New legal protection policy from McCarron Coates and JMW
Fleet transport insurance broker, McCarron Coates, has partnered with law firm and transport specialist, JMW, to create a road transport protection policy.
The ‘Accelerate’ policy, unavailable through any other broker, has been exclusively created by McCarron Coates and underwriter Financial & Legal (FLI). It provides bus and coach operators and HGV firms with a policy providing comprehensive legal cover, aimed at protecting the fleet business, its finances, its directors and the O licence. It also offers access to a wide range of other specialist legal advice, from divorce to property-related disputes, child access, inheritance and host of other issues.
The policy’s ethos is that prevention is better than cure. It provides pro-active, upfront legal advice ahead of any employment tribunal or Traffic Commissioner’s hearing, rather than simply when things have progressed to a stage where impacts cannot be reduced. The legal advice is partner-led at JMW, giving the insured access to the higher echelon of expertise within the Top 100 legal firm.
What the policy covers
The policy covers any investigation or case mounted by authorities such as the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the DVSA; Trading Standards, the Police and the Environment Agency. It also protects an operator should an employment dispute result in a tribunal, and provides legal advice for any criminal matters relating to the use of the operator’s commercial vehicles.
It covers the legal fees involved in representing a client during an investigation or employment tribunal and also the settlement figure, up to £50,000, if a case is lost.
Accelerate’s intention is to arm operators with a means to access on-point legal advice from day one, the moment a driver is stopped at the roadside for an infringement, or as soon as alarm bells ring with regard to a potential employment issue. Rather than waiting to see what results and whether they are summoned to the Traffic Commissioner, an operator can immediately take control, getting the right legal advice and following an advised strategy.
As well as protecting operators in occupational or employment scenarios, the policy provides a free initial consultation with a JMW specialist partner, for any other legal issue they face. From there, discounted rates apply. This same facility and arrangement is extended to the insured operator’s employees, providing a tangible employment benefit.
The policy is priced per vehicle, with a fixed monthly fee. It dovetails with other legal protection available through McCarron Coates’ RTC Crisis Line, provided free to all of the broker’s clients. While RTC Crisis Line provides a driver with instant, transport-specific legal advice the moment they are interviewed under police caution, Accelerate is protection for the operator, in their capacity as the O licence holder, company director and employer.
“Accelerate also launches ahead of the new Employment Rights Bill, which will introduce 28 individual employment reform, including day-one employment rights for employees” – Ian McCarron, director at McCarron Coates
Ian McCarron, director at McCarron Coates, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Financial & Legal to create this exclusive and unique policy, now offered in conjunction with JMW. It provides McCarron Coates’ fleet clients with wraparound protection in all legal scenarios, at a time when we have over 90 UK regulators and many pressures for bus and coach and HGV operators to absorb and tackle during the course of their daily operations.
“Accelerate also launches ahead of the new Employment Rights Bill, which will introduce 28 individual employment reform, including day-one employment rights for employees. With so many changes, it will be very easy for operators to be caught out and face the legal consequences. Having the right legal advice, instantly, will be paramount.
“By offering Accelerate to our clients, we are confident we can help drive better compliance in the heavy goods and passenger transport sectors. The upfront advice offered is a vital component of holistic risk management and a means to leverage improvements within fleets, whether that is through enhanced legal and employment law awareness, improved driver training or better adherence to maintenance and the required daily walkaround check.”
“Being on the front foot, by virtue of having access to this cover, can make all the difference to business continuity” – JMW partner, Scott Bell
JMW partner, Scott Bell, said: “McCarron Coates has worked with us to create what we regard as a compelling package of protection for anyone who values their O licence and recognises various other threats and risks to their business. Being on the front foot, by virtue of having access to this cover, can make all the difference to business continuity.”
For more information on Accelerate, call 0161 507 1076 or email [email protected]