Insurance Archives

Festival Insurance is designed for anyone organising a festival or an event that is looking for annual insurance cover. Whether you are planning a Festival for a small local community event or something on the larger scale with thousands of visitors then it is likely you are going to need insurance.

Here at Graham Sykes we love working with festival organisers, getting to see the weird and wonderful things you clever bunch are up to really makes our day. We have put together this snippet of top ten tips for sorting out Festival Insurance, so you can ensure you are well on your way to ticking that off of your ‘to do’ list.

1. Start the job early – Your Festival may be a year away; from experience we know that talking about it and getting things in motion will save you stress as your Festival approaches.

2. Share your vision of the Festival with us – We not only love to hear all about your plans, but we also want to ensure all elements of your Festival are covered.

3. Be prepared to answer some questions – When we have a thorough understanding of your needs, we can provide you with a bespoke quotation that suits.

4. Keep your committee up to date – They may think of something you haven’t or have additional questions you may want to ask us.

5. Don’t worry about asking your broker for help – We want to support you and guide you in the right direction, so do not hesitate to ask for help.

6. Check you have got it right – If you are uncertain about something, it is best to ask before you finalise the policy.

7. Examine your quotation carefully (and read the policy wording) – Our quotations are easy to read and show you exactly what you have been quoted for, but if you are unsure about anything, please just shout!

8. Check with your committee before finally agreeing the terms- Making sure your team understands the level of cover you have chosen will make renewal processes simpler (especially if someone else is in charge of insurance the following year).

9. Ask any last questions you may have- Those last minute or ‘quick’ questions you have may prove to be more essential than you thought. So, it’s always best to double check if there is anything you are unsure of. You can call, email or chat to us online and our dedicated Festival team will be happy to help you.

10. Pay your premium and double check your documents carefully – With straight forward payment methods you can have your documents within minutes, then you are ready to go!

Need to know more or totally confused and not sure where to turn? Click here for some more information, call the Graham Sykes Insurance team on 01395 255100 or chat to us on live chat @ www.graham-sykes.co.uk

Has the January blues got you dreaming of Sunnier days? Check out our travel top tips to make your holiday planning a breeze.

Counting down the weeks until your summer holiday? Do not fear, January is nearly over and you will be feeling the sand between your toes in no time.

Whether it’s a family get away, a once in a lifetime cruise or a short city break, make sure you are beach ready with our Travel Top Tips holiday guide.

Write a packing list: It may sound disciplined but writing it down and being able to tick items off will ensure you don’t forget any essentials (or over pack). This will hopefully ensure that you have some room in your suitcase for those ‘Must have’ Souvenirs.

Do your research: Going somewhere new? Then browsing the web to find exciting things to do will help you to make the most of your time away. Using apps such as Pinterest or Instagram will lead you to breath taking new sights and original places to eat and drink.

Get Tech Savvy! What a world we live in, with reservations, boarding passes and tickets accessible via your smart phone – who needs to print? There is no need for folders, binder or paper documents falling out at the check in desk. Saving your documents to your smart phone makes for a smooth transition through the airport. Although, we would recommend printing anything that’s super important such as Visas or Esta (just in case of any technical faults).

Take out that all important travel insurance: It may not be the most exciting part of your holiday planning, but don’t leave it to chance when it comes to your travel insurance. Medical emergency? Flight Cancellation? (we could go on), being uninsured will be sure to wipe out your spending money…and much more.

Have a Blast! Switch off, unwind and enjoy every minute of it, you deserve it.

Safe travels and happy holidays from everyone at Graham Sykes Insurance!

If you’d like to chat to someone about your travel insurance then please call us on 01395 255100, or email info@graham-sykes.co.uk.

So how to get hold of a quote on my own.

For those of you who are seasoned event organisers or stallholders it could not be simpler, just hop online. Many companies, including mine, give you online access to a full quote and buy system.

A few things worth checking beforehand though:

Getting the correct level of public liability cover can be difficult enough. Therefore, buying insurance for £millions can seem very strange but consider why you are buying it. For example public and employers liability covers bodily injury. This money may be used to provide care which could be needed for years.

Remember insurance contacts are “good faith” contracts so you need to set them up truthfully. You may need to answer some qualifying questions before you buy your policy. It is very important that you answer them correctly. If you are unsure then call your chosen provider before you buy .

Looking after your helpers is a legal requirement, this even includes volunteers. They all need to be covered under employers’ liability.

In some cases event organisers or site owners may say that they want a specific level of public liability. Some, councils for example, may ask you for £5m. It is worth checking before you buy because amending policies afterwards may incur a charge.

If you are selling something you will also need to consider product liability. In some cases this is set to the same value as your public liability. So please check the policy wording or call your broker or insurer.

There are other covers that may be available to cover stock and property. You may also want protection against cancellation. Many additional covers are available on the online quote and buy options. But if you have thought of one that isn’t there just give us a call.

Online purchase means you should get all your documents almost instantly. However, before you put them in your bag ready for your event, please take time to check they are correct. It is far better to change mistakes before the event.

Once you have chosen your provider. Selected the level of cover you need. Answered all the questions and paid the premium. The only thing left to do is focus on making the most of your event or stall.

Now I have it all under control!

Good luck!