01 Professional Indemnity Division An Introduction
02 Professional Indemnity Division The Howden way We believe in building relationships based on trust and respect. We work with businesses that take their professional indemnity insurance seriously and recognise the value that working with a specialist broker can add. Areas of expertise Financial Advisers and Mortgage Brokers Insurance Brokers Conveyancers Architects Approved Inspectors Testing and Inspection Surveyors Engineers Accountants Actuaries Solicitors Building and Engineering Contractors Trustees and Trust Companies Psychological and Complementary Therapists HR, Educational and Training Consultants and OFSTED Inspectors Our relationship stretches back almost 10 years which is testament to the continuing high level of service they provide us with. I would have no hesitation in recommending Howden as exemplary insurance providers. Partner & Chief Executive UK top 20 Architectural practice
03 Welcome The Howden Professional Indemnity team is committed to ensuring all clients, irrespective of size, benefit from the essential facets of a great quality insurance broking service: Expertise provided by a team you trust, which understands and specialises in the sector you operate in Professional Indemnity insurance policies that offer breadth of cover provided by a team that can clearly explain what you are and are not covered for Competitive premiums delivered via strong relationships with insurers who respect us and trust us to honestly represent your business An in-house claims handling team to act as your advocates in the event of a claim or notification A team that cares for your business and that enjoys their relationship with you I am proud of the relationships we have with our clients, many of which have lasted over a decade and I am committed to ensuring that we continue to provide a great quality service. Simon Lakey Head of PI Division
Professional Indemnity Division Expertise, Knowledge and Strength Our client base includes many of the UK s leading professional services firms and we are recognised for our ability to look after businesses operating in higher risk areas. We employ over 130 insurance professionals and our business leaders across claims, broking and account management all have over 25 years experience. We recognise the importance of developing strong relationships with both your business and your insurers. You can be assured that when you want something done you will be able to contact the right person and they will respond quickly and appropriately. We are renowned for developing market leading policy wordings. Our first priority is always to ensure that you and your business benefit from breadth of coverage and that the person you deal with understands the cover you require and can clearly articulate the product you are buying. Where coverage requires tailoring to meet a specific business need we have the knowledge to identify the requirement, the expertise to design the solution and the negotiating strength with insurers to deliver it. We deal directly with the majority of the UK s PI insurers so our clients can be confident that, where required, a broad range of insurers will be approached. The breadth of our relationship with the insurance market also helps to ensure that where a firm s claims history or area of operation reduces insurer appetite, we will have the relationships that enable us to secure cover. Insurers appreciate the quality of our client base and respect us and trust us to present your business with integrity and knowledge. Our experience and relationships with insurers combine to enable us to find and develop PI insurance solutions at a time when insurers don t or can t underwrite the business due to rising claims volumes. This is why we dominate some of the most challenging professional sectors in excess of 250 medium to large legal firms, 40% of the UK s survey and valuation firms and six of the UK s top ten Financial Advisers and networks.
05 Each of our sub-teams is dedicated to servicing one or two specific professional sectors and every team is led by a Director with at least 25 years PI experience. Irrespective of your premium spend, we aim to offer access to frank, honest insurance, claims and risk management advice based on an in-depth knowledge of the sector you operate in. An increasing number of our clients operate overseas. This can present a unique and complex series of insurance challenges. It means responding to the varying insurance requirements of different jurisdictions, to handling the concerns of local insurance buyers who are being transitioned from locally arranged policies, to a global insurance programme, to meeting the needs of offices of differing sizes with varying risk profiles. We represent a broad range of clients whom operate globally, in addition to a number of clients who are headquartered overseas. Our own division s expertise is supported by Hyperion Insurance Group s global footprint which provides us with access to on the ground insurance expertise in many of the world s key territories.
06 Professional Indemnity Division What makes us different and what does it mean for your business? Knowledge We understand what you do and what insurers want. You will get appropriate cover, from the right insurer, at the right price. Sector specialisation We take time to understand the sector you operate in. We understand the risks your business is exposed to. Claims service Over 30 claims advocates to guide, manage and advise on notifications and claims. Expertise We have over 130 PI specialists. We know what we re doing. Strength Our size and reputation helps us consistently negotiate better premiums with insurers. Size Large enough to make a difference with insurers but still small enough to offer great service based on strong relationships. Integrity We tell it how it is, providing honest and informed advice and guidance. Keeping you informed Gathering intelligence and sharing it via newsletters, magazines and events to benefit you.
