Location: UK

For the UK as a whole, the last six months have been the driest in 20 years and it was the warmest month of March ever in the southeast.  This is reflected in Met Office Rainfall and Evaporation Calculation System (MORECS) data, which measures soil moisture content, where currently – even after last week’s spell of wet weather – the conditions are very similar to those recorded in previous subsidence event years – specifically 1997, 2005 and 2006.

These very dry ground conditions at the start of the year are a clear indication that we could see an increase in subsidence claims in the months ahead, particularly if we have a dry summer.  Early* predictions from The Met Office is that high pressure is likely to dominate the UK in early June, which would bring largely warmer, drier weather for most, but it’s the rainfall and temperatures in July, August and September that will be critical.

Kevin Williams, Head of Subsidence, Cunningham Lindsey, said:  “Looking at previous subsidence event years, a dry winter and spring has consistently been the key factor, as the weather patterns that followed were invariably mixed.

“Basically, if it continues to be warm and dry into the summer, then it won’t be long before we begin to see an upturn in subsidence claims.  If it turns cold and wet – all bets are off.  At this moment in time, subsidence claim numbers could go either way, but we have a robust plan in place to cope with any potential increase and we’ll continue to monitor the weather forecasts carefully over the coming months.”

Book your free 1:1 business interruption clinic with our FAS global senior manager and forensic accountant Nick Longson. Nick will be on our stand, B48, at the BIBA conference and exhibition on Thursday 11 May.

Establishing an accurate gross profit sum insured is essential to the correct operating of a client’s cover. Miscalculating gross profit has increasingly led to brokers facing costly negligence claims with market reputational issues.

• Do you want to better identify factors to consider in calculating gross profit and, in turn better identify where prospects have a defective gross profit sum?
• Are you seeking clarity on the extent of cover and maximum indemnity period you need to cover the longterm consequences of damage eg the loss of a major client?
• Do you want to improve your understanding of the spectrum of ancillary risks for which your clients can obtain extensions under their policy?

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of the above questions OR you want an expert sounding board for a problem claim you can outline then you need to book your free 1:1 business interruption surgery with our FAS Global senior manager and forensic accountant, Nick Longson.

Please contact Nathalie Crystal to book your slot. All slots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Nathalie Crystal – 07788 386504 or [email protected]

Click here for full details.

Book your free 1:1 cyber clinic with our expert practitioner Dr Mark Hawksworth at stand B48 on Wednesday 10 May.

Cyber attacks in the UK doubled last year and cyber crime is rarely far from the headlines these days. The number of incidents is on the increase and perpetrators are indiscriminate as to the type or size of companies they target.

• Are you responsible or involved in arranging cyber insurance cover for your clients?
• Would you like to recondition your understanding of the cyber marketplace and the issues at stake?
• Do you want to know what’s around the corner and how it could affect you and your clients?

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of the above questions and you’re attending the BIBA conference and exhibition this year, then you need to book your free 1:1 cyber surgery with our Global Technology Specialist Practice Group Leader, Dr Mark Hawksworth.

Please contact Nathalie Crystal to book your slot. All slots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Nathalie Crystal – 07788 386504 or [email protected]

Click here for more information.

Client Bulletin – Storm Doris – ‘a weather bomb’ to hit on Thursday

Storm and severe gales
The BBC describes the approaching Storm Doris as an ‘explosively deepening low – what meteorologists call a ‘weather bomb.’

However, there seems to be some uncertainty as to the strength of the system and there’s a variety of views – from different weather forecast models – around the specific areas of the UK that are likely to be worst hit.

WeatherNet weather warning
WeatherNet has issued a weather warning for Thursday. Storm and severe gales are expected for Wales, Northern Ireland, Southern Scotland and many areas of England, particularly the Midlands,  Northern England and East Anglia.

The strongest winds are expected to hit the UK from early Thursday morning, until around lunchtime, when gusts of 70 to 80 mph are possible.  The strongest gusts are forecast to be short lived and damage to property is expected to be limited.

Heavy rain and snow
Heavy rain is forecast across many areas of southern Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England.
Rain may fall as snow, in the region of 5-15cm in places.

