Pro Installer March 2016 - Issue 36 | Page 3

3 PRO INSTALLER MARCH 2016 PRO NEWS @proinstaller1 INSURANCE PROTECTION FOR YOUR BUSINESS Kent-based insurance brokers Marsh Insurance Services – which has been insuring trades people and businesses for over 35 years discusses if you are operating within the law in terms of cover. Public Liability Insurance is a key cover for many businesses as it can protect you if someone is injured or property is damaged because of your business activities. The cover limits normally range from £1million to £5million, to protect you against this cost. If you have employees, contractors, casual workers or temporary staff, you’re required by law to take out employers liability insurance. It covers claims from employees who’ve been injured or became seriously ill as a result of working for you. You can also protect your tools and equipment with business equipment insurance. We understand that your equipment is essential, and with this cover you can ensure that you’re back in business quickly in the event of loss or damage. EMPLOYERS LIABILITY – THE GREY AREA: ARE YOU OPERATING WITHIN THE LAW? It is important to correctly determine the status of sub-contractors that you use to ensure that the cover provided by your policy is adequate. You need to determine Bona Fide Subcontractor or Labour Only Sub Contractor status. For example, just because a self-employed individual pays their own tax and national insurance doesn’t necessarily mean that they do not come under your care as an employee in certain situations. Always seek professional advice for your individual circumstances but as a general rule of thumb we would compare the sub contractors as follows: Marsh Insurance Services Insurance products tailored to your trade BONA FIDE SUB CONTRACTORS (BFSC) Did you know that most insurance companies would usually exclude losses caused by work undertaken for your business by BFSC, unless you take all reasonable steps to ensure that they have and maintain public liability insurance with a limit no less than that under your own policy? They will not make any payment for any claim or loss where you fail to satisfy these requirements in full, commonly called the indemnity to principle clause. LABOUR ONLY SUB CONTRACTORS (LOSC) Should be treated as employees. Generally they work under the direction of the insured and do not provide their own materials or tools. It is a ‘master/servant’ relationship. Cover therefore should be arranged for them by the main contractor. www.marshinsuranceservices.co.uk or call 01797 362007 Record year down to ‘returning confidence’ Purplex managing director Andrew Scott says returning industry confidence is a key reason for his firm’s impressive year. The window industry marketing company ended 2015 up 57% compared to 2014, and has seen record yearon-year growth over the last five years. The full-service marketing agency has teams of specialists in PR, video, design and branding, digital marketing and web/mobile and works with industry heavyweights such as Winkhaus, Astraseal and Everest. Andrew comments: “2015 was a seminal year for Purplex, with management information showing a dramatic increase in client activity, compared to 2014. Our clients are buying and selling more and hitting ambitious growth targets. As a barometer for the wider industry, it shows returning confidence and optimism. “We also brought on several major new clients in the construction and building products sector in 2015. All were hungry to attack their respective markets and increase market share.” Purplex employs over 40 staff and has recently announced a major recruitment drive, with the aim of creating 25 new jobs in 2016. They were triple finalists in the recent Construction Marketing Awards, including the Agency of the Year category. Andrew concluded: “Naturally there are industry pressures such as supply of products and skills but o