In Brief

Farmers can stop HSE fines
Farm insurer Rural Insurance Group warns British farmers they may face heavy fines or prohibition notices if they continue to ignore health and safety regulations which came into force over 14 months ago. According to a survey by Harrogate-based Rural, more than 90% of British farmers have only a vague idea of their responsibilities with regard to health and safety. This knowledge gap has become more glaring since the introduction of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment and Provision and Use of Work Equipment regulations. Rural has teamed up with HSB Haughton Engineering Services to offer farmers an inspection service to help them identify serious risks on their land. The service can be added to Rural's farm insurance on renewal or bought as a stand alone product. Lance Harvey managing director of Rural said: "This makes compliance simpler for farmers and they will not have to worry about being the next name on the Health and Safety Executive's inspection list."

TP backs ABI car scheme
TP Solicitors have endorsed the national car rental replacement vehicle service ABI initiative, approved by the UK Motor Insurance Industry. Specialist third party accident management company LUMACARE manages the initiative and now offers motorists the benefit from a standard service that will act as an industry benchmark. Motorists can now have the replacement car for the duration of the repair or if the car is a write off up to one week after the settlement cheque has been posted. Hire charges are funded by National on a credit basis until the liable insurer admits liability.

Change to Bupa income cover
The UK's largest independent healthcare company BUPA has changed its income protection and critical illness schemes to meet the ABI's standards of best practice. The income protection scheme has been renamed Lifestyle and Income Protection and will offer consumers guaranteed subscription rates. Consumers will be able to enjoy the benefits of a fixed insurance rate, that will not increase until retirement. Members will also be able to increase their benefit level within certain limits, without further underwriting as their salary or income rises. Sue Wilkinson, national sales manager for BUPA, said: "It does not just protect a person's salary but can also protect the livelihood of people without income such as home-makers looking after children."

Preferential travel advice
Travel insurer Preferential is planning to launch an extranet site giving travel agents tips for selling insurance, resort and flight advice with links to the Foreign Office's website. The company's annual questionnaire will establish their technological requirements.