As the owner or manager of a construction firm, you know that construction projects, no matter the size or scope, can be significant undertakings fraught with difficulties and setbacks. Not only are you responsible for doing your job effectively and safely, but you are also responsible for fulfilling your contractual obligations to whoever hired you, whether it was the project employer or a contractor. However, your responsibilities can extend even beyond those parties and apply to third parties using what is called a ‘collateral warranty’. Collateral warranties create a contractual link … [Read more...]

We are pleased to announce that clients of Sentio Insurance Brokers now benefit from a dedicated motor claims management service – Momentum Motor Claims. From first notification through to repairs and settling the claim, our team of experts handle the process 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Backed by a network of repairers across the UK and Northern Ireland, we help our clients speed up the process while remaining committed to reducing the cost of claims and vehicle downtime. This includes: One contact point for all motor claims – Just call 03442 438 917 Enhanced claims handling … [Read more...]

On 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect in the EU and across the United Kingdom. Even though it may seem like the GDPR would not directly impact the construction industry—it will. Unfortunately, 70 per cent of construction firms are unaware of the new data protection rules being introduced by the GDPR, according to a YouGov survey. One huge barrier to GDPR compliance for the construction industry is a false sense of security—many incorrectly believe that the industry doesn’t rely on technology. Yet, the construction industry is actually one of the … [Read more...]

Squatting, or living on someone’s empty property without permission, is a growing risk for property owners. The Ministry of Justice estimates that some 20,000 people squat in unoccupied properties—up from 15,000 a decade ago. And there are nearly 1 million empty homes across the UK, over one-third of which have been vacant for more than six months, according to the charity Empty Homes. Many squatters cause damage to the homes and businesses they choose to live in. What can you to protect your property? Laws Against Squatting In 2012, the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act … [Read more...]

The tragic events in Manchester and London in the last few weeks have felt pretty close to home for most of us – whether we know someone caught up in it all, are regular visitors to the areas affected or have been directly impacted ourselves. What was once considered a ‘never going to happen’ occurrence is unhappily becoming more widespread and the effects can be devastating for businesses. Most commercial property insurance policies don’t cover acts of terrorism as standard, which means without this valuable extension property owners can face substantial expenses should the worst … [Read more...]