FAQs

1. Corporate

 

Who is getMY.com?

getMY and getMY.com are registered trademarks of FirstAssist Insurance Services Limited, one of the UK's leading providers of travel, protection, budget health, legal protection and small business products.

We've built our specialist expertise in these markets over the last 20 years and today cover over 2 million people in the UK. Our products are available direct to the public and through many of the country's leading High Street Banks, Building Societies, Travel Agents and other Institutions.

FirstAssist has a wealth of experience in looking after customers in a speedy, efficient and friendly manner whenever you need to contact us.

We are fully regulated by the Financial Services Authority and aim to offer a level of speedy, efficient and friendly service that's second to none.

 

 

2. Cover

 

What is business insurance?

Business insurance can protect your property (buildings, contents and stock) and income, and means you can concentrate on growing your business without worrying about accidental losses. It can also cover your legal liabilities to your employees, your customers and the public.

 

Why do I need insurance?

Firstly, it’s prudent to protect your property and income – your business continuity depends on it.

Secondly, you have legal responsibilities to your employees, your customers and the public. If an employee or a member of the public is injured and it’s your business’s fault you could be held legally liable and risk being sued. What’s more, by law almost all employers must have employers’ liability cover.

 

What is included in the standard cover?

Depending on your trade, our standard cover includes:

• Buildings and contents (including stock)
• Business interruption, including Loss of Licence for retailers, hotels and pubs and restaurants
• Goods in Transit
• Loss of money
• Deterioration of Stock
• Public and Products Liability
• Employers’ Liability (if required)
• Business Interruption
• Legal Expenses
• Optional computer breakdown cover
• BusinessCare - a comprehensive legal toolkit, included as standard

What’s included in property damage cover?

Our policies not only cover your buildings and contents against any risk (subject to the exceptions listed in the policy wording), but also cover money, goods in transit and stock. We also offer optional computer breakdown cover that protects your systems and the data on them.

 

What kind of insurance does my business need?

All our policies are designed for small businesses. The type of policy and options your business needs depends on the specific risks that you face. When you ask us for a quote, we’ll ask a number of questions that will help you decide which policy and options will best suit your business.

 

How quickly can I get cover?

Provided we can offer you insurance, we can cover you almost immediately – cover starts from 00.01 am the next day.

 

What is property insurance?

Property insurance (also called ‘Buildings and contents insurance’) covers your business’s assets – including premises, stock, equipment, computers, and fittings - against accidental loss, damage or destruction.

 

Do I have to have employers' liability insurance?

Legally, the definition of an employee is very wide, and includes voluntary, cash, Saturday and part time workers.

By law if you have any employees, you must have employers’ liability cover of at least £5m. You can be fined up to £2,500 for each day that you don’t have the necessary insurance cover.

The only exceptions are:

• If your business is not a limited company, and you are the only employee or you only employ close family members, you do not need compulsory employers' liability insurance.

• Since February 2005, limited companies with only one employee, where that employee also owns 50 per cent or more of the issued share capital in the company, have been exempt from compulsory employers' liability insurance.

• If you’re a sole trader with no employees, you can have a policy without employers’ liability, which will reduce your premium.

Find out more about employers' liability insurance

 

How do I know that £10 million is enough for employers' liability?

£10 million is our standard employers’ liability cover, and is twice the statutory amount which is £5 million. The amount you’ll need depends on how many of your employees could be injured in the same incident – since we normally cover a maximum of 20 employees, this limit should be fine.

 

I’m self employed and a sole trader, do I need insurance?

However small your business, you will have property, income and liabilities that need insurance cover.

Even as a sole trader working from home, you’ll have legal liabilities towards your customers and the public, and have equipment that your business relies on.

 

What does public liability insurance cover?

If a member of the public is injured or their property damaged by you or your business, you could be legally liable and risk being sued.

Public liability insurance covers the costs of compensation or damages and also covers the legal fees, costs and expenses you may face when dealing with a claim.

