We are pleased to announce that Mark Bates Ltd is now a member of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA). BIBA is the trade body for insurance brokers in the UK. It has over 1,700 member firms, and it works with the government, the Financial Conduct Authority and the wider industry on behalf of brokers and the customers they look after.

Our Operations Director, Bradley Evans, attended the BIBA Conference earlier this year and met with the BIBA team to find out what membership could do for us and for our customers. Following those conversations we made the decision to join.

Attending the BIBA Conference was a valuable opportunity to build relationships and explore what membership could offer. We want to make practical use of that support, whether that means developing our team’s knowledge, building a useful relationship or finding an additional insurance option for a customer. Joining is the first step; what matters is how we use the opportunities available. - Bradley Evans

What does this mean for you?

Membership gives us more to offer. BIBA members have access to a range of specialist insurance schemes, arranged with providers who deal with the risks that a standard policy does not cover. We have all had the experience of being told “sorry, we can’t insure that”, and over the years some of our own customers have come to us with a need that did not fit any of our products. Membership gives us somewhere else to look for them.

Our team will have access to BIBA’s technical guidance, training and industry updates too. Insurance regulation changes often, and keeping our staff up to date means better advice for you when you call.

Specialist home insurance

We have already signed up to our first BIBA scheme. Magenta Insurance provide BIBA’s scheme for non-standard home insurance, including unoccupied properties. They have been underwriting this type of property for over 30 years and are a Chartered Insurance Underwriting Agent.

“Non-standard” covers a lot of homes that many insurers will not touch. Listed buildings, homes of unusual construction such as timber frame or thatch, properties that have flooded or suffered subsidence in the past, and homes that are standing empty for a longer period, for example during probate, between tenants or when a house is up for sale. If you have ever tried to insure a property like this you will know how difficult it can be, and how expensive the quotes can look when you do get one.

Having access to this scheme means that when a customer comes to us with one of these properties, our team have a genuine option to look at. Cover is subject to underwriting acceptance and to the terms, conditions, limits, excesses and exclusions of the policy offered, and not every property will be eligible. We will go through your circumstances with you and be honest about what we can and cannot do.

A professional standard

Membership of BIBA is not automatic. Firms have to meet BIBA’s professional standards before they are accepted, and we are proud to say we have done that. Our membership certificate is now on display at our office in Grantham. It confirms that Mark Bates Limited has achieved the professional standards required for membership and is committed to providing high-quality customer service.

We have always held ourselves to a high standard, and BIBA membership is independent recognition of that. Our focus now is on making the most of it, supporting our team, building relationships across the industry and carefully looking at opportunities that add real value for our customers.

If your home is unoccupied, of unusual construction, or you have been turned down for cover elsewhere, please don’t hesitate to call us