NHBC, the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK, has announced that Roger Bullivant’s RBeam precast concrete foundation system has been officially welcomed to NHBC Accepts. NHBC Accepts is an all-inclusive, end-to-end service that helps to build confidence in innovative construction and enable innovative products to be fast-tracked for NHBC warranty. As part of the new service, detailed and robust technical reviews of design, manufacture and construction results in provision of a certified usage licence for a bespoke NHBC Accepts logo and website listing. The RBeam is a factory produced reinforced precast concrete foundation system for low-rise developments. The system is used with a range of piled foundation techniques catering for many different soil types and ground conditions including clay heave situations. “Following a thorough approval process we are delighted to welcome Roger Bullivant Limited to NHBC Accepts,” said NHBC’s Innovation Manager, Richard Lankshear. “An NHBC Accepts certificate is a way of demonstrating that innovative products or systems have already been reviewed thus reducing the risk of delays on site. NHBC Accepts will play a critical role in ensuring developers, manufacturers, lenders and consumers have faith and confidence in the quality of new homes built with innovative forms of construction.” Richard Taylor, Bullivant’s Foundation Systems Director, added: “This approval brings customer confidence and improved productivity on site. We also recognise it as an important achievement in the progression of offsite manufacture in the residential market.” Bullivant’s Foundation Systems Technical Manager Nigel Rake said: “Roger Bullivant Limited has been designing, manufacturing, and installing precast foundations for many years. The RBeam system is a category 3 pre-manufactured component under the government’s MMC definition framework and we are very pleased that this has been given a seal of approval for NHBC Accepts. This will provide further assurance in our RBeam system to all our customers and the wider industry.”

Insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm Gallagher has introduced RiskTalk, a voice-operated risk assessment tool for construction businesses – the first of its kind in the UK The app is suitable for phones or tablet devices, and removes the need for construction firms to complete lengthy paperwork and enter data manually when carrying out risk assessments, with users conducting the process through recording voice notes The tool cuts down on the time and effort required by construction businesses to undertake health and safety duties with the average UK firm currently spending the equivalent of 36 days a year completing risk assessments However, despite this time commitment and the associated cost, many UK firms (49%) admit they are concerned they are not carrying out risk assessments thoroughly enough Two thirds of businesses (68%) claim the current manual way of completing risk assessment is complicated, leading to concerns they may not have an adequate defense in the event of an incident Failure to complete comprehensive risk assessments can lead to significant Health and Safety Executive (HSE) penalties for construction firms – with £64 million worth of fines paid by businesses in the sector over the last five years[i] – [i] https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/tables/prosecutions.xlsx Insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm Gallagher has introduced RiskTalk – a user-friendly voice-operated risk assessment app – to help construction businesses cut down on the time and expense of undertaking workplace safety assessments, and benefit from increased reporting reliability.  The health and safety app helps construction businesses perform fast and efficient risk assessments to manage the risks on site to the health, safety and welfare of their employees and visitors to their premises. The app allows users to record observations and report hazards by simply speaking into their phone or a tablet device – removing the need for completing lengthy paperwork. Through a set of prescribed questions, RiskTalk guides users through the process of assessing and identifying risks present in the work environment, and detailing how they will control them. RiskTalk also makes theprocess much easier for managers to review risk assessments. Users can take photos in-app and send recorded voice memos straight to a cloud storage system, with managers able to approve assessments by using a voice sign-off feature.  Reports can be generated via the app avoiding the need for a lengthy data entry process which can then be converted to PDF files if hard copies are required. In-built speech recognition technology can understand and process recordings in 220 languages to ensure it is accessible for a wide range of users. All entries are time, date and author stamped – making it easy in the case of a health and safety-related incident to locate risk assessments to prove they were completed in full prior to the event occurring. The app works offline – allowing users to conduct risk assessments and store data while working in areas with limited or no network coverage. Undertaking risk assessments is a significant time commitment for businesses and research commissioned by Gallagher, conducted last month among 200 UK firms, found that one in two companies (49%) are concerned they are not carrying out risk assessments thoroughly enough to protect their organisation, employees and clients – potentially leaving them without a strong defence in the event of legal actions, insurance claims and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforcement action. Cost was highlighted as another frustration among businesses regarding the completion of risk assessments. Over