Protecting a wide range of rural businesses
It is not just farming businesses that are susceptible to a mishap or mismanagement in the running of their business. Whatever the industry, even in the best-run businesses, costly mistakes can occur, and simply trying to prove that the company has done nothing wrong can cost a lot of time and money.
Ensuring a business has the right legal protection is essential when there is the potential for allegations of wrongdoing. Protecting the finances of directors and employees should be at the forefront of a business’s insurance needs; what would they do should a wrongful act claim be brought against them, who would they turn to, and how would they fund the defence for the claim?
This is where Rural Protect comes into play. Rural Protect is a specialist Management Liability insurance aimed to help rural business owners, and is available to limited companies, partnerships, and sole traders working in a variety of trades. Find out more about Rural Protect here.
As the name implies, Rural Protect protects rurally connected businesses, including:
- Auctioneers and marts
- Dealerships
- Engineers
- Hauliers
- Shows
- Contractors
- Abattoirs
- Agronomists
- Biomass energy producers
- Natural energy suppliers
- Butchers
- Caravan storage
- Garden centres
- Equine-related businesses
- Freelance instructors
- Groundwork contractors
- Plant operators
- Land and property owners
- Estates
- Polo clubs
- Tree surgeons
- Vineyards
This list is by no means exhaustive but it gives you an idea of the various types of businesses that Rural Protect can provide support for.
As part of Rural Protect, clients have access to rradar, a specialist litigation and commercial law firm that uses legal expertise and digital tools to educate, manage and advise on ways rural businesses can reduce their legal risks and ensure responsibilities and standards are met.
The businesses listed above are all susceptible to being exposed to the following risks, which rradar can help with:
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Unfair dismissal
- Wrongful termination
- Unfair competition
- Copyright issues
- Mismanagement – operationally or financially
- Regulatory investigations
- Bankruptcy/insolvency
There is a wide range of people who interact with businesses and for various purposes, such as health and safety inspections, complying with regulations, and internal business affairs. So, a failure of duty committed by even one staff member can be costly without adequate insurance in place to help defend the company or a person within it. Here are some common third parties that Rural Protect helps to defend claims against:
- Regulators
- Creditors
- Tenants
- Competitors
- Employees
A Rural Protect Management Liability policy should really be considered by rural businesses as part of their insurance portfolio, no matter the size, complexity or structure of the company, it can provide invaluable cover.
Assistance for brokers
Remember, if your client falls within the rural sector and our wide range of accepted trades, ensure they know about Rural Protect and the benefits it can bring.
If you want to know more about Rural Protect or would like to talk to us about how we can help you help your rural clients, please contact us on 01653 609090 or at enquiries@hbunderwriting.co.uk.
Why not take a look at our helpful resources to back up your Rural Protect discussion? Visit our Rural Protect Resource Hub here or get in touch if you don’t have login details already.
