Modern risk management has, for most people at least, meant that leaving the house keys underneath a flowerpot by the front door is a thing of the past.

Not so for a major commercial outfit in London, however. Backchat was strolling in to work just after 9 am last week when he saw an employee of a major menswear chain glance around furtively in front of the locked shop door.

The chap then reached down into a large flower pot by the door and pulled out the key, promptly unlocking the shop and opening up for the public. Backchat is sure it was a one-off as he went back another evening and checked the flower pot himself but could find no keys. But Backchat wondered what the shop's insurer would have said had it received a claim that burglars had opened the front door with the key.


The 2025 Insurance Times Awards took place on the evening of Wednesday 3rd December in the iconic Great Room of London’s Grosvenor House.

Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
Many congratulations to all the worthy winners and as always, huge thanks to our sponsors for their support and our judges for their expertise.

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