Category: guides

Our team of underwriters are committed to finding the right solution for your business. From employers’ and product liability to commercial legal expenses, we specialise in mitigating business risk.

Working with our partners at Commercial Express and SP Insurance Services, Irwell provides specialist liability insurance for businesses involved in the installation and maintenance of sprinkler protection systems and contractors within the fire protection industry including:

• Active Fire Protection Contractors who detect and alert, stop or contain a fire. 

• Passive Fire Protection Contractors who prevent the spread of fire throughout a building. 

• Sprinkler and Fire Suppression Engineers that install and maintain fire suppression and sprinkler systems designed to detect and extinguish fires in the early stages and to prevent fire growth and spread.

Of the 22,000 workplace fires recorded every year on average, 25% are caused by faulty or misused electrical equipment.

But it’s not just buildings and people that are affected by fires in the workplace. The stress and financial implications for a business can also be profound.

According to UK Government figures, the average cost of a fire to businesses is around £78,000. That’s before preventative costs or damages incurred through punitive actions following the blaze are accounted for.

If there is a fire on your premises and you are found non-compliant with The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005, there is no maximum legal recompense or compensatory damages cost, and you could even find yourself with a custodial sentence.

Running a business or managing commercial and residential properties can come with many unforeseen legal risks. From an employee dismissal or injury to tenant disputes, data breaches or property damage.
Legal disputes can arise when you least expect it – from a supplier or contractor, an ex-employee or tenant and even HMRC. Whatever the cause and however big or small the dispute, the costs involved in defending or pursuing legal issues can soon escalate.

With over 30 years’ experience, Irwell’s Legal Expenses cover provides the right protection to suit unique business needs.

Our legal expenses insurance policies also include access to a FREE LEGAL HELPLINE provided by our partners at Irwell Law.

Every organisation and every sector face unique business critical risks.

From SMEs and sole traders to larger corporates, we understand the associated risks and rewards of running these businesses. That’s why we are best placed to protect them. 

Liability, legal and health and safety experts at your service 

Working in the hospitality sector can be a rewarding business but working in bars, cafes, restaurants and pubs come with many unique sector risks. Keeping employees and the public safe and ensuring food hygiene standards are met are vitally important. And protecting those Tripadvisor reviews and food hygiene ratings.  

But for many hospitality owners or managers, the first time they find out that they are under-insured or non-compliant with health and safety regulations is when it’s too late – following an accident, a claim or an enforcement visit. 

Working in the hotel and hospitality sector comes with unique risks.

From front desk to back kitchen, protecting employees and customers is of paramount importance. And at the same time protecting those Tripadvisor reviews.

But for many hospitality owners or managers, the first time they find out that they are under-insured or non-compliant with health and safety regulations is when it’s too late – following an accident, a claim or an enforcement visit.

Scaffolding businesses are essential to so many sectors as well as the most obvious construction industry.  From building inspection and civil engineering to window cleaning, painting, TV production and events. 

But working on suspended, aerial or supported scaffolding comes with many unique health and safety risks that can expose employees and the general public to H&S risks on a daily basis.  

That’s why scaffolders need Irwell’s liability insurance that includes a health and safety compliance review tailored to the unique risks of each business.

From car sales and valeting to tyre fitting, repairs and maintenance, the motor sector is exposed to many unique health and safety risks.

Operating mechanical equipment, diagnostics and hydraulics, lifting heavy objects and working under heavy vehicles or fuel spillages and fire hazards can expose employees and customers to H&S risks on a daily basis.

That’s why motor businesses need Irwell’s liability insurance that includes a health and safety compliance review tailored to the unique risks of each business.

The commercial transportation sector is essential to so many industries, including manufacturing, construction and retail. 

But transporting raw materials and finished products to and from facilities, tracking shipments and delivering goods to customers can come with many unique health and safety risks. 

Operating potentially dangerous loading and unloading equipment, driving haulage fleets that can involve long and tiring journeys can expose employees and the general public to H&S risks on a daily basis. 

That’s why logistics businesses need Irwell’s liability insurance that includes a health and safety compliance review tailored to the unique risks of each business.