two fifths of firms (45%) feel that completing risk assessments is an expensive process – costing their business an average of £1,500 a year. This could be due to paying wages for employees undertaking assessments or for contractors who need to be paid to do them. Neil Hodgson, Managing Director of Risk Management at Gallagher, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing this innovative risk assessment tool to UK construction businesses. It is easy to use, makes the process of undertaking risk assessments quicker and more reliable, and firms within the sector will benefit from increased peace of mind that in the event of an incident they are more likely to have a robust defence. “This is particularly important when you take into account that half of UK firms are unsure whether they are completing the risk assessment process correctly. Evidence of risk assessments carried out and the steps taken to mitigate any identified risks can be crucial for construction firms in the defence of an insurance claim for personal injury or illness, or intervention by the HSE or other regulatory authority. Penalties can be severe – with the average fine paid by construction businesses across the past five years costing £86,000.” For further information, visit https://www.ajg.com/uk/risktalk/

Are you embarking on a construction project? Then, as the builder, you could be liable for the construction risks that come with it. Depending on the contract, your liability can be from day one, right up to the time you hand over the finished building to your client. It’s crucial that you understand the risks involved in construction projects.  A few risks to consider when starting new construction projects will be discussed below. 1. Property Damage Building property is a risky business. From the moment you start a construction project, you’re liable until you hand over the keys to the building. Liability can come in different forms, like dumping concrete where it’s not supposed to be or accidentally reversing your construction vehicle into someone’s car. Before you begin a construction project, you have to consider different risks and come up with ways of avoiding the liabilities.  One way to avoid the risk of property damage is to make sure that your building site is clearly marked and demarcated. Also, ensuring that all safety precautions have been taken care of might save you from liabilities associated with property damage. Taking a Builder’s Risk insurance policy could also help you mitigate the financial consequences of property damage.  2. Worker Injuries Like in most other workplaces, construction isn’t spared from the risk of worker injuries. Working with power tools could actually increase such risks. The construction industry is also exposed to hazardous materials and situations that could harm construction workers. These include working with blocks of cement and adhesives as well as working at dangerous heights or trenches. To avoid worker injuries, you have to ensure that your construction site is safe by observing all safety protocols. This includes proper signage and markings, as well as proper lighting where it’s necessary. Helmets and other safety gear are also something worth considering to avoid worker injuries. 3. Labor Violations While it may seem obvious that working hours should be observed, sometimes it’s easier said than done. You have to make sure that you’re up-to-date with any possible laws and regulations governing labor issues. Violating labor regulations could get you into trouble with the authorities and quite possibly cost you some money. To avoid labor violations, you have to do things by the book. Pay your workers on time, and keep a good record of their working hours all the time. All agreements have to be on paper and explicitly spelled out. An open communication channel between you and your workers is also vital to avoid any possible conflicts and misunderstandings. 4. Bad Contractors The construction industry is one of the sectors which has a high movement of contract workers. There’s a high risk of hiring bad contractors if you don’t do the due diligence of checking their references. Employing inexperienced contractors could cost you time and money. If a job isn’t properly done, you could be liable and would need to fix the damage. Above all, you might mess up your reputation. Bad contractors can be an enormous liability. To avoid working with bad contractors, always make sure you do background checks, assess the work they claim to be good, and assess their mistakes Working with people you’ve worked with before can also reduce the risk of such liability.  5. Contract Violations Contract violations are also a major liability risk. Breaching a contract with either a contractor or your client could expose you to financial liability. Always read your contracts carefully and understand them before you put your signature. Possible areas of conflict could include due dates and deliverables.  To avoid contract violations, always try to deliver on time. Also, communicate constantly with your clients to know if they have a problem. Avoid making verbal agreements and make sure that any agreement has to be in black and white. This way, you can always refer back to the contract if there’s a disagreement.  Conclusion Construction projects can be hard work. They’re usually costly, rigorous, and prone to liability. From the smallest construction project to the biggest, builders aren’t immune to liability. Should you find yourself in a situation that leaves you liable? You’ll need to be prepared to deal with any problems along the way. Insurance companies now offer liability builder’s insurance, which generally covers most of the risks discussed. It’s always better safe than sorry when managing construction projects.

