Directline Tradesman Business Insurance: Assumptions made

Tradesman insurance assumptions - saving you time with your quote

Please ensure that the information provided by you is correct, and you comply with the statements on this page. Should you decide to buy this policy, these details will form the basis of the insurance contract between us. Incorrect information could invalidate all or part of the policy. Under European law you and we may choose which law will apply to this contact. English law will apply unless both parties agree otherwise. Our cancellation and complaints procedure is detailed in the policy documents, where you can also find the details of the 14 day cooling off period.

If your circumstances change between the date you purchase the policy and the date when you require the policy to commence, please call us. Incorrect information could invalidate all or part of the policy.

Mid term adjustments to your policy will result in a maximum amendment fee of £21.00 (including Insurance Premium Tax where applicable) in addition to any premium charged or refunded.

If you decide to cancel your policy during the period of insurance a cancellation fee will apply amounting to 1/12th of your annual premium, up to a maximum of £50.00 (calculated at the time of cancellation, plus Insurance Premium Tax where applicable).

• Neither You, nor Your Directors nor Your partners have ever had a proposal for insurance declined, renewal refused, cover terminated, increased premium required or special conditions imposed by any Insurer

• Neither You, nor Your Directors nor Your partners have ever been convicted of or have any prosecution pending for any offence involving arson, violence or dishonesty of any kind (e.g. involving fire, fraud, theft or handling stolen goods)

• Neither You, nor Your Directors nor Your partners have ever been subject of a County Court Judgement (or the Scottish equivalent) or been declared bankrupt or insolvent.

• The number of persons working manually in the business (total of Proprietors, Partners, Employees, Working Directors, Labour Only Sub-Contractors and Trainees) does not exceed the maximum allowed of 10.

• Your business does not involve the use of hazardous substances, such as Radioactive Substances/Devices, Explosives, or materials giving rise to dust, flames or vapours, discharge of toxic or dangerous substances into the atmosphere, waterways or elsewhere and any substance regulated by COSHH regulations

• Your business does not use Cranes, Hoists, Passenger Lifts, Escalators and Scaffolding unless erected by a specialist scaffolding Contractor. Your business does not operate in what may be considered a high risk environment, such as Nuclear Plant/Power Stations, Gas or Chemical Works, Oil Refineries/Bulk Oil Storage, Off Shore Structures, Airfields/Airports, Railway Property, Quarries, Towers, Steeples, Chimney Shafts, Bridges, Viaducts, Flyovers, Underpasses, Docks, Harbours, Piers, Wharves, Dams, Reservoirs, Lakes, Rivers, Foundries or Forges, or in connection with Tunnelling, Mining, Piling, Ground Stabilisation, Underpinning, Dewatering, Water Diversion, Flood Protection, or Sea Defences, processes involving a noise level exceeding 90 decibels, Manual Work outside of the EEC.

Link to previous articles: Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: Claims FAQ Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: How to make a claim? DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ Direct Line Business Insurance: Overview Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice

Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: Claims FAQ

Frequently asked claims questions

Q: What questions will I be asked when I phone to register my claim?
Q: What kind of additional information will I be asked to provide?
Q: What is a Policy Excess?
Q: How will I know if my claim is covered by my policy?
Q: Are there any organisations I can contact for counselling if I am upset by the incident?
Q: Will my premium increase at the next renewal date if I make a claim?
Q: How long will it take to sort out my claim?
Q: Who will deal with my claim once it has been reported?
Q: What measures do Direct Line take to prevent fraud?
What questions will I be asked when I phone to register my claim?
We will ask you what happened and when it happened and what action you've taken so far. Then we'll ask you what it is you're claiming for and the approximate cost(s) involved.

What kind of additional information will I be asked to provide?
It is helpful if you keep receipts, guarantees, instruction manuals, valuations or photographs for your most valuable items in a safe place as these may help to support your claim. By valuable items, we mean tools, computer equipment and business equipment whilst in transit in your vehicle.
We may also ask you to provide us with estimates or invoices for claims involving repair or replacement of items.
If the claim involves a repair, we normally request two estimates for comparison purposes.
If the incident involves theft or criminal damage, or if any property has been lost outside of the workplace, you should inform the police immediately and make a note of the police incident number.

What is a Policy Excess?
This is the part of each claim that you agree to pay - we cover you for the remaining amount. The experienced claims handler will inform you of the amount of the excess and details can also be found in the policy schedule.
We will deduct the amount of the Policy Excess from the settlement of your claim, or alternatively our appointed specialist or supplier will collect this amount from you on our behalf.

