Dangerous Hedge Incident.

Ok so as you must surely know by now that I like the odd joke. The odder the better in fact. However on this occasion the joke was on me!

This incident happened exactly as described and I have not exaggerated the events in any way at all. Also please rest assured that no animals were hurt during this incident although my pride was irreversibly damaged.

After work one day, I went to assist my wife at a weekly BBQ she and her family organise at their Holiday Park Business. My responsibilities are restricted to general cleaning duties for which I am rewarded with a cheeky burger. Fair is fair. I am hoping to work my way up to Sous Chef but we'll see how that goes.

I'm stood having a chat when I make a small step backwards only to hear a little yelp from behind me. I turn to see a small Yorkshire Terrier behind me looking up at my face with a look of incredulity. Oh blimey I think I may have stood on Molly. Luckily I hadn't and poor Molly was just warning me in case I thought about it.

Feeling guilty I lean down at arms length to pick her up and comfort her like any self-respecting dog lover would. Unfortunately at this point Molly has other ideas and moves a little further away. Now at full stretch I scoop the dog in to my arms. As I go to stand, my shoes, which are completely void of any tread, begin to slip and slide on the greasy grass. I'm hurtling at some speed towards the 8 foot high privet hedge. I can neither stand or fall and continue at some speed towards the hedge clutching a small slightly unsure Yorkshire Terrier.

At this point I should point out that most (if not all) of the people attending the BBQ, including my wife and her family are watching intently as things continue to unfold.

I am completely unstoppable as I approach the hedge but I have the presence of mind to swing the little dog to my side but as I have no free hands to break my fall I go head long into the hedge up to my waist still clutching the dog which I had saved a similar fate as me.

I am only stopped by the hedge and can hear people laughing including / mainly my Wife. I pull myself from the hedge covered in all manner of leaves and twigs clutching the Terrier now in somewhat of a daze. I hand the dog back to her owner with my tail between my legs. The wife brushed me down through the torrent of tears that were running down her face. To be fair she did ask after my welfare as I had a small cut on my face, only to then dissolve into tears which pretty much continued through to the breakfast table in the morning.

Luckily I can look back at the whole episode with a smile on my face. The family still ridicule me though (more than usual) as I am the Insurance Broker for the site and they like to point out that I obviously had not carried out a good risk assessment on the slip / hedge / terrier risk.

You never know when you are going to look like an idiot do you.     

Don't be stupid!!!

Good morning all, it's been a little while since my last blog but here's a little something for you to think about.

Insurance policies are built on information received from clients and the accuracy of that information is crucial to if you are going to get paid out should you have a claim.

All seems fairly sensible doesn't it!

However there are very few days that go by without a client trying to get around the details that are required or lie to achieve a reduced premium with us here.

e.g. Do you live permanently in your house, "I can do". "I pass it everyday and am working on it". Sorry that would still be unoccupied and the cost is a little higher to reflect that but you will be able to get a full normal household package when you move in. " Just say I live there".

This merry-go-round goes on in all types of Insurance as people try to get round the cost and cover, but they don't seem to understand that the Insurance Policy is not worth having unless it is accurate and Insurers are at liberty to not pay out if they decide so and pursue fraudulent claims.

So, what is the point don't lie , twist or manipulate the system you will get caught out.

Also how many people do there Insurance on line and lie to get better premiums or withhold details, many I suspect but beware Insurers are becoming more and more clever and you will get caught out and that could prove to be very expensive.

Philip Beckett
The Insurance Centre Limited.
01603 400755

The Gardening Broker

Good afternoon all, trust you all had a lovely weekend. After a hectic couple of days myself as I sat in the lounge last night I reflected on one or two crazy things I had done over the past two days without giving it a moments thought.

I am not one of life's great DIY experts or gardeners, I love a tidy house and garden but am not a great exponent of any of these disciplines. However I do give it a go and on most occasions make a good fist of it.

On Saturday and Sunday the garden hedges needed a good tidy this would involve me getting out the electric trimmer and going round the garden cutting and tidying. The hedges and bushes go up to a height of about 12 feet and I would need the ladder my father had kindly given to me along with the use of his trimmer.

As I climbed the ladder, which I had done on several occasions, I thought that this does not seem overly safe, the ladder was not anchored to the ground very well and at the top the hedge didn't represent a good place to put the top of the ladder, which became apparent as I reached the top and the ladder lurched left sending my face into the very prickly bush.

You must remember that as this was happening I was brandishing my electric trimmer cutting away at branches and leaves close to my legs and head.

There are couple of points here, don't take chances doing this work without someone to help and get Insurance in place for any Accident that may occur as you could be off work for many weeks or do yourself permanent injury and how would you or your family cope financially. We have such policies available so call and ask me.

P.S This blog was tricky to type with the loss of 6 fingers - Only a joke not really, but you see what I mean.

Philip Beckett Dip CII Cert PFS
The Insurance Centre Limited.
01603 400755

A gentle stroll.

Good morning all, last night was a little unusual with regards to seeing things, I got home and my better half and I thought it would be nice to take advantage of the evening sunshine and get out on the bikes.