The concept of insurance has been around for millennia, and yet the industry continues to evolve and grow as it responds to changes in society as well as the technological revolutions that shape our modern world. Here is a look at what significant shifts are occurring at the moment, and why consumers and business owners alike should take note. Choice is fuelling competition The rise of online comparison tools has made it easier than ever for customers to weigh up the myriad insurance products that are available to them. In turn this has made the market far more competitive, allowing smaller brands and start-ups to flourish and take on the incumbent, established operators on more of a level playing field. Of course it is also possible for consumers to be overwhelmed by the amount of choice on offer, but according to Policy Scout it is possible to manage your expectations and identify the ideal insurance policy based on your needs and budget. Social media is improving customer service Insurance firms have had a slightly bad reputation when it comes to customer service quality, in part because traditional methods of communication hampered their ability to efficiently handle the sheer volume of correspondence from existing and prospective policy holders. Social media has changed this for the better, not only giving customers a place to find and engage with insurers, but also letting them get a response to queries and complaints in a jiffy. This is not only a short term advantage, but also leads to the building of trust between customer and brand that is especially important in the insurance industry. Data is taking the guesswork out of calculating risk Insurance is all about calculating risk, and the more accurately an insurer can do this, the better its products will be, as well as its profits. Manually crunching the numbers necessary to come up with appropriate cover costs is resource-intensive and time consuming, yet thanks to the rise of big data and machine learning, much of this can be automated as well as massively catalyzed. Furthermore as data becomes the driver for the entire market, fresh and previously overlooked insights will be gleaned, meaning that insurers will be able to spot correlations between different behaviors across varied customer groups, and use this to precisely predict risk without going too far in either direction. Smart devices are increasingly common A lot of the aforementioned data is being generated not just by more general studies and anonymized customer interactions over time, but also through the provision of information relating to a specific policy holder from moment to moment. This has manifested itself in a number of ways, from insurers being able to offer in-car monitoring that helps keep premiums low for young drivers, to companies offering to monitor weather conditions and provide buildings insurance customers with advice about how to prepare for changes to the climate. More than ever, the insurance industry is becoming tech-led, and the rewards stand to benefit everyone involved.

The trucking industry is a necessary and vital part of American life. It is responsible for transporting retail items like food all across the country. Without those huge trucks and the people willing to drive them, there would barely be an economy to speak of. However, as necessary as trucks may be, they can also be extremely dangerous if they get into an accident. That is because the sheer mass of a truck dwarfs that of any other vehicle on the road. One of the more common kinds of truck accident is the jackknife accident and there are a lot of reasons why that kind of accident can happen. But if you are involved in that, or any other kind of truck accident, then you don’t care about the cause, you care more about how you will pay for the various expenses caused by the accident. An experienced injury attorney can help you to get the compensation you need from the trucking company that is responsible for the truck involved in the accident. So contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can after you have been in an accident. What is a Jackknife Accident? This kind of accident occurs when the trailer being  towed by a semi-truck swings around so that it is to the side of the truck rather than behind it. The truck and the trailer end up creating a sort of V-shape, like a partially opened jackknife. This usually happens when either the truck or the trailer loses control. A jackknife incident can be very dangerous because the trailer swinging around could hit multiple cars and since the truck is practically impossible to control when the trailer goes out of control, the truck could end up colliding with other vehicles as well. Basically, a single jackknifing truck could end up being responsible for a multi-vehicle pileup. The Common Causes of a Jackknife Accident A jackknife accident usually occurs when a truck loses control and there can be many different reasons why that could happen. Speeding When a truck is going too fast and needs to stop suddenly, the driver will naturally jam on the brakes. The sudden deceleration can cause the trailer to lose control and swing around. This can lead to a jackknife accident on straight roads but it is far more likely to happen on a curved road since the trailer is already out at a slight angle. That is one of the many reasons why speeding is far more dangerous in a truck than it is in a car. Poor Vehicle Maintenance Every part of a truck and its trailer needs to be properly inspected and maintained on a regular basis. The brakes are especially important because they need to be correctly adjusted so that the vehicle comes to a smooth stop. If the brakes have not been properly adjusted, then the axles on the trailer could lock up before the axles on the rest of the truck. When that happens, the truck will end up dragging the trailer since the latter’s brakes are