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Hart Owens Group Plc

real people, real partnerships

It is easy for us to tell you of our aims and achievements. We believe however, it is more important what others say about us. Below are just a few of the many testimonials we have received in writing.


UK subsidiary of German Pharmaceutical Group

"When we appointed Hart Owens as our brokers in 2001, we were promised that our insurances would be managed and this has certainly been the case. From the outset they have involved themselves with the management of all areas affecting our Insurances and they are always there when we require advice and help, particularly on Health and Safety matters where they have provided us with relevant training.

Upon appointment Hart Owens immediately took responsibility for a substantial Employer´s Liability claim for stress that pre dated their appointment. They were involved in the selection of the defence lawyers and the coordination of the defence process. As a result, not only was the defence successful but costs were awarded against the plaintiff and recovered.

We enjoy the fact that, in contrast with our experience of larger organisations, with Hart Owens we have one individual who is our main point of contact. This person handles all our queries and issues quickly and efficiently and coordinates with others as required.

They have certainly had a positive effect on our insurance cover and premiums since their appointment."



Metalwork Manufacturer and Contractor

"We have been clients of Hart Owens Group since 1999 and our long standing relationship is evidence of our satisfaction with the service that we have received from them during this time.

Our insurances are handled efficiently with a professional yet personal approach and the assistance that we have received from Hart Owens on liability claims has proved invaluable. With their help we have managed to successfully defend several claims which would have had a significant impact on our claims experience otherwise.

In particular, when a claim was received from an existing employee alleging hand arm vibration over a long period of time, Hart Owens worked closely with us and insurers representatives to disprove that his duties with the company were contributing to his disease. The result was that the employee removed us from his claim.

We have also taken advantage of services that Hart Owens provides in respect of Health and Safety. They have helped us carry out noise assessments at our premises, undertaken hearing tests on all employees and are always making suggestions about the ways in which we can improve our Health and Safety systems and documentation.

They also bring to our attention any relevant changes in Health and Safety law through regular newsletters and free seminars.

As a manufacturing company in Sheffield it is pleasing to be able to endorse, with confidence, the services of another local company."



Heavy Engineering – UK Subsidiary of US Conglomerate

"Hart Owens were appointed as our brokers in 1998, replacing a major international broker who had been used for a number of years. The key element of that appointment was the promise by Hart Owens to provide us with a level of service that had been lacking for some time, and to work as if they were part of our own management team with responsibility for all our insurance issues. This they have done throughout our time with them, providing constructive advice on the actions needed to be taken to help control our premium spend.

The nature of our business means that we are not particularly attractive to liability insurers, however Hart Owens have worked with us closely over the past seven years to try and control the claims situation and, as a result, have been heavily involved in the development of our Health and Safety systems.

They have also initiated a system whereby, with the close co-operation of staff, unions and insurers, we have been able in certain circumstances to significantly restrict the time spent by lawyers on claims, enabling considerable savings to be made in those cases.

Where we have felt that a claim should be defended they have supported us, bringing pressure to bear on the insurer, and worked with us on the defence, advising what is required.

In the time we have worked together Hart Owens have provided that level of service promised on their appointment, and the level of commitment from all their staff is much appreciated. I hope they have enjoyed their partnership with us as much as we have with them. "



Major Lloyds Liability Underwriter

The quality of presentation we receive from Hart Owens and the knowledge they demonstrate of the risk is something not seen from other Brokers.

It is clear that they not only know their clients but how to control and manage risk to the benefit of both the client and ourselves.

It helps us assess the risk more easily and makes us more comfortable, knowing they will do whatever they can to manage throughout the policy period.



Major International Insurer

Managing risk to reduce claims potential is important to all Insurers. Hart Owens have demonstrated to us that they are committed to this philosophy and this makes us happy to help them where possible.

In a number of instances they have acquired risks already insured with us where we were unhappy with the control. Hart Owens promised to improve the risk and did so demonstrating their skills in this area. We have, in the past cited what they have achieved to other Brokers as examples of what can be achieved.



Manufacturers & Wholesale Butchers

Hart Owens were introduced to us approximately 6 months ago by a fellow business associate. We transferred our insurance to them at a time when we were recovering from a series of claims which were affecting our renewal terms. We were very re-assured by their extend of knowledge and their pro-active approach towards the management and control of insurance factors within the business.

We have been working with them now for several months and we have maintained an excellent professional relationship - nothing is too much trouble, they remain very helpful and offer a wealth of knowledge and advice. We are much more confident now in our approach towards insurance management and effective control of all our health and safety systems as a result of working with such a supportive broker.

We look forward to moving forward with Hart Owens.



Importers and Wholesalers of Florist Sundries & Giftware

In 2002, we had problems following an insurer survey of our main premises. We mentioned this to a mutual friend, who was insured with Hart Owens, and recommended them to us. We appointed them as our Brokers based on this recommendation.