07 Our Team Our people, culture and management structure define the service you receive. We have one of the most experienced PI teams in the UK, with over 130 insurance professionals. The team is led by five Executive Directors whose experience spans broking, account management and claims handling. They each have over 25 years insurance industry experience handling the full spectrum of professional services firms from solicitors through to surveyors. They are actively involved in managing accounts and maintain close personal relationships with many of our clients and insurers. Our core functions; account management, broking and claims are divided into units with each unit focusing on one or two specific sectors and headed by a director with an in-depth knowledge of those sectors. This ensures all of our clients are looked after by a team that not only understands PI but also understands the specific demands of your profession, clients, insurers and regulators. As a business we believe in bringing together teams of enterprising, energetic and passionate people with a genuine commitment to offering outstanding customer service. We maintain close relationships with many of our clients, both large and small. We recognise the importance of being professional and believe firmly in being friendly and approachable but offering tough advice where it s required.
08 Professional Indemnity Division Claims Handling An insurance broker should not only be measured on their ability to secure a competitive premium and the right level of cover, but their capacity to respond effectively in the event of a claim. Many insurance brokers have scaled back or outsourced their claims handling operations in recent years. We don t believe this approach is in our clients best interests. A strong, technically experienced claims handling team, with individuals prepared to challenge insurers initial responses, is at the heart of our business offering and will remain there. That is why we employ one of the UK s largest in-house PI claims handling teams with over 30 members of staff, many with over 20 years experience. We have handled over 500m of paid claims since 2008. We offer you a proven track record you can trust. Our role is simple; to support you and your business throughout the life cycle of a claim, providing advocacy and guidance where required. It is not just our size that sets us apart. It is our approach and service which combine to ensure that wherever possible you get the best achievable outcome. We oversee and co-ordinate insurers, loss adjusters and/or Solicitors throughout the claims process, working closely with them to ensure that your commercial interests are upheld, and reducing the pressure that a claim places on you and your colleagues. We are proud of our high staff retention rate, which enables us to provide consistency of approach, continuity and enduring relationships with both the insured and the insurer. If, like us, you have known many of the senior claims underwriters at insurers for in excess of 20 years, then the level of trust and shared understanding inevitably leads to better results for our clients. We believe in the importance of face to face communication, both with our clients and with insurers. This personal approach is becoming increasingly
09 unusual in a highly commoditised insurance industry. However we feel it enables our claims handlers to develop an in-depth understanding of the personal preferences of both clients and insurers when it comes to resolving a claim. It also creates open dialogue which helps you get vital information on claims trends and allows us to get the information we need from you to successfully act as your advocate. Our expertise and sector specific knowledge enables us to handle a range of claims situations and/or requirements that may be unique to your business. For example, small claims handling agreements or the analysis of claims histories to identify single cause claim scenarios and the subsequent management of negotiations with insurers regarding block notifications. Three things distinguish the Howden Professional Indemnity claims handling team from the competition; firstly their knowledge these are genuine specialists with a complete understanding of the challenges facing their clients and the environment in which they operate. Secondly their skill in dealing with difficult situations whether it be in relation to coverage or otherwise, they know their business and the market respects them for that. The third is perhaps the most significant - they care about protecting their insureds interests and getting the best results out of a claim. How a claim is handled is the best form of advertisement for a broker and that is why so many businesses have remained with them year on year. Professional Negligence Partner UK Top 30 Law Firm
3,500 37 135m+
12 Professional Indemnity Division Howden have looked after our PI facilities for many years and throughout my time as Managing Partner. The reasons are simple, they provide first-rate expertise in ensuring that we are comprehensively covered for our risks and guide us through the market to obtain best value from insurers matched to our needs. Managing Partner Top 50 UK Accountancy Practice Howden have been our PI brokers for the last two years and we have found them to be excellent. They clearly understand our business and are able, therefore, to explain to insurers how our procedures are effective in reducing risk. This understanding, together with their knowledge and expertise in the market place ensured that in a challenging market we secured the right terms for our business. Howden s personal approach to their clients both in terms of renewal and dealing with complaints when they arise has been central to building our good relationship. Regulatory Director UK top 20 Financial Adviser
13 We moved our PI to Howden in 2009 after liaising with them for a number of months before. How do I sum their offering up? Always professional to the nth degree Extremely diligent and thorough in their preparation and delivery Howden provide a level of policy cover / wording which, in my opinion, is one of, if not THE best in the broking market Personable and approachable Willing to explore alternatives and work with our preferred underwriters Ready to listen to our needs and find cover to suit In summary, I am delighted with our choice of brokers. In my opinion, Howden represents the perfect broker for our PI risk and I recommend them without exception. Chief Executive Officer Insurance Brokers
14 Professional Indemnity Division Group Insurance Expertise It is vital your insurance programme meets the evolving needs of your business and the environment in which it operates. Whilst many organisations maintain a close eye on their most expensive and seemingly critical insurances, for example PI, it is not uncommon for other forms of insurance to be rolled over year after year with little or no verification of whether they remain appropriate to business needs. Few businesses are isolated from the effects of operating in an increasingly litigious environment and this coupled with the impact on risk of business evolution, for example increased use of technology, raises the risk profile of all businesses. Whilst being mindful of this, firms should also ensure they take a coordinated approach to purchasing insurance to minimise gaps in cover and avoid a scenario where the same cover is unnecessarily offered by two policies. By combining our in-depth knowledge of the professional sectors we serve with the product expertise and global knowledge of the broader Howden business, we are well placed to handle the most complex global insurance programmes in areas as diverse as those shown in the table opposite. We can provide our clients with access to insurance advisory and broking services across most classes of business insurance ranging from Employee Benefits to Transactional Risk Insurance to Property Insurance. Placing all of your insurances with one broker is not always the right choice. It can result in an uncoordinated programme serviced by multiple offices, with no clear lines of communication and varying service levels. We work hard to avoid this by providing all of our clients with an account chair who will have oversight of all aspects of your insurance programme. Their role is to work with product experts from across the Howden UK Group and use their knowledge of your business to ensure you continuously benefit from high service levels and a dedication to delivering competitive premium, broad coverage and responsive claims handling.