HelpLine
We’re increasing the customer support team for our 24-hour emergency HelpLine – from tonight, through to tomorrow evening.  We’ll be ready to help customers if Storm Doris should cause significant property damage.

Claims Centres, Invisio & Loss Adjusting Teams
Our Invisio team and technical claims handling staff are on standby and they’re ready to provide a fast response to customers who might be impacted by the forthcoming storm.

Our loss adjusting field force and Sergon surveyors are also on standby across the UK regions.  They’ll be available to support customers needing emergency visits.

Next Update
A further update will be issued if Storm Doris should result in a significant claims event.

Contact
Mark Baird Client Relationship Director M+44 7880 780150 E [email protected]

The news channels are reporting that strong winds, combined with the high tides, could cause powerful tidal surges along much of the East Coast of the UK today, and particularly during this evening’s high tide.

Latest predictions show that the timing of the strongest winds is unlikely to coincide with the high tides in each coastal area, which means that the risk of tidal flooding is not as severe as originally predicted.

As a precaution, residents are being evacuated from their homes in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea, as well as other areas in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Essex and Suffolk – including Lowestoft seafront and docks, the north bank of Lake Lothing, Oulton Broad near Mutford Lock, Snape, Iken and Southwold.

Environment Agency Warnings
The Environment Agency currently has 11 severe flood warnings in place, which has fallen from yesterday.  There are also 88 flood warnings in place, as well as 78 flood alerts – particularly along the east coast, reaching from the borders of Scotland, right down to the sea front at Southend.

The Environment Agency warns that at around midday today, we could see flooding in Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey Quay, Felixstowe Ferry Hamlet and the Deben Marshes, isolated riverside properties on the Deben estuary, and tidal Orwell at Ipswich quay.

Environment Agency teams have also moved temporary barriers and water pumps to depots and towns including Newcastle upon Tyne, Blythe, Great Yarmouth, Chelmsford, Rye, and Trusthorpe and South Ferriby in Lincolnshire. The Hull tidal barrier was operated last night and all east coast floodgates were closed.

Met Office Warnings  
The Met Office has also issued severe weather warnings for strong winds, snow and ice across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  This is caused by a polar air mass coming in from northern Canada.

HelpLine
We’re increasing the customer support team manning our 24-hour emergency HelpLine – from later today and right through the weekend.  We will be ready to help customers if we should see a major flooding incident.

Claims Centres & Loss Adjusting Teams
We have technical claims handling staff on standby and they’re ready to work late into the evening today and over the weekend, as required.

Our loss adjusting field force and Sergon surveyors are also on standby.  They will be available to support customers requiring emergency visits, across all areas that are currently at risk – through our regional network, with our Ipswich office on high alert for this afternoon.

Next Update  Currently, the potential for tidal flooding is being downgraded, but we continue to monitor the situation carefully and remain ready to respond.

A further update will be issued if this latest bout of bad weather should turn into a serious flood event.

The current forecast from WeatherNet is for strong winds accompanied by rain, which is due to hit the UK during the early hours of Christmas Day.

It’s anticipated that Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northwest England will be worst affected, where there could be low levels of property damage particularly in exposed areas.

Flood Warnings

As at 17:00 yesterday, there were no flood warnings in place across the UK, so the rivers and waterways should be able to cope with the predicted levels of rainfall over the Christmas period.

HelpLine

We’re prepared to respond to any situation that might build over the festivities.  To cope with a potential increase in incoming calls from customers in need of help and support, we’ve tentatively increased staffing levels for our out-of-hours emergency HelpLine service.  Currently, we’re planning to double the capacity for this resource from Christmas Eve, all day on Christmas Day and through into Boxing Day.

Claims Centres, Invisio & Adjusting Teams

The current forecast doesn’t indicate that this will be a large-scale event, however, we’ll continue to monitor the situation.  We have teams of support staff on standby and our network of branch offices will be fully operational, if the situation should require.

We also have contingency plans to provide additional support for emergency visits over the Christmas and New Year period – this applies to both our Invisio inspection and traditional loss adjusting services.

Next Update 

We’ll issue a further bulletin if it looks as though this next storm is threatening to build into a potentially bigger event.

For more information:

Mark Baird Client Relationship Director M+44 7880 780150 E [email protected]