locked up, which could cause the trailer to swing around and cause a jackknife accident. Underinflated tires, balding tires, and fading brakes can also lead to the truck losing control and causing an accident. Bad Weather If the weather conditions have made the road slick and slippery, then that could increase the chances of a jackknife accident occurring. The truck and trailer could lose traction and that could cause the trailer to swing around towards the truck. All drivers should exhibit extra caution in slippery conditions and that is especially true for truck drivers. Overweight Cargo When a truck is pulling too much weight, it becomes much harder to control and takes a longer time to come to a stop when the brakes are applied. That is bad enough but the weight of the overloaded cargo can also shift around; if the truck is traveling too quickly when that happens, then a jackknife accident could happen when the truck loses control. Contact a Truck Accident Attorney If You Were Involved in a Jackknife Accident A jackknife accident can cause a lot of damage and as you can see, the causes are nearly always related to the driver or the trucking company. That is why you need the help of a truck accident attorney to take on the trucking company and hold them accountable for the accident. Your attorney will help you to get the compensation you need to take care of the expenses caused by the accident, such as repair bills and medical bills. Those expenses are likely to be high because of the potential damage a truck accident can cause. So contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Life is full of uncertainties. Things sometimes don’t always go as planned and if there are no plans on how to manage or tackle those unwanted occurrences, then inevitably, huge losses would be suffered by the parties involved. For these reasons and more, there is such a thing as insurance. What Is Insurance All About? When mishaps and accidents that generally result in damages, be it to the body or to property, occur, the means through which recompense or indemnification is paid to the victim of such an occurrence Is what is known as insurance. The idea is to try to restore the victim of such an occurrence to the status such a person (both legal and natural persons can be in this category) was before the damage or loss was suffered. It is basically a contract given as a policy by an insurer (this might be a company, an individual an underwriter etc.) to another for a small amount with the promise of reimbursement in the event of any loss or damage. You can read more about it here. However, while it is advisable to be covered by one policy or the other, there are those who by virtue of their engagements, business routines and the services they render, are more prone to the occurrence of these contingencies. These contingencies leave them susceptible to many actionable claims which can lead their organizations to bankruptcy and thus incapable of rendering their services. One group of people that such situation can affect a lot are contractors. Contractor’s Liability Insurance This specific policy is primarily targeted towards contractors who have people under their employ or who function on their behalf and who would be held responsible for the acts of their employees. This policy shields them from the financial liability they would have incurred from such occurrences. It is a necessity for them because of the responsibilities that come with their line of work thus, for them, it is required that they have a contractor insurance policy for the following reasons: To Protect them From Claims: This is necessary to protect them from cases of vicarious liability which is the liability of an employer for acts or damages caused by an employee in the course of duty. This principle holds true in law because, as an employer they are responsible for the actions of all that work for them in the course of rendering services. To Protect their Employees: Accidents do happen in work environments that might result in serious injuries to employee(s) who would be rightly entitled to some recompense as a result. Again, some jobs are more accident prone than others thus making it imperative that employers get this policy for their workers. They also benefit from it. To Pay Legal Fees: This policy ensures that the legal fees are paid in the event that there is a claim against the employer in court. Without this policy, an employer will be hit hard by the legal cost of these claims in court and these costs can be crippling for a business. Boosts their Reputation in Commercial Circles: unlike in the past, one of the ways that people evaluate a smart business owner or contractor is from the insurance coverage that the business has. This improves their chances of getting contracts as it tells potential clients that their business is adequately covered and in doing business with them, theirs will be well covered as well. Relaxed Mind: The daily struggle that most contractors have to endure is already a big load on its own. To now add to it thoughts of probable law suits in court or claim(s) to settle can be quite disconcerting. But by getting this policy, an employer frees him or herself of this burden. It Is a Requirement In Some States: In some states, getting this policy is a mandatory requirement in order to carry on your business in that state or city. An example is the state of California. Sites like https://www.contractorbond.org/california-contractors-general-liability-insurance/ will provide more details regarding this. Conclusion There are smart steps that every smart contractor or business owner in this field that wants to thrive should take in order to successfully run their business. One such step is getting a contractor’s liability insurance policy This is important because they are ultimately in the best interest of the business owner or the contractor.

