WPS are delighted to announce the addition of new staff members to strengthen team providing client service as a result of our continued growth during 2011.

Julie Paddon and Mark Gerry have joined our team of account handlers having both had many years experience working in the insurance sector.

Linda Shute joins as account handler having previously been the Insurance officer at University of Plymouth.

Kimberley Snee joins our finance team as finance assistant.

NEW MOTOR INSURANCE REGULATIONS – CONTINUOUS INSURANCE ENFORCEMENT

The introduction of Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) will be one of the most significant changes to affect everyone who owns and keeps a vehicle.

The scheme is supported by the Department of Transport, DVLA, the insurance industry and the police. It has been designed to work in conjunction with the Motor Insurance Database to further reduce the level of uninsured driving in England, Scotland & Wales.

So what does CIE mean?

To put it simply, anyone keeping a vehicle will either need to have purchased appropriate insurance or have contacted DVLA to declare it “off road”.

At present it is only an offence to use a vehicle without insurance. However from April 2011 the implementation of CIE will mean even if your vehicle is kept in a garage and never used it will still need to be insured or otherwise declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notice)

How will it work?

The CIE scheme will use registration details and Motor Insurance Database (MID) records to identify registered keepers with no apparent insurance.

Letters will be sent to all registered keepers with vehicles which have no SORN record and also appear to have no insurance.

These letters will set out what options the keeper will then have, which include:

• To declare the vehicle “off road” (SORN) with the DVLA
• To check with their insurance provider that their details are correct and appear on the MID; OR
• To purchase an appropriate motor insurance policy

What are the penalties for non compliance?

Any registered keeper who fails to take action will face:

·         a fixed penalty fine of £100

·         court prosecution and be fined up to £1,000

·         having the vehicle clamped, seized and destroyed

The police will seize vehicles from people who flout the law and drive without motor insurance – since 2005, more than 550,000 uninsured vehicles have been seized.

Over the last 5 years the number of motor accidents involving uninsured drivers that had to be dealt with by the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) has reduced by 13% and the introduction of CIE will reduce this figure further.

With a proportion of the motor insurance premium every policyholder pays going towards the cost of meeting uninsured claims the introduction of CIE will benefit law-abiding citizens as it is anticipated it will lead to savings in the region of £100 million per year.

WPS are delighted to announce that John Crownshaw has joined the WPS team in the role of business consultant.

John has considerable experience as a senior  partnership director with Bond Pearce LLP and previously as finance controller with Nationwide Building Society.

John will assist WPS with strategic and business development

The board of WPS are delighted to announce the company has been awarded Investors In People status.

Chairman Richard Persson commented that the award reflected the companys commitment to staff training and as well as the desire of staff to personal growth and development.

WPS employs 32 staff many of whom have been with the company for over 5 years and has an excellent record of staff retention. As an independent company WPS aims to be the preferred employer in our sector in the region

ATTENTION ALL MOTORISTS AND FLEET OPERATORS..........

IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT HOW CLAIMS HANDLING IS CHANGING

On the 30^th April 2010 the Ministry of Justice will introduce a new handling procedure for Personal Injury claims resulting from motor accidents.

The most significant aspect of these reforms from a clients’ perspective is that insurers will only have 15 working days from contact by the claimant to make a decision regarding liability.

So now, more than ever, it is absolutely crucial that you notify us of any accident that you or your drivers are involved in IMMEDIATELY.  If the accident occurs at the weekend or out of business hours, then please contact your insurers direct on their helpline. This will help us and your insurers manage your claim in your best interests.

If insurers do not comply with this time scale, there will be financial penalties which will ultimately affect your claims experience. Furthermore, as your insurers have a statutory duty to comply with the reforms they may choose to admit liability on your behalf and deal with the third party claim if they have not heard from you.

The claimant’s solicitors will have access to your insurance details through the Motor Insurers Database and will communicate direct with your insurers through a dedicated website, which means that your insurers may know about the injury claim before you do. It is therefore imperative that you do not wait for contact from a third party before reporting the accident, so that insurers know your version of events.

It is also vital that you make it as easy as possible for your insurers to complete the enquiries that are necessary. In practical terms, this means letting them speak direct with your drivers or transport manager.

Basically, time is of the essence, and if claims are not notified quickly, they will almost certainly end up costing you more.

Here are a few suggestions of how you can help us help you:

• Give your drivers our dedicated claims handler numbers – they are 01752 675456 & 01752 675485.

• Make your drivers aware of your insurer helpline number for out of hour’s accidents.

• Provide your drivers with an accident report form to get the important information if they are involved in an accident. We can supply a suitable form on request.. Have them keep a few in their vehicle, just in case.

• Allow your insurers direct access to your driver – when notifying a claim let us have your drivers telephone number and not just that for the office.

• Equip your drivers with a camera or mobile phone with a camera facility – a photo of the scene of an accident is a very useful addition to a description.

• Review your own procedures, for example: –

1.      Implement and enforce a reporting procedure for drivers.

2.      Interview drivers quickly

3.      Send on paperwork without delay

4.      Allow insurers access to your drivers direct

• Be  PRAGMATIC – if the accident is your fault confirm this to us/your insurers straight away, as contested claims will certainly cost more

Following our continued growth David Jolly has joined WPS as a senior account handler.

