EXPRESS

May 2024

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Catering Trailer & Outside ​Caterer – now automatically ​includes Event Cancellation

Technical Underwriting

Update

Empower Your Professional ​Journey: Unveiling the new

CE Learning Platform

I am happy to announce that Commercial Express will be participating in the ​​highly anticipated British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) 2024 ​​conference and exhibition in Manchester on the 15th and 16th of May. We are ​​keen to share all our latest news during this ​event and are very much looking ​forward to the opportunity to connect with all of you.

We invite you to visit us at stand B19, where our dedicated team will be on ​hand to engage with you and showcase the latest developments from ​Commercial Express.

This year is particularly special for us as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, ​​marking a significant milestone in our journey. We take immense pride in ​​being one of the largest independently owned Managing General Agents in ​the UK, a testament to our commitment to delivering ​exceptional service and ​innovative solutions.

Moreover, we achieved Chartered Insurance Underwriting Agents Status in ​​October last year, a remarkable accomplishment that reflects our dedication ​​to professionalism and our pledge to provide you, our brokers, with excellent ​​service. We are honoured to have attained this esteemed status and to be ​​among the select few who have achieved this recognition.

We remain steadfast in our pursuit of excellence and look forward to ​celebrating our achievements, sharing our exciting developments, and ​connecting with you at BIBA 2024.

Warm regards,

Duncan Pritchard

Managing Director of Commercial Express

We are delighted to announce the exciting development of our Residential Property Owners Scheme Let Secure which as of the 1st April is now backed ​by Canopius. The scheme offers significant rate reductions and other enhancements making it more competitive than previously. Here are some of the ​adjustments made:

• We have significantly reduced the rate in a number of postcode areas
  
• We have implemented a modernised postcode file that will significantly reduce referral numbers
  
• The product will now quote for unoccupied bronze, silver, and gold, with the same underwriting terms and coverage as Let Shield
  

This means that our suite of 4 Residential Property Owners Schemes (Let Shield, Let Protect, Let Assured, and Let Secure) is stronger than ever and can ​offer substantial benefits to your clients. With all products backed by A-rated insurers, they provide a high level of assurance regarding the protection ​your clients will receive. Our schemes provide essential coverage for a wide range of risks.

Please see below a summary of benefits across our 4 schemes…

• Let Secure Scheme – now backed by Canopius offers significant rate reductions
  
• Up to 4 Schemes to Quote from
  
• Up to £4,000,000 Total Sum Insured
  
• Wide Range of Tenancy Types & Risk Profiles
  
• FREE £5,000 Contents Cover when Occupied*
  
• FREE Loss of Rent (Up to 20% of the Buildings Sum Insured)
  
• FREE Accidental Damage Cover**
  

*Not included in our Let Secure Scheme

**Unless occupied by DSS Referral / Asylum Seekers or Unoccupied

We’re delighted to announce that Ascot Underwriting has agreed to join the SME panel of insurers with immediate effect.

The three new schemes will be underwritten 100% by Ascot Underwriting and consist of Fast Food and Restaurant, Public House and Shop.

The schemes will benefit from an updated postcode file, more flexible security requirements and higher levels of discount dependent on the quality of ​the risk.

The number of referral points has drastically been reduced on the new schemes, which will prove popular with all brokers.

As part of our strategy for continuous improvement, we have relaunched our Shop - Brit/Ascot product which now also includes Wholesale appetite.

The new look Shop & Wholesale product is suitable for retailers and wholesalers. The ability to write both wholesale and retail risks on one policy is a ​significant improvement to the overall proposition and broker experience.

Wholesale risks will now benefit from a policy minimum premium of £264 (includes IPT + Fee) compared to the previous minimum of £488 (includes IPT + ​Fee).

You will now be able to write Wholesalers up to £3,000,000 turnover prior to referral to insurers. (Previously anything above £1m was declined).

The new facility now also benefits from a greater range of Wholesale trades. Please see additional trades below.