Find out more about public liability cover

 

How do I know that my business interruption cover is enough?

Roughly, the amount of cover you need is your turnover minus your fixed costs. If the figure for your business is more than £250,000 (or £50,000 for Homeworkers and Tradesman) you may want to take extra cover – we can cover you up to £500,000 (or £100,000 for Homeworkers and Tradesman).

Find out more about business interruption cover

 

How do I calculate employee numbers (for purposes of employers’ liability premium)?

Legally, the definition of an employee is very wide, and includes voluntary, cash, Saturday and part time workers. Your employee number is the maximum number of people – full time or part time, including yourself – you employ during the year.

 

Are fines covered by liability insurance?

Liability insurance covers you against legal costs and compensation, but not against fines.

 

How do I calculate rebuilding costs?

Your rebuilding cost isn’t the same thing as the value of your building, or the price you paid for it – it is the cost of rebuilding your property from scratch.

There is a tool online at http://calculator.bcis.co.uk/ that will give you an idea of your rebuilding costs – you’ll need to add on about 10% for site clearance and architects fees.

The calculator will only give you a rough idea – you should ask a chartered surveyor to give you a rebuild cost for your specific building.

 

What should I include in the value of items away from my premises?

You don’t need to include items that are being repaired or restored. The value of all the other items you take out of your business premises will need to be specified – for example, laptop computers.

 

What happens if I’m underinsured?

It’s important to insure yourself for the full value of your assets and liabilities. If you’re underinsured, your insurer may not have to pay out the full amount of a claim – even if that claim isn’t for the maximum level of your insurance.

 

 

3. Payment

 

How do I know that my quote won’t change?

Your quote is valid for 30 days. If you come back to us after 30 days, we’ll put together another quote for you, which may be different. If your circumstances change within the 30 days, you must tell us, as this may affect your quote.

How does the no claim discount work?

We give a discount for each claim free year up to a maximum of 15% if you have had 3 years totally claims and incident free. Even if you’ve had a small claim in the last 3 years, you may still qualify for a discount.  This includes claim free years with other insurers – not just with us!

If I have made a claim am I still entitled to a discount?

If you’ve made a small claim or suffered a small loss you may still get a no claim discount.

 

 

4. Change/renewal

 

What happens if my business changes?

Call us immediately. Your cover depends on the information about you and your business in your Policy Summary and Policy Schedule being correct. If it isn’t, your policy may be invalid or may not provide you with full cover.

 

How can I change my policy?

Call us and we’ll be happy to talk about any changes you’d like to make. We’ll be able to tell you whether a particular change is possible, how it may affect your premium and how to go about making the change.

 

How do I renew my policy?

A month before your renewal date we’ll contact you and confirm your premium and your cover.

 

What happens if the sum I need to be insured for changes?

Call us immediately. Your cover depends on the information about you and your business in your Policy Summary and Policy Schedule being correct. If it isn’t, your policy may be invalid or may not provide you with full cover.

 

What happens if I change my address?

Call us immediately – Your cover depends on the information about you and your business in your Policy Summary and Policy Schedule being correct. If it isn’t, your policy may be invalid or may not provide you with full cover.

 

 

5. Cancellation

 

How can I cancel my policy?

You can cancel at any time simply by calling us giving us 14 days notice. We’ll deal with your cancellation over the phone, we may charge you an administration fee, but depending on the months remaining and whether you have made any claims in the year you may be entitled to a refund.

 

 

6. Claims

 

How do I make a claim?

If you want to make a claim, call our 24 hour claims helpline - 0844 209 1509. We’ll tell you what happens next and take the details of your claim over the telephone.

If you are not sure if something is covered by your policy, call us anyway – we’ll give you free, impartial advice about your claim.

 

 

7. Other

 

Are my locks compliant?

The security levels – including what type of locks you must have - that apply to your policy are listed in your Policy Summary and detailed in your Policy Wording. If you have any doubts you should get professional advice from a locksmith.

Find out more about security