You will probably have seen mission statements from endless companies, and you will get industry bodies that represent their members. With Insurance there are numerous bodies looking to represent those who work in the industry; each will have its own Code of Ethics which look very impressive, but it’s also strange how all Codes of Ethics don’t read the same.

A Code of Ethics takes daily workings to its basic levels, a bit like the Ten Commandments. 

In any job mistakes will happen so please don’t assume those who work in insurance are fault free.

The reason is that they are designed to be understood by all. The problem is that some who write or are subject to them seem to feel that mitigating circumstances exclude the need to follow what has been written. That is crass nonsense and you need to understand that. 

A lot of professional bodies are not much more than private businesses set up as not for profit enterprises, whose sole purpose is to present the wonderful face of their members to the public at large.

Experience has led me to observe that some of these bodies are not worth the paper their glamourous headings are written on. 

Insurance is a business and not a social service, but within there are some unscrupulous people who present themselves as holier than though yet they are absolute charlatans, and somehow they seem to be able to fly under the radar. 

Professional bodies have mixed performances, and it is far better to take matters to the Financial Ombudsman Service where your complaint will be answered by a truly independent body who are very down to earth.

With Insurance whilst it looks unchanged on the surface with the same happy smiley faces on TV, it is going through enormous change led by the Financial Conduct Authority. They have an acute understanding of how things ought to be and are breaking down the old boy’s network slowly. 

It’s important that key approaches to insurance are understood so you can enjoy a lot less hassle.

• Make sure you supply all material facts, do not look to hide anything hoping it will be cheaper, because there is a huge amount of cross referencing that goes on between companies
• Accept that ‘Cheaper means Less Protection’ so if you are going for cheap please understand what you will not be covered for
• Much as it’s not nice to hear accidents in the home or office will happen and you may be involved. Trident Insurance can help you protect yourself and your company
• Don’t be fooled by cash backs, there is no such thing as a free ride and like life, nothing is free without a catch
• Not all brokers are the same as is case with Insurers
• However tedious always read your documents and check the information is correct
• Remember at Trident Insurance we take care of everything
• Comparison sites are full of companies many are white label entities of another
• Check the total cost of the add-ons, many a time it’s always better to go elsewhere, Think RyanAir and BA

• View Codes of Conduct and Ethics with a fair degree of circumspection, opinions are important but always support your view with evidence
• If you feel the need to go to the professional body because your complaint has not been addressed don’t hold your breath. For a completely impartial view to your go to the Ombudsman   
•  Ethics are all well and good but buying insurance is a serious job and don’t be fooled that it’s a 5 minute exercise
•  With over 300 brokers signed to use our facilities we think we must be doing something  right
•  If you’re not happy don’t burn up inside be proactive  

Ok, that was a lot more than I had hoped to put down but follow the above and its more than possible dealing with insurance will not be a lot less upsetting.

Cuddly toys and opera singers are fun, but they will not deliver the protection you need. Trident takes care of everything  

Robert D Marshall FCSI 

Director

robertmarshall@trident-insurance.co.uk

Tel. No. 0800 038 9000