn't even come close to covering the additional business/insurance costs as a result.

I'm sure plenty of folk do it and keep quiet, but i'd rather be on the right side of things should something go wrong.

 

I have spoken to one insurer who is following up with their underwriters, but I was hoping someone else in the UK has been in the same boat and could recommend a particular company.