The following improvements to the shop scheme extend to the below:

• The trade cycle shop has been expanded to include repairs. In addition, this will also include Service Indemnity cover.
  
• The new trade Dog Groomers: automatically comes with treatment cover.
  
• The stock category perishable goods referral trigger has increased from £75k to £100k.
  
• The following trades have been added to accommodate trades frequently disclosed under elaborated trade descriptions.
  

We are delighted to inform our brokers that AmTrust has joined the Commercial Express panel of A-rated Insurers. AmTrust now provides Material Damage ​capacity for a number of our schemes including Shop, Office, Fast Food & Restaurant, Public House and Commercial Property Owners. Ascot Group’s ​Syndicate 1414 at Lloyd’s will continue to provide capacity for liabilities, where applicable.

AmTrust has a long-term commitment to collaborate with Commercial Express in developing and improving these products. The partnership with AmTrust ​Europe Limited signifies a significant milestone for Commercial Express, as we continue to enhance our proposition by aligning with trusted brands ​synonymous with quality and trust.

In terms of any changes to the schemes, there will be very few to start with. We have applied a new flood and subsidence postcode table and several of the ​schemes will have the base rates increased by a nominal percentage.

Another benefit of moving to AmTrust is the introduction of a new claims TPA – CP Adjusting Services appointed by AmTrust which will provide this service ​across all of the above schemes.

At Commercial Express we are delighted to announce that we have expanded our Motor Insurance Coverage to Specialist Business Vans which is ​underwritten by Zurich Insurance Public Limited Company via KGM.

This innovative addition is specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of businesses such as pet grooming vans, mobile barbershops, mobile salons, ​mobile boutiques, and mobile cleaning vans.

This cover also now includes vans that have fixed cleaning equipment in the back.

And with a streamlined question set and the recently introduced Voluntary Excess and Protected No Claims Bonus options, plus instant policy ​documentation, this product gives you additional flexibility.

What’s more, we have recently introduced Breakdown Cover and Legal Expenses as Optional Extras on our Catering and Specialist Business Van product.

We are delighted to announce that our market-leading Outside Caterers and Catering Trailer schemes have just got even better.

With immediate effect Event Cancellation cover is included automatically on both schemes.

Under the circumstances that the event your policyholder was attending is cancelled by the event organiser*, then the policyholder will receive up to ​£5,000 loss of income.

Further to this, the Catering Trailer product now has the following cover options:

• Portable Generator Cover.
  
• Stock and Non-Fixed Contents cover up to £10,000 (previously restricted to £2,500).
  

Finally, the system will now quote risks with a turnover of up to £1,000,000 on the Outside Caterers Product.

If you wish to discuss transferring a book of catering business into Commercial Express, please call our UK Sales Manager, Paul Ingleby on 07496 775 586 or ​email him here.

*Subject to terms and conditions

Residential Property Owners

• Following the transfer to Canopius the Let Secure product experienced the following improvements:
  
• Locks and Key Replacement cover increased from £500 to £1,000.
  
• Alternative accommodation cover extended to include long leaseholders (previously just tenants).
  
• Cover extended to include Unauthorised Use of Utilities – Up to £5,000.
  
• Cover extended to include Illegal Cultivation of Drugs Cover – up to £5,000.
  
• Reduction in Area-related referrals caused by the postal performance of arson, crime, subsidence, and flood.
  
• Various rate reductions.
  
• Ability to write unoccupied properties at competitive premiums.
  
• Buildings definition now extends to include solar and photovoltaic panels.
  

Liability Per Cap/Wages & Turnover:

• The level of cover under the service indemnity extension increased from up to £250,000 to up to £500,000.
  

Land Liability:

• Ability to quote up to 200 acres on Land Liability.
  
• New Land Type: Private Gardens.
  
• The product now comes with up to £5,000 Fly Tipping Cover as standard.
  

New Home for Landlords Contents

Landlords Contents is now underwritten by Canopius.