We had a lovely ham salad, fruit and yoghurt and got out the mean machines. As usual my backside took a little while to acclimatise to the seat but it soon got more comfortable and we were away.

Out of the village and onto the next through the countryside admiring the lovely views heading towards our Pub stop. As always it amazes me that whatever direction you go the wind is in your face and as each incline arrives you begin to wonder why you thought it would be relaxing to come out on the bikes, however we arrive in Scratby and head towards the beach front to look at the fantastic views of the beach and the sea.

As we turn onto the cliff top my eye is taken by a couple walking along on top of the cliff holding a lead, nothing unusual about that I hear you say. Being the owner of a Yorkshire Terrier myself I thought bloody hell that's a small dog, but it wasn't a dog at all. It was a HEDGEHOG. Yes a hedgehog on a lead, out for a walk. As I and my partner swerved on our bikes through both laughter and disbelief we almost came a cropper ourselves.

We regained our composure and completed our journey but I have never seen a hedgehog out for a walk but I have seen a ferret out on a lead. I would be interested to hear of other strange things other people have seen out for a walk other than humans.

 

 

 

Philip Beckett

The Insurance Centre Limited.
01603 400755

UPDATE:

Done a little research in to this and it seems as though the hedgehog are a fairly popular pet. In the United States the African Pygmy Hedgehog was (if only for a very brief time) the celebrity pet of choice .
 

 

Protect your Tools - Ooooh errrrrrr misses

Good afternoon all, how would you manage you Trades folk if you lost your Tools well we now have a solution for you, you can cover them for a reasonably small amount. Details of the cover is below so have a read. Premiums start at £40.00 to cover up to £1,000 of tools. We simply need to clarify a couple of points get your vehicle details then get you on cover. Have a read see what you think.

 

Tools Protect

What is Tools Protect?

Trades people rely on their tools to carry on their business. All too frequently, insurance for tools when in vehicles contains restrictions where the policy will only pay claims when vehicles are locked in a garage or secure compound. Trades people require cover when their vehicle is parked and locked on their drive, outside their house, or on site at customer premises.

Tools protect provides a tools in van insurance policy that protects the insured from having to find the money to replace tools should they find themselves in the unfortunate position that they are unable to work, due to the theft of tools from their van or the tools are damaged as a result of an accident involving the van.

By taking out tools in van insurance cover the insured will be safe in the knowledge that the

cost of replacing tools need not to be at their expense.

SIGNIFICANT FEATURES & BENEFITS

Cover:

• Up to £1,000, £2,500 or £5,000 (subject to premium paid) in the event that property belonging to you or for which you are responsible is lost, destroyed or damaged whilst being loaded upon, carried by,  temporarily housed upon or being unloaded from your vehicle.
• Cover extends to such incidents occurring in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• Claims line – A 24/7 claims service

 

The policy does not cover:

• Sheets, ropes, packing materials, securing chains or toggles, property warehoused for a rental or under contract for storage or distribution, money, securities, jewellery, watches, furs, cameras, radios, televisions, record players, cassette players or video or electrical equipment.
• Goods carried for hire or reward.
• Damage caused by inadequate packing.

Philip Beckett

The Insurance Centre Limited.

01603 400755

Diary 19/07/2013

Good morning all, well what a very busy few days it's been hence my lack of blog but I am squeezing in a little offering for you today.

As I finished work last night and got off home I was looking forward to getting out of my work gear and into something a little more comfortable, getting my dinner down me and taking my Yorkshire Terrier Rubylu out for a walk on the beach with the better half.

We got onto the beach and, as usual, was greeted by many other dog walkers and their hounds getting the benefit of the lower temperatures and the fantastic beach on their doorstep.

Now putting on my Insurance hat, I wonder how many of those people Insure their dog? We do obviously, but I have a feeling that many do not risking a huge Vets bill for instance or your dog biting someone and you getting dragged into litigation.

So, if you do not have any cover then get onto our website and get yourself a quote you may be surprised how little it is. Get the pouche covered!

http://www.insurance-centre.com/#/pet-insurance/4532188692

Philip Beckett Dip CII Cert PFS
The Insurance Centre Limited.
01603 400755

Diary 09/07/2013.

Good afternoon all,

I have been a little pushed recently so my blogs have been a little thin on the ground but we are here again. It's the holiday season and I trust you have your Travel Insurance sorted?

My guess is that some of you will but a good majority won't and some will even contemplate going without any. To those people I would say don't be stupid you are risking so much for what can be a very reasonable cost. I find that you need to look at it in terms that for smaller incidents it is not particularly useful but for major incidents such as a medical emergency it is vital that you have cover. Think of the cost to you of your medical care or to fly you home without that cover in place.

It could wipe you out financially.

Another important thing when sorting out your cover is to be completely honest regards to any current illnesses or treatment you may be having or waiting to have. Most of the Insurers have a Medical Helpline so can run the details past them to make sure you know where the cover is in relation to your condition.

If you need a hand just call us here we can go through the details with you and in the majority of cases get you the cover you need.

Call us 01603 400755 Philip.

Philip Beckett Dip CII Cert PFS

The Insurance Centre Limited.

01603 400755