Living in the US, consider yourself extremely lucky if you have never been part of a car accident in your life. According to Statista, there are approximately 273 million registered vehicles along with over 225 million licensed drivers in the United States with an average of nearly 10 million car accidents every year. With over 313,000 miles of public roads the most of any state, Texas alone, has more than 13 million licensed drivers. Further, the car insurance industry estimations say that the average driver will file a claim for a car collision about once every 17.9 years, suggesting that if you got your driving license at the age of 16, the odds are that you are going to experience some kind of car accident by the time you turn 34. The average person has a total of 3-4 accidents over the course of a lifetime.  Photo from Pinterest Being involved in a car accident is a shocking and frustrating experience. Moments after a car crash, adrenaline is rushing and emotions are running high. In order to protect your health and your financial interest as well, it’s of the highest importance to remain calm and to know what further steps to take. After checking everybody involved for injuries, it’s time to take the necessary steps following every regular car crash such as filing an insurance claim. Such a claim is a request made to an insurance company for compensation regarding the traffic accident that happened to you. Car repairs can be quite expensive, so if you are involved in a crash, you’d want to know how to file an auto insurance claim. Therefore to know what to do about the claiming process, we’ve highlighted the key information you may need.  What to do right after the accident? First things first, move your vehicle to a safe location out of traffic. If you can’t move it that’s okay too, just turn off the engine and get out of the vehicle if you can. Even if there is no one seriously injured, you should call the police and report the accident.  Gather the proper set of information and details about the car accident, so when it’s time to file a claim you will have everything written down and pictures you can use as evidence. Don’t place blame on the other driver, you’ll figure everything out later with your insurance company. Take photos of the crash scene, photos of the vehicles involved, drivers involved, license plates and any damage done to the vehicles. Also, exchange information with the other driver including contact and insurance details.  Call the police Call the police! As you will probably be shaken up after an accident, having an officer take down the details of the traffic jam in the police accident report is always the best option. Officially titled “CR3 Peace Officer Report”, such a report is used by law enforcement to record the details relating to your accident involving any type of vehicle. You can also claim your Texas crash report online, which is indeed a very important piece of paper to have in order to file the insurance claim.  Whose insurance do I call after the accident?  In general, in accidents where the at-fault driver accepts responsibility, you probably won’t need to call your insurance company unless you were at-fault. In simple clear liability accidents, the sooner you call your insurance provider – the sooner the provider can help you get things back to normal.  What happens if the other driver doesn’t have an insurance policy?  In general, if you get into a car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance pays for the damages and injuries. Yet, if the other driver is uninsured, things get a little bit more complicated and here’s what you should know.  Driving a car without car insurance for any period of time is considered illegal and that’s why uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is very important. If you get in an accident by a driver with no insurance, your uninsured or underinsured insurance will kick in and help you cover your medical expenses. Also, if you’re at fault, not only you will be paying out of your pocket for any medical expenses or damages to the vehicle, you’ll be responsible for paying the other driver’s injuries and damages. You might even get sued by the other party for the damages you caused them, could be issued a ticket, potentially lose your license and registration and face jail time.  How do I file an insurance claim? Just give a call to your insurance company and they’ll walk you through the process and ask for all relevant information. As soon as your claim is filed, a claim representative will contact you to go over and claim the process to follow. The insurance company will review your claim and work with you to correctly evaluate it. After that, they will assess and try to complete it as quickly as possible.  Photo from Pinterest What relevant documents do I need to have in order to file a claim?  According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, when filing a claim you will need to submit the policy number which can be found on your insurance card; date, time and location of the accident; a detailed description of how the accident occurred; you will have to name the police department involved and the police crash report number and provide insurance and contact information of the other party involved.  This is why it’s very important to collect all relevant information right after the accident and to write down as many details as you can.  What happens with the car insurance claim after an accident? When your claim is filed, your insurer will assign a claims adjuster to examine your case. The adjuster will do a number of things such as reviewing the police crash report; conduct interviews with other parties involved and witnesses; inspect and take photos of your car for damages; review medical records and proof