Further to this transfer the scheme has been updated to include the features below:

Landlords Contents

• 20% Base Rate Reductions.
  
• AD cover is available across all occupied tenancy types.
  
• Minimum premium reduced from £60 to £50 + ipt & fee.
  
• Max TSI limits increased from £57,500 to £80,000.
  

SME

• We added a new insurance product underwritten 100% by Ascot on Public House, Fast Food & Restaurant and on our Shop Lines of Businesses.
  
• Evolved the Shop product to also write Wholesalers.
  
• Evolved our Office product to have the ability to quote MD in isolation.
  
• Improved Security Matrix implemented across Shop products, which adopts a modernised common-sense approach and subsequently reduces referral ​numbers by over 70%.
  
• Increased of the following referral threshold points:
  
• Loss of profits on Fast Food and Restaurant increased from £500,000 to £1,000,000.
  
• The shopfront glass sum insured increased from £10,000 to £20,000 across all SME products.
  

Event

• The option of Event Cancellation cover is now available on the Single Event product.
  

Catering & Specialist Business Van

• Vehicles up to £125,000 (previously £75,000).
  

We are pleased to be able to share all these scheme updates with you as part of our ongoing strategy for enhancing and improving the products that we ​​offer and delivering greater value to our brokers.

We're excited to introduce the brand new Commercial Express Courier Package Product. Crafted for your clients who operate as couriers or delivery ​drivers using vans or cars within the UK, this innovative solution allows you to add on Liability protection to the Goods in Transit Cover seamlessly ​combining them into a single, comprehensive package.

Discover the Features that Set Us Apart...

Flexible Goods in Transit Cover Limits: Empower your clients to choose the perfect coverage with limits ranging from £5,000 to £75,000.

Streamlined Administration: Our Courier Package allows you to add Liability protection to Goods in Transit Cover, which simplifies the process for both you ​and your clients with just one product, one admin fee and one policy wording.

Competitive Premiums: Deliver value to your clients with premiums starting at just £45 + (IPT and fee) for standalone Goods in Transit coverage.

Who Benefits...

Small Businesses: Whether your clients are sole-traders or ​represent larger firms like Amazon, FedEx, Evri, or Yodel, our ​solution caters to their unique requirements.

Couriers & Delivery Drivers: If your clients are involved in ​courier or delivery services using vans or cars within the UK, ​our solution is the ultimate safety net against unforeseen risks.

Please note: This product is not suitable for companies engaged in ​warehousing, larger haulage operations, motorcycle/scooter/bike-based ​couriers, or food/furniture deliveries.

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, staying ​ahead of the curve has become more crucial than ever. That’s why I ​want to emphasise the importance of continuous learning and how it ​can transform your professional journey.

At Commercial Express, we understand the significance of investing in ​your growth and development. That’s why we love our online learning ​platform, designed to empower individuals like you to acquire new ​skills, expand your knowledge, and stay up to date with industry trends. ​And with this, I am happy to share with you that CE Learning has had an ​upgrade, as our learning platform has now been given a facelift! Not ​only is the platform easier to navigate with a simple user interface but ​all your courses are easy to search for. But also with a wide range of ​excellent new courses and resources, CE Learning is your one-stop ​destination for enhancing your expertise and achieving your career ​goals.

One area where CE Learning truly shines is in helping you meet the ​annual requirement for completing your CPD (Continuing Professional ​Development) hours which you can now easily add, track and report on. ​We understand the challenge of balancing work and personal ​commitments, which is why our platform offers flexible learning ​options that fit your schedule.

Whether you prefer bite-sized modules or in-depth courses, CE ​Learning provides a variety of engaging and interactive content to ​ensure a seamless learning experience.

So, join us on this exciting journey of growth and development. Explore ​the wealth of resources available on CE Learning and unlock your full ​potential. Remember, learning is a lifelong process, and by investing in ​yourself, you are investing in a brighter future. Happy learning!

Claudia Partridge

Marketing & L&D Manager