Towergate MIA offers good advice - Check your Sums Insured properly

Practical advice on the importance of reviewing your Sums Insured.

Towergate are specialists in the medical, dental and caring markets - what difference does that make to their customers?

Our staff talk to medical, dental and caring professionals all day, every day. They are familiar with their needs and discuss insurance in practical terms they understand.

We have dedicated customer service teams with responsibility for individual customers. So, over time we get to know many of them very well indeed; customers like that.

Towergate offers a proactive service

Keeping your details updated is very valuable advice. For instance, at renewal time we speak to customers to update their details and take account of any changes that have occurred since their last review - like purchases of new equipment. That way we minimise the gaps that could create problems during a claim.

What is the possible impact on a business that doesn’t review their Sums Insured properly?

Fortunately the majority of claims handled by MIA are straightforward: medium to low value cases like property damage caused by escapes of water, minor thefts and glass breakages, which cause disruption - but won't seriously hurt the business.

However, if your Sums Insured cover isn't adequate for your needs and you make a substantial claim, you could get a nasty surprise. Without proper advice, your business may not be protected or ready to survive a major loss through a fire or flood.

What advice do you have for customers who may be concerned?

Average example:
Insurance Policy
Actual Property Value £100,000
Sums Insured value £50,000
Under insurance 50%
Fire Claim
Claim £100,000
Sums Insured Value £50,000
Under insurance 50%
Claim settlement @ 50% of maximum Sums Insured £25,000
Shortfall £75,000

Many customers may be unaware how the insurance principle of 'average' works and how it affects the value of a future claim. To illustrate the potential risk, take a practice which is insured for £50k. The property is actually worth £100k, so the practice is 50% under-insured.

The practice subsequently suffers a total loss in a fire and claims for £100k to reinstate the business. Their insurance company would only be able to pay 50% of the £50k Sums Insured. The business would be left to find the extra £75k itself.

This is the type of costly mistake that Towergate MIA helps customers avoid through our approach to customer service and risk management. The best thing customers can do is make sure they address the issue now - don't leave it to do tomorrow. We’re happy to help anyone who needs advice.