Getting public liability insurance whilst bankrupt

broke_brummie

Hi people,

I am currently an undischarged bankrupt and have been offered a job working as a self-employed courier. However, I am struggling to find anyone willing to quote me for public liability insurance. Does anyone know of a company willing to insure someone in my position? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
BR : 27 - 02 - 2009
AD: 27 - 03 - 2010

fiveyearplan

I have public liability insurance. I'll try and dig out who it is with. My job is less of a risk than yours though, not sure if that makes a difference.

broke_brummie

That would be great. Need to try and get insured 1st thing tomorrow morning.

Thanks.

headoutofsand

broke_brummie wrote: »

Hi people,

I am currently an undischarged bankrupt and have been offered a job working as a self-employed courier. However, I am struggling to find anyone willing to quote me for public liability insurance. Does anyone know of a company willing to insure someone in my position? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
BR : 27 - 02 - 2009
AD: 27 - 03 - 2010

What do you need it for? It's not compulsory. Are your customers insisting on it?

FinancesOfAFiveYearOld

headoutofsand wrote: »

What do you need it for? It's not compulsory. Are your customers insisting on it?

You're not from around these parts, are you, HOOS? ;-) I'm assuming from your disparagement of public liability insurance that your choice of userid here is ironic?!

Working as self-employed without it is about as sensible as driving through a demolition derby in a new Bentley without third-party, fire and theft...

OP - can't yet help with names of firms, I'm recently discharged and still haven't found anywhere that doesn't roll their eyes at the thought of insuring a dastardly bankrupt. If no-one else comes up trumps I'll let you know what I find asap - making more phone calls tomorrow. So far everyone has stopped dead when I answer "yes" to the "Have you ever been?" question.

headoutofsand

Yep I know, I had PLI when I was in biz but the fact of the matter is it is still not compulsory for some business's, however I do take your point:cool:

FinancesOfAFiveYearOld

Bearing in mind that - as far as I am aware - the only thing that separates me from Joe Blogs Wedding Photographer, The High Street, Boringville is that I am a discharged bankrupt, an ex-bankrpt, a bankrupt that has ceased to be, a bankrupt that is, laughingly, ha ha ha, no more as Monty Python would observe. I "applied" online at their website, got the online no can do, we need to call you and then without further ado or conversation, received this:

Dear customer,

Thank you for visiting www simplybusiness co uk recently to obtain an insurance quotation and we are sorry that you were not able to obtain an immediate quote online.

A member of our insurance team has reviewed your details and unfortunately the insurers on our panel are unable to provide cover to meet your needs. However our business partner, The Business Octopus, works with a leading panel of specialist business insurance providers and they will review your details and may be able to help you.

If you would like to discuss your insurance needs further with The Business Octopus, please do not hesitate to call them on 0161 9267689, quoting your reference 3366873

We are sorry we have not been of assistance on this occasion.


Kind Regards

Simply Business
Suite 401, Sol House
29 St Katherines Street
Northampton NN1 2QZ
customerservices @ simplybusiness co uk

Company Registration Number: 03967717

The insurers allegedly "on their panel" include Hiscox, Axa, Aviva, Groupama, brit, Finsbury, Acumus, Glemham and Royal & Sun Alliance (those are the logos displayed).

I am ashamed to say that I have politely written back to them to suggest that the roses in Hell's front garden will suffer from extreme frost before I crawl to a second-fiddle "business partner" company for loaded premiums and more dismissive treatment (although I did use exactly that phrase).

I know I should have just sucked it up and been pragmatic but some days, an unclean social pariah's got to do what an unclean social and financial pariah's got to do...

So now I'm only fit for specialist business insurers???

Please, Dear God, if you exist, give me the contract to photograph the wedding of the owner of simplybusiness co uk and I promise you, the bride's !!!!nal villa will be so wide that it eclipses the groom and the groom's mother will be awarded a free photoshop Ein Reich Ein Volke Ein Fuhrer moustache... then they can sue me for a million or ten and the - oh, hang on, no - I'm not insured, am I?

I feel about as welcome since discharge as the flatulence-fairy in a broken and crowded lift on a Summer's day.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance?

moneylexic

Hi there was just about to post the same question as I've just had my quote excepted to refurbish a couples house new kitchen bathroom etc, did speak to a lady from Insurance for business who tried but could not help.

Does any one know of a way around this problem? Was thinking of starting the business in my Girlfriends name as she is keen to get involved but she works full time and i am unsure of what effect it would have on her tax ni etc>

Many thanks an sorry for jacking the thread!

jake32

Alright all i am having the same problem obtaining GIT insurence and public liability absolute nightmare as am only 2 months into bankruptcy are there any companies that will cover you for a half decent price?
cheers
jake

PixiePie

I'm not sure you could use them, as you're obviously not a market trader, but we use the Small Market Traders association. Very cheap/year and nothing about BR in the sign up (but haven't read the small print - it's not me officially that's insured at any rate,it's officially my OH's business and him that has the insurance, I merely work for him (well, volunteer technically). We do about 2 craft fairs a year to qualify for membership and the insurance is included in the membership. As I say, don't think it would be valid for a courrier, but might help someone else?

southlondonsaver

Just try a local independent business insurance broker - they will get you cover - simplybusiness is a joke - if you dont fit into their perfect idea of what is right - dont bother