With many businesses changing behaviours (closing premises, laying up vehicles) they should still be operating to a principal of protecting your assets until the epidemnic passes. WIth this in mind we have collated insurers minimum standards and offer them as practical risk mitigation plans. Please note that these are generic advices and you should mould these to your personal circumstances, if unsure contact us for further assistance.
Motor
If you are considering "laying up" vehicles or just parking them in a yard, privatein driveways during the current outbreak please provide us with a list of vehicles to be laid up (including latest valuations) and the follwing:
• Details of vehicle storage (all locations if more than one) including postcodes.
• Details of security in place (including CCTV, Man Guarded, Perimeter fencing).
• Details of keys security (how and where they are being stored).
• Details of separation (how far apart from each other will the vehicles be kept).
• Will vehicle batteries be disconnected whilst laid up?
• Time period (if known)?
• Will the laid up vehicles be SORN?
Guidelines on Separation
- Try to ensure each vehicle is accessible from at least one side to allow a fire to be fought so unburnt vehicles can be accessed and moved to prevent the fire spreading.
- Ideally this will limit any row to a depth of 2 vehicles side by side.
- You should try to maintain a separation distance of 6 metres between rows or blocks of vehicles.
- Suitable firefighting equipment should be provided to the store where possible..
- Suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment should be completed.
- Some form of fire alarm (manual if appropriate) should be provided where possible.
SORN Vehicles are also to be removed from the MID
Property
This guidance aims to assist our customers in protecting their Business assets.
- You should endeavour where practical and safe to inspect your Insured premises internally and externally and keep a log
- Risk assessments should be carried out on the changing risk/lack of supervision in place
- Any and all hazardous processes to cease (and not run unmanned) and be shut down safely
- Other processes should not be run if there is no adequate supervision; safety should not be comprised
- Heating left on but other critical services powered down if not required, unless to support protection or detection systems
- Drain all water and fuel supply tanks, apparatus and pipes
- All external areas must be clear of waste and combustible materials
- Consider waste build-up and the controls needed if waste collection services are affected
- All fire protection, detection, and security systems to remain active and monitored remotely where possible
- Adequacy of security controls should be assessed based on likely periods of unoccupancy and type of business, particularly in high-crime areas
- Secure and seal all letter boxes and openings and redirect post if necessary
- Consideration should be given to accumulation of vehicles, proximity to buildings, and their security when premises are unattended
- Perimeter security, fences and lighting are in good condition and operational
- All physical security and locking devices are working and in place
- All protection and detection systems are operational
- There are no leaking fluids or spills
- Any unsafe conditions are identified and remedied
