UK small businesses offered Christmas security advice
Commercial insurance
4th December 2009
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) operating in the UK are advised by Giles Insurance Brokers Ltd to take additional precautions over the festive period, particularly when leaving premises unattended.
Many companies close during the period between Christmas Eve and the New Year and this decision can offer an attractive proposition to thieves and vandals. In order to ensure a peaceful festive break, Giles Insurance recommends that business owners check their policies carefully and put safeguards such as alarm systems and sprinklers in place to guard against crime.
Businesses that are not fully covered for all possible incidents occurring while they are unoccupied could face steep costs to replace stolen or damaged premises and equipment, particularly if they have invested in expensive technology or have higher stock levels than usual because of rising demand at this time of year.
Recent data released by Axa indicated that Halifax is the worst city in Britain for overall business crime, with one in 16 enterprises affected, while incidents of theft are highest in Wolverhampton. According to the Business Crime Index, problems are worsening in certain areas of the country - such as the West Midlands and the north of England - as a result of the recession, emphasising the need for comprehensive cover for companies.
Howard Pearson, managing director (retail) of Giles Insurance, stated: "Businesses can be at particular risk when they are shut down or unoccupied over the Christmas and New Year period. With a growing number of firms investing in state-of-the-art IT and technology solutions to enhance their operations, the risk from burglary or vandalism is greater still.
"Burglary rates are forecast to rise as a result of the recession and small firms are finding access to finance restricted by the credit crunch, meaning that it can be hard to cover additional costs if cover is not secured."
Companies concerned about issues such as Christmas parties, drunken behaviour by customers towards staff and increased food preparation over the festive period can purchase additional liability cover and other policies to protect themselves.
Last year, Norwich Union warned that seasonal catering can increase the risk of fire, with nearly one in four out of 24,000 accidental incidents occurring in commercial properties each year linked to problems with cooking and extraction systems. Firms should be certain that they are insured against such events and check devices carefully ahead of the peak season.
Another potential threat to premises during the winter is the weather, with recent flooding in Lancashire, Cumbria, the north-east and Scotland highlighting the importance of cover against disruption and damage caused by water. Firms closing down for Christmas should also check water pipes carefully and take evasive action to prevent them from freezing and cracking if frosts set in, which can result in thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Giles is one of the leading independent insurance brokers in the UK and, as such, can offer its clients access to some of the country's largest insurers, providing businesses with all the cover they require to ensure the continuity of their operations in the event of burglary, vandalism, fire, flooding or incidents of any kind.
