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Showing posts from December, 2012

2012 The Year that was.

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    For our last memo of the year we're looking back at 2012 and the events that made news or meant something to us. Summer 11/12 was one of the mildest on record meaning low claims events around Australia. However as we were still mopping up after 2 years of catastrophes prior to this the impact on rates hit this year. We really should be thankful that nothing of significance occurred during the summer as insurer capacity would have been severely tested. Tropical Cyclone Heidi struck WA but did not cause major damage. Some flooding in Northwest NSW and QLD occurred late Summer which turned out to be the costliest part of the season for insurers   Whilst Australia was spared overseas in march we witnessed the Costa Concordia running aground and the bizarre aftermath with a captain disappearing. many passengers lost their lives and the survivors struggled with compensation through the parent company and also with an unexpected virus that struck them. The Insurance bil

The Christmas party

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    In the last of our Christmas feature memo's for the year we tackle Work Christmas Parties. Yes they are everywhere at the moment and local restaurants and clubs are cashing in while they can. We love it! It's a great chance to relax after a hard year and forget office politics for a night. However these same office politics put on hold can surface during the night........ Just add alcohol.   Alot of today's memo is lifted from an editorial I read in Employsure. It put the words I wanted into perspective so well I left them mostly as is. Whilst the focus is on the traditional boozy affair, we want to make sure you are aware - as employers - that your obligations under relevant workplace safety and employment acts doesn't end, even at a Christmas function. Think about every Christmas party you've been too. Normally it results in at least one member of staff becoming the brunt of all jokes over the coming year. Office romances are not uncommon either.

Christmas! The Burglars Nirvana!

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Only 2 weeks till Christmas! Are you ready! From the volume of work that has come our way in the past weeks I would say..... not yet. As per last weeks memo we are focusing on some Christmas tips to help you protect your family and yourself this season. Last week we looked at your boat and why you should have it covered all year round and some of the additional benefits to be aware of. Today the focus is on your home. As you stock up on gifts and take advantage of the sales through Summer, it isn't difficult to figure out why the Christmas Holidays is one of the peak times for Home break in's. Traditionally there is a spike in incidents of domestic burglary through December and January as organised groups target well stocked residential properties. Homes are regularly left unattended for extended periods due to social events, extended holidays, even shopping trips. We also tend to relax more and with the weather being warmer we leave windows open or some form of opening

On the third day of Christmas......

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It's the 3rd day of Christmas! A crazy time of year in our industry as clients look to shore cover up prior to going away or check that cover is correct on certain personal items. For us it's the storm before the calm. In about a week or so the craziness will end and we can start to relax and enjoy family time. With Christmas now so close our next couple of memo's will focus on getting yourself ready for Christmas. It's such a hectic time of year and it's easy to overlook some things to help protect your family and belongings. Keeping it simple this week and focusing on the one item that we insure more than anything else at this time of year...... Boats! It's amazing how many people let their boat insurance lapse throughout the year and then magically dust it off in the garage and prepare it for the holiday season. I think I only have maybe a dozen clients who currently have boat insurance through us and I kid you not all bar 3 are due in November / Dec