The British Woodworking Federation Group

BWF partner helps Joinery Business find Comprehensive Business Insurance

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Posted By
gemmaprice
17/11/2021

British Woodworking Federation (BWF) member, AA Taylor, tells us how PIB Insurance Brokers – a BWF professional services partner – was able to find a specialist insurer in the woodworking and joinery sector, providing the specific cover the firm needed.

In 2020, joinery business AA Taylor Ltd was faced with a number of fresh challenges brought about through a combination of the pandemic and Brexit. Responding to these challenges as well as other factors, the insurance industry changed the way that it viewed risk in the sector, which has made it more difficult for some companies to find the right cover.

The third-generation family business, now run by Andy & Sue Taylor, is Brighton’s longest-established provider of joinery services and manufacturer of timber products, with customers spanning builders, architects, homeowners and the retail market.

Here Sue Taylor shares how her firm faced challenges finding the right insurance company and how BWF partner, PIB Insurance Brokers, was able to help.

Challenges facing the industry

During the pandemic, AA Taylor pivoted its offering to meet the expanding shop fitting market, enabling the business to continue to grow and operate during a time when many organisations were unable to.

When Andy & Sue needed to renew the business’s insurance policy, they found that the pandemic and Brexit meant the process took much longer, and it wasn’t as simple as getting a renewal price and confirming there had been no changes since the original policy.

Sue was then told by her broker that their existing insurer had decided to cease offering insurance to the woodworking industry. Sue explained: “The woodworking and joinery industry was being perceived as high-risk due to the type of work and environment we operate in. For example, using machinery, the need for staff training, risk assessments and regular waste removal. Post-pandemic, insurance companies wanted assurances that the risks they were taking in insuring businesses were minimal.”

How were PIB Insurance Brokers able to help?

AA Taylor was able to get advice from PIB Insurance Brokers, a company with significant experience in the woodworking sector that’s used to working with smaller businesses. PIB hold relationships with providers who offer policies for businesses in the sector, and crucially are familiar with the industry specific wording in clauses and contracts to navigate this complex area.

PIB was able to find a policy that covered all the company’s needs.

Sue said of her experience working with PIB: “Our contact at PIB, Marie, knows our business well and recognised the issues we were facing trying to renew our insurance policy. It’s incredibly helpful to work with someone who understands the sector and its challenges. Marie worked exceptionally hard to renew the policy and came up trumps even when she was under pressure.”

The BWF believes it’s vital that its members have access to professional services support and advice, especially at times of uncertainty. AA Taylor has been a BWF member since 2008 and throughout the pandemic the BWF was able to support AA Taylor by providing guidance to help navigate the rapidly changing environment. BWF membership is open to organisations of all sizes and offers services which help its members overcome challenges and support business growth.

PIB Insurance Brokers is a leading insurance broker with access to risk management and employee benefit services. The BWF will continue to build relationships with partners such as PIB to provide our members with exceptional professional services support.

 

For more information on how BWF membership can support your business visit: https://www.bwf.org.uk/membership/

For more information on PIB Insurance Brokers visit: https://www.pib-insurance.com/

 

Posted By
gemmaprice
Member of Construction Products Association
National Specialist Contractors Council
Passive Fire Protection Federation
CITB
The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products