As an Associate of the CII, David will provide further strength to our client support team and brings a wealth of experience from over 25 years in the insurance industry.

Having worked for International brokers and regional competitors, David chose to join WPS because he related to our culture of putting clients interests at the forefront of what we do. David was especialy keen to have the ability to work independently and use his experience for the benefit of our clients.

WPS are deligthed to announce that Colin Raffell has joined as a client account executive.

Colin has a great deal of experience of providing advice and service to clients across the South West especially those in the Motor Trade Sector.

The current period of recession creates huge challenges for commercial and personal clients.

WPS recognise that clients need support during these times and are providing experienced advice to clients to minimise their premium spend.

Taking our philosophy of risk management  whereby only risks which cannot be carried by business and individuals alone should be transferred to insurers we urge all clients to review their insurance programmes to meet their needs.

For example savings can be made through;

• Reduction of stock levels/sums insured
• Review of levels of self insurance e.g excess
• Amendment of estimates of turnover, wageroll and gross profit all of which affect premium levels

At a time when there is great uncertainty about financial institutions WPS as an independent broker can also provide advice in choice of insurer through our experience in areas such as:

• Insurer security
• Insurer service levels
• Insurer claims service
• Insurer competitiveness

Contact WPS for independent advice where clients interests come first.

As a result of new legislation, Companies are able to display Employers Liability Certificates of Insurance on their own intranet which provides flexibility over the practice of hanging or displaying Certificates of Insurance in every place of business which has been the previous Statutory Requirement.   

In addition, the Government has removed the requirement that Certificates must be retained for 40 years but instead will now rely on a principle of “best practice” to encourage businesses to keep proper records.

WPS recommend that clients still retain copies of Certificates of Insurance and for clients who have a Register of Insurance, WPS will provide the service of maintaining a record of historical insurers within the company’s Register of Insurances.

WPS Client Survey

Click here to view a larger version of the WPS Client Survey.

As part of our desire to improve customer service, WPS undertook a review of our current service levels with a large number of clients during 2006. The results are summarised in graph format . Please contact us for further information on specific areas of our service

WPS Insurance gives a friendly and professional service to its many corporate and individual clients, both in and outside the South West region, we are seeking to recruit an Insurance Broker specialising in Personal Lines to deal with our full range of personal insurances to include Motor, Household, Travel, Small craft, Personal Accident Insurance & Property owners.

As an Account Handler you will be responsible for dealing with a portfolio of clients that will involve the development of new & existing business, providing quotations, broking risks to the market, as well as dealing with mid term adjustments, renewals, invoicing & general administration.

The successful candidate will require excellent telephone, computer & communication skills as well as being a highly organised individual with an ability to prioritise in a multi-tasking environment. Open Gi computer experience is preferred but not essential. In return a competitive salary & benefits package are being offered to the right candidate.

If you wish to join our successful team please telephone Anita Riddell, HR Manager for an informal discussion & application form on 01752 675496 or anita.r@wpsinsurance.co.uk

Staff from WPS undertook a number of challenges and fun events to raise in excess of £1000 for Children In need

Events included  a fancy dress competition and a directors fitness challenge/triathlon .

Thanks to all who participated and to all our corporate sponsors for their generosity

Statement from WPS chairman 17 September 2008;

"During the last few days clients have been concerned about the financial problems of the Insurer AIG.

Whilst we have been monitoring the situation, as your Professional Advisors you will be pleased to know that following the US Federal Reserve acquiring 80% of the Company, we believe concerns about AIG security can now be allayed.

We do not recommend at this time any changes in your insurance arrangements with AIG.

We will continue to monitor developments in the financial markets on your behalf and advise as appropriate."

Richard Persson Chairman WPS

The new regulations, which are set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 come into effect on 1st October 2006.  These replace the current provisions covered in various sets of legislation and do away with Fire Certificates. 

The Government press releases on the subject say that the new Regulations make fire safety duties easier to understand.  It is also claimed that the new Regulations do not put any additional burden on employers.

This is an over simplification.  In bringing the new Regulations into line with the general principles of health and safety law the duties are much more proactive.  There is greater emphasis on risk reduction first, prevention secondly and precautions finally.

The fire safety obligations have to be met by the “responsible person” which means the employer in the case of the workplace.  For other premises, the responsible person is the one in control of the premises or the owner.  The definition of “premises” includes not only buildings but anywhere in the open, except a public road, where people may be working.

The “responsible person” must take the general fire precautions to reduce the risk of fire occurring, and its potential spread, on the premises.  This must include the provision of safe means of escape, fire detection and warnings, training of employees etc.  The “Guidance” document is detailed and runs to 145 pages.

 Clients must remember that Fire Certificates will be of no effect and businesses must comply with the new Regulations from 1st October 2006.

WPS recognises that some clients may have difficulty in understanding, interpreting or complying with the new Regulations.

You should be aware that WPS has a dedicated Risk Management Team able to help you with this or other general Health and Safety matters.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like assistance in this area.

Stephen Packer has joined WPS. Sales Director Steve Harvey commented; "we are delighted to have secured the services of Stephen who will bring to WPS many years of broking experience and create opportunities for us to extend our services to new and existing clients in East Devon, Somerset and Avon areas".

Stephen chose to join WPS primarily because of our independence which will enable him to offer clients a wide range of products from a choice of markets and provide advice and service in clients best interests.