How will I know if my claim is covered by my policy?
Our experienced claims handlers are fully trained and have an excellent knowledge of the policy cover you have arranged with us. Wherever possible, we will let you know during your first call to us whether your claim is covered by your policy.
It may help you to read through the policy booklet along with your schedule of cover before ringing us to report your claim.

Are there any organisations I can contact for counselling if I am upset by the incident?
Direct Line, in association with Victim Support, can provide you with support when you need it the most. The emotional effects of a theft or loss can be difficult to deal with - you may feel angry, frightened or unsafe.
Most people suffer in silence, but you needn't - just sharing your thoughts can help. Together, Direct Line and Victim Support can help you pick up the pieces practically and emotionally.
Victim Support is the national charity offering victims of crime emotional support through trained volunteers. If you need a knowledgeable and sympathetic ear, their services are available 24-hours a day.
Simply call the Victim Support line on 0845 30 30 900 or have a look at their website at www.victimsupport.com. Calls may be recorded.

Will my premium increase at the next renewal date if I make a claim?
Our tradesman insurance policies do not include a 'no claims discount', as we feel it would be unfair to penalise clients for the many types of trade claims which are totally outside of their control e.g. flood, fire or theft. However, making several claims under your policy could result in an increased premium at the next renewal date. This depends on the number, type and value of claims you make. Our premiums are calculated individually and you will be notified in advance of the renewal date.

How long will it take to sort out my claim?
Some claims are more straightforward than others - when you call to register your claim one of our experienced claims handlers will give you an indication of the timescales involved.

Who will deal with my claim?
Our Claims Handling Centre is based in Liverpool. The details and contact numbers will appear on any correspondence we send you.

What measures do Direct Line take to prevent fraud? Our main aim is to ensure that our honest customers, which of course are the vast majority, are dealt with as quickly as possible. However, we know that fraud is a reality and that a very small number of people provide false details in order to make up, or inflate claims. We believe it is important that we identify and avoid paying such claims, as they affect the cost of tradesman insurance for everybody. As fraud is a criminal offence, we believe it is our duty to forward details of any fraudulent activities to the Police. There are a number of insurance industry databases through which we share information with other companies about claims and fraudsters. This allows us to use the latest technology to conduct checks for unusual features and fraud. We also share information about fraud with other companies within the financial services industry, the Police and other bodies where the law allows us to do so. These pages are for information purposes only. They do not form part of the contract of insurance.

Link to previous articles: Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: How to make a claim? DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ Direct Line Business Insurance: Overview Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice Directline Life Insurance: Get Life insurance cover

Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: How to make a claim?

Directline is here to help you make a claim quickly, and deal with it fairly - with as little hassle as possible.

To make a claim, or for information on claims, call our experienced claims team on:
0845 303 1753

Lines open:
8am - 8pm Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm Saturday and 10am - 4pm Sunday
Calls may be recorded. Calls from a BT landline charged at local rate. Calls from other networks may vary.

How to claim

• Ring us and we'll tell you if your claim is covered - if you are, we'll register your claim straight away. Please have your policy documents to hand.

• If you have suffered a break-in or lost any items outside your property - call the Police straight away, and make a note of the crime reference number.

• For all large claims, we'll arrange for a claims adviser or loss adjuster to visit you as soon as possible

• A Direct Line approved specialist or supplier may be appointed to deal with the claim on our behalf. • Damaged items may be repaired for you. Have you been a victim of crime? Victim Support is the national charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime. It provides free, confidential, practical help and support - you can call them on 0845 30 30 900 (9am - 9pm weekdays, 9am - 7pm weekends, 9am - 5pm Bank Holidays. Calls may be recorded.).

Link to previous articles: DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ Direct Line Business Insurance: Overview Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice Directline Life Insurance: Get Life insurance cover Directline Life Insurance: How much cover do you need?

DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ

Q: What if I don't have an email address?
Q: How long is a quote valid for?
Q: How far in advance can I get a quote?
Q: What if I don't know the date of my claim?
Q: What if I don't know the amount of my claim?
Q: What if the cause of my claim is not there?
Q: How many claims can I have?
Q: What are the exclusions on this policy?
Q: What are the standard excesses?
Q: Do you accept cheques or cash?
Q: What does public liability cover?
Q: What does employer's liability cover?
Q: What if I haven't got a business name?
Q: I'm not a Tradesman, can I insure with Direct Line for Business?
Q: Can you cover my van under the tradesman policy?
Q: What if my trade is not on the list?
Q: What do I do if I have multiple trades?
Q: How many trades can I have on this policy?
Q: What do I do if I have more than three trades?
Q: What is the maximum number of people I can cover for manual work?
Q: What is the maximum number of people I can cover for clerical work?
Q: What covers are available under this product?
Q: If I select the tools section will they be covered in the van overnight?
Q: Under what circumstances will my premium in year 2 be the same as year 1?
Q: What would be a material change to my risk?

What if I don't have an email address?
You will need to enter a valid email address to obtain a quote. If you do not have an email address you can still obtain a quote and buy a policy by calling us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

How long is a quote valid for?
Your quote will be valid for 30 days from the day you receive it.

How far in advance can I get a quote?
You can get a quote up to 30 days in advance.

What if I don't know the date of my claim?
If you are unsure of the date of your claim(s) please contact your current or previous insurance provider to find out. Alternatively you can enter an approximate date and then contact us on 0845 303 1760 to amend your claims details with the correct information. Calls may be recorded.

What if I don't know the amount of my claim?
If you are unsure what the amount of your claim(s) is please contact your current or previous insurance provider to find out. Alternatively you can enter an approximate cost and then contact us on 0845 303 1760 to amend your claims details with the correct information. Calls may be recorded.

What if the cause of my claim is not there?
If you can not find the cause of you claim from the list provided, please contact us on 0845 303 1756 for help. Calls may be recorded.

How many claims can I have?
You can provide us with up to four claims within the last 3 years. In the majority of cases we will be able to help, but our ability to provide a quote will depend on the information you supply. Unfortunately, if you have more than four claims we will not be able offer a quote

What are the exclusions on this policy?
Please refer to the policy summary document where we detail the general exclusions. For more details please refer to your policy wording or call our customer services department on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

What are the standard excesses?
Your individual excesses will be found in the 'Your Summary' page when you have completed the quote details or alternatively please call us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

Do you accept cheques or cash?
No, we only accept payments by direct debit and credit/debit cards. Cards that are accepted are MasterCard, Visa Electron, Visa, Maestro and Solo card.

What does public liability cover?
This provides protection against your legal liability for death or bodily injury (other than to an employee) and / or loss or damage to third party property arising out of the operation of your business.

What does employer's liability cover?
This protects you against claims for compensation from employees following injury for which you are legally liable

What if I haven't got a business name?
If you do not have a business name then please enter your full name instead.

I'm not a Tradesman, can I insure with Direct Line for Business?
We only provide insurance solutions for Tradesmen, Residential Properties and Vans at present. We are in the process of developing some additional products.

Your Business

Can you cover my van under the tradesman policy?
Unfortunately your van is not covered under the tradesman policy but Direct Line does offer van insurance as a separate product. If you would like to get a quote you can do this online or call us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

What if my trade is not on the list?
If you can not find your exact trade, or one that best matches what you do, on the list provided please call us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

What do I do if I have multiple trades?
You have the option to input up to three trades so that we can fully understand your business. If you need some help selecting the right trade or you have more than 3 trades under one policy please call us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

How many trades can I have on this policy?
You can select up to a maximum of 3 trades on your policy.

What do I do if I have more than three trades?
If you need to add more than three trades under your policy please call us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

What is the maximum number of people I can cover for manual work?
You can have up to a maximum of 10 people covered for manual work under your policy.

What is the maximum number of people I can cover for clerical work?
You can have up to a maximum of 10 people covered for clerical work under your policy.

What covers are available under this product?
Our policy provides the following as standard:
• Public Liability
You can also insure:
• Employers Liability
• Tools

If I select the tools section will they be covered in the van overnight? Only if your van is in a locked building or compound. Please refer to the policy wording for full details. Under what circumstances will my premium in year 2 be the same as year 1? The premium will be fixed for two years if there is no material change in your risk. What would be a material change to my risk? Some examples of materials changes to your risk are if you hire more employees, make changes or additions to your trade, or add extra covers to your policy.

Link to previous articles: Direct Line Business Insurance: Overview Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice Directline Life Insurance: Get Life insurance cover Directline Life Insurance: How much cover do you need? Direct Line Life Insurance: Types of Covers