15 People Assets Liabilities Personal Accident Property Employers Liability Expatriate Medical Terrorism Public & Product Liability Business Travel Business Interruption Environmental Liability Kidnap, Ransom & Extortion Employee Health & Benefits War & Political Risks Construction Plant & Equipment Machinery/Electronic Breakdown Directors & Officers Liability Professional Indemnity Cyber Liability Private Client Crime Intellectual Property Protection Rural Fleet Crime Title Insurance Equine Transactional Risk Commercial Risk Trade Credit The standout performer of this year is the acquisitive Hyperion Insurance Group, which enjoyed a 28.1% uplift in brokerage. This is a business that has a great vibe about it. Second last year and first this year. A double that is hard to achieve as it shows sustained outstanding progress. The dynamism of the business means that it can attract some of the best talent. IMAS Commentary On Hyperion Insurance Group Insurance Times Top 50 Insurance Brokers Report, 2014
16 Professional Indemnity Division Howden and Hyperion Insurance Group Your insurance programme is business critical and may be highly complex. Even if you are fortunate enough to operate in a benign claims environment, changing insurance broker will represent a significant step. It is therefore natural that you will seek reassurances regarding the stability of your chosen adviser. Howden is part of the Hyperion Insurance Group, the world s largest employee-owned insurance group. We have the largest, wholly owned international network of any independent broker, allowing us to provide global insurance solutions throughout the world. Together we have over 3,000 staff in over 120 offices in 35 countries around the world. Three characteristics that set us apart Expertise Across all of our divisions, clients receive the attention of sector experts. Whether executing the largest transactions for multinational corporations or designing bespoke products and services for private individuals, Howden has the experience and expertise to produce the best results. Privately-owned Our commitment to employee ownership enables Howden to attract, retain and motivate the most talented people. A unique mix of expertise, innovation and entrepreneurship builds successful and long-term client relationships. Independent Free from outside control, Howden is a true alternative to the world s largest global brokers. Our independence and scale makes us a natural partner for clients looking for bespoke insurance and risk management solutions.
17 We moved to Howden nearly four years ago. They have continuosly given our account truly excellent practical support. This is not a relationship that sparks up for a couple of weeks as renewal approaches; it is there all year round. The team are available at the end of the phone, pretty well 24/7. They are refreshingly open, honest and forthright and, if you would like to see what good looks like, I would strongly recommend that you make contact. Founder / Director Chartered Surveyors specialising in residential property surveys and valuations Thank you very much for handling our Professional Indemnity insurance renewal again this year. I was delighted with the result, obtaining for us a sector leading two year deal, and at a price that compares more than favourably with market rates. I would also like you to convey our thanks to your claims handling team, who continue to deal extremely effectively with any matters that arise. We are appreciative of the continuity of underwriting and the sustained high levels of service and support that Howden provide for us. LLP Secretary Top 20 UK Property Consultants
020 Professional Indemnity Division Contact Us For more information about our services, please contact: T 020 7133 1300 E PI@howdengroup.com W www.howdengroup.com Howden UK Group Limited makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy of the information contained herein. The observations, comments and suggestions made in these documents are advisory and are not intended nor should they be taken as legal, financial or insurance advice. Please contact your specialist broker, legal or financial adviser for an analysis of your specific facts and circumstances. Howden UK Group Limited 16 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1BD United Kingdom T +44 (0)20 7133 1300 F +44 (0)20 7133 1500 E PI@howdengroup.com www.howdengroup.com Part of the Hyperion Insurance Group Howden is a trading name of Howden UK Group Limited, part of the Hyperion Insurance Group. Howden UK Group Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of general insurance business. Registered in England and Wales under company registration number 725875. Registered Office: 16 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1BD. Calls may be monitored and recorded for quality assurance purposes. OUR KNOWLEDGE: YOUR ADVANTAGE