A Loughborough company with 50 staff that makes retail displays and shopfitting equipment

Company name: Sefton Display

Address: Pinfold Gate, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1BE

Phone number: 01509 822777

Email:
pnorgate@sefton-display.co.uk

Website: www.sefton-display.co.uk

What does Sefton Display do? Point of sale display and shop fitting manufacturer

Turnover in last financial year: £2.75m

Number of staff: 50

Who makes the decisions? Managing director Phil Norgate is in charge of insurance and risk managment. Health and safety administrator Zoe Booth helps him.

Wholesale broker: Towergate Stafford Knight Business placed in Lloyd's. Norgate does not know the name of the insurer.

Retail broker: Eastlake & Beachell in Leicester

How were these partners chosen? They're the ones we've always used and they've always offered a good service. To be honest, a bit of it is laziness. This renewal period we'll be looking around for the first time, to see if anyone else can get us a better deal.

Types of insurance purchased: Traders combined, engineering, group accident, group medical, legal expenses and motor fleet

What have your experiences been of insurance over the past year?
Norgate: "I've seen dramatic increases, especially employers' liability and motor insurance. Over the past year we've spent thousands on training, and health and safety, we've brought in a risk consultant for a lot of money to help us with this, we've really got up to speed.

"We've had an EL claim every year, but 80% of them have been repudiated because the evidence has been on our side, One employee I was about to give a warning to, said he'd slipped on some wet cardboard, but no one saw it happen. He's been off work for three years.

"My EL premium went from £3,500 to £90,000 last year and my motor cover went from £5,500 to £12,000.

"I appreciate the insurance companies have had a bad time but they haven't got their act together and sorted the good risks from the bad.

"They haven't sent anyone to look at our practices or speak to us, to actually see how we work, they just pluck a figure out of the air.

"We're a good risk but when our renewal comes up in two months, I expect to see another six-figure increase."

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