Home Office Insurance

Before you talk to Performance Direct about office insurance, it's a good idea to do a quick assessment of the value of your office equipment, such as computers, telephones, office furniture and portable devices. That way you can tell us how much contents cover you need and rest easy that the office contents insurance that we source for you will be adequate - whatever happens. Get in touch with us as soon as you are ready and we'll make the office insurance process quick, easy and hopefully a pleasure for you.

Office insurance quotes should make sure that risks of all kinds are covered against claims from the public as well as financial losses as a result of theft and building damage, such as due to a fire or flood. The obvious risks to the public are things like injuries that happen due to tripping over unsecured computer cables, so it's vital that liability insurance is included in your quote. Business insurance also needs to protect against long term losses or business interruption, such as if a building is badly damaged due to flooding and you can't return to the premises for some time. In this case, making sure that you have adequate office contents insurance is also crucial, as everything you use within the office - from filing cabinets to computers - will be damaged too.

For complete peace of mind relating to business insurance, it's also a very good idea to ask Performance Direct about indemnity insurance. This protects you in the event that advice you give a customer is wrong or insufficient, and as a result they lose money. If they decide to make a claim against you to cover their losses, a good indemnity insurance policy will ensure that your policy pays out the amount rather than you or your business.

Having a good office insurance policy will protect your business in the event of a liability claim. However you can do a lot to keep your office environment safe and prevent claims happening in the first place.

A health and safety risk assessment will help you identify hazards in your office. There are plenty of guidelines available to help you carry out a thorough check, for example on the HSE website. Once you know what could potentially be a danger for people – such as visitors tripping over loose carpeting – you can take steps to eliminate or at least minimise the risk. It's important to keep in mind that office environments can change, such as if you add or rearrange office furniture, so carrying out a risk assessment on a regular basis is good practice. Making sure that hazards and risk are at an absolute minimum will also help keep your office insurance costs down, as an office insurance quote will normally take your track record of claims into account. Being able to show, for example, that no claims have been made against you will mean business insurance at the best possible price.

Taking sensible safety precautions will also mean a smaller chance of making a claim for stolen property and therefore more attractive quotes for business insurance for offices. Pay attention to who comes in and out of your office to prevent casual burglars helping themselves. Make sure that windows and doors are securely locked before you go home and don't leave valuable items on show. Put things like mobile phones and tablet computers into a lockable drawer or cupboard along with any keys and other valuable items that you normally leave in the office.

Anything at all that you can do to prevent harm, theft and damage will not only help keep your office insurance costs very manageable but will also save you having to lose valuable time dealing with unexpected problems – not to mention the distress.

Now that you are talking to Performance Direct about liability insurance as part of an office insurance quote, it is worthwhile taking some time to think about the ergonomics of your office. This means designing your office so that people can operate in it safely and comfortably, which in turns minimises the chances of anyone making a claim against you. The added bonus is that greater comfort will also mean far greater productivity.

Lighting is important so where possible ensure that your office is naturally lit and airy, and that people have the kind of light they need for their tasks. Fitting blinds to windows is also beneficial as these can be used when necessary to prevent glare. Seating should be right for a person's height and build, with their back supported well. Chairs that can be adjusted in numerous places including armrest height and seat length are ideal, as they will work perfectly whether the user is 6 feet or 5 feet tall. Although highly adjustable office chairs are more expensive, the increased productivity that comes with good seating makes the investment very worthwhile. Desk height is important too, and the person using it should be able to work comfortably without getting an aching back or tensed up shoulders. If the legs of the desk can be adjusted to lower or raise the height, all the better. Those using computers should be able to position monitors in a way and at a distance that prevents eyestrain, and lighting should be checked to ensure that it doesn't create a reflection on the screen. Having accessories such as wrist rests for computer users is also very helpful and for those that want them, a footrest can increase comfort. When you decide to implement sound ergonomic principles in your office, it is always best to source expert information, such as from a reputable website or from a qualified practitioner, so that you do things right.

Business insurance for offices is easy to arrange through Performance Direct. Call us now and we'll advise you on office insurance cover that protects you and your business perfectly.