Insurance - where are we now?

It's now 12 months since David Hewitt of Algarve Insurance Brokers Ltd contacted me with the very bleak news that AXA, the insurance company behind the Algarve scheme, were about to pull out of the arb and forestry insurance market. We narrowly escaped - insurance is still available - thanks to the concerted efforts of the AA, other industry representative organisations, the HSE and insurance brokers David Hewitt (Algarve) and Richard Bryant (Bryant Kesek).

"But at what price?" you say. Those paying premiums will know the harsh realities of paying double, triple or even more for their insurance. The actions of the AA and others are for all to see on our website (go to the big question mark on the home page) - summarised as follows:

	We have agreed across the arboricultural industry a standard for health and safety in arboricultural contracting and advised brokers that they should use this standard to assess contractors' health and safety practices.
	We have sent two letters to government requesting various actions (see website)
	We have regularly attempted to get the 'insurance' message out to contractors and their potential customers - along with others we have produced a leaflet advising clients of the need to check that their chosen contractor is insured (and advice on other checks to make) - you can see this on the publications page of the website.

These 'Employing Tree Work Contractors" leaflets are free - I encourage you to download copies of this leaflet. If you are a contractor, give them to customers with your quote; if you are in local government, put them in your reception for people to collect; if you are a consultant, include a copy with your reports.

The insurance campaign has also cost the Association money - a significant part of the Association's work over the last year has been coordinating the industry's efforts to retain insurance availability.

The hidden cost of the insurance crisis.

The industry has already borne other costs: a non-financial cost to arboriculture is those who have decided enough is enough - the loss of the skills and experience of those who have gone to do something where, perhaps, the margins aren't so tight. But perhaps the worst scenario is those who have been unable to obtain insurance but continue to trade. There must be plenty - Hatton Hanson Associates (HHA) tells me that the threat of a pre-insurance health and safety audit is proving too much for some.