We found their attitude to be refreshing. Our previous Brokers had not walked round our operation. Hart Owens immediately visited our premises, looked at the issues raised by our insurers, and then told us we had been let off lightly! However, they then worked with us to deal with the issues, offering practical solutions, as well as help advice and support for our Health and Safety Manager. We were able to work with Hart Owens to satisfy our insurer’s requirements, and continue to use them to underpin our Health and Safety.

They also actively manage our claims, and become involved in dealing with them, rather than just passing pieces of paper between us and our insurers. They work with us and insurers to defend claims where necessary, but also to achieve a timely resolution where appropriate to control costs.

We enjoy working with Hart Owens. They understand that insurance is about people, and we have an open, honest relationship with them.



Leading UK Restaurant Chain

We have been clients of Hart Owens for more than a decade. At the outset they promised us that if we worked with them they would manage our insurances in order to manage premiums.

Operating in the catering industry with more than 250 restaurants around the country we inevitably have claims. In respect of property claims many of our locations are in department stores and shopping malls. When a loss occurs we need the incident to be investiqated immediately due to the possibility of claims from our landlords or other tenants.

Hart Owens are always on site within 24 hours and work to discover the cause of the loss, and we believe that this immediacy has allowed us to pass liability to others, and deny claims that may otherwise have been brought against us in others. This action has saved our insurers considerable cost, and therefore controlled our own premium levels.

Liability claims by staff are always a problem in our industry. Hart Owens have always managed these for us and persuaded insurers how to deal with the claim as we would wish. Our Liability insurance is not traditional as we bear a proportion of any loss ourselves, and we need help to control the level of claims.

In a recent incident that we wished to defend, Hart Owens managed the claim throughout, working with insurers, lawyers and ourselves, and even transported our witnesses to court in order to ensure that we were fully prepared. We won the case and were even awarded special costs against the claimant.

Hart Owens advise on how to deal with claims, and more importantly identified problem areas in order that we can take action to remedy immediately. They are far more than insurance brokers. They provide a total insurance management tool, also working closely with us on health and safety which we now understand to be an important area in controlling the insurance premiums. They have run seminars and training sessions not only for our head office management but also for regional managers in order that they understand the benefits of managing claims and insurance in general

We consider them to be an integral part of the management of our company, in particular the insurance expenditure.



UK Engineering Company

We have been clients of Hart Owens since 1996.

During this period they have worked closely with us providing advice and also training on various issues that affect our sector. We have found them knowledgeable and approachable - willing to “fight our corner”. For example, in today’s litigious society company’s are wide open for claims from the legitimate to the fraudulent: Hart Owens’ personnel seek to attend claims meetings, raising issues that require clarification and attention. Working with them we have been able to refute some spurious claims thereby helping to “keep the lid” on premiums.

In conclusion we gladly promote and endorse Hart Owens’ services: they may not be the cheapest but must be one of the best.



Specialist Industrial Screen Printers

We have employed Hart Owens as our insurance broker for the last three years. We were initially attracted to them because they seemed to share our own business values and ethics and our experience to date supports that our original judgement was correct.

The staff at Hart Owens are always friendly, knowledgeable and professional and they ensure that we are only insured with companies that offer the right cover for us. If this is not the cheapest quote that they have received, they will explain to us why they are not recommending that we take that option. It is refreshing to work with a broker who although recognising that we need to buy competitively, takes time to explain the options so that we get real value for money. When we have had to make a claim or an incident has occurred that we believe may result in a claim, the service we have received from Hart Owens has been exemplary with 'hand holding' where necessary and sound advise. When we had "near miss" incident recently which we reported to them, although we did not believe it would result in a claim, Hart Owens not only communicated on our behalf to the insurers but also offered us sound advice on how we could minimise future risk from the equipment including where to penetrant dye solution to detect potential weld failure.

I can honestly say that we see Hart Owens as a partner organisation that offer real value for money and look after our interests extremely well in a friendly and professional way. I have recommended them to business acquaintances on a number of occasions as I have absolute confidence in them.



Largest digital print company in Europe

Since we appointed Hart Owens Group as our Insurance Brokers in early 2003, we have been impressed bit the pro-active role they have taken in managing our insurance risk.

We feel we have been educated on how insurance works and how claims drive premiums. Their Health & Safety survey identified weaknesses in our own internal systems and our potential vulnerability to claims from employees.

They have provided training and support to our management team in order to reduce this exposure and we feel that our business is stronger and our employees safer as a result of their valuable input.

The last 12 months have seen unprecedented growth of our company resulting in a move to larger premises. We involved Hart Owens at an early stage and they visited our new site on several occasions prior to completing our move, on occasion with the Insurance Company Surveyor to give advice on security and layout.



Global Insurer

It's not only the risk management expertise at Hart Owens that has impressed us. The quality of the commercial presentations we receive from Hart Owens, the details provided of the risk and the processes involved is to be applauded. They are also committed to the management of claims on their clients behalf and attend all claims meetings with our appointed representatives. We welcome their involvement which will include collation of documentation prior to meetings, discussion of individual claims, the implications and education of clients where necessary. What Hart Owens has to offer is the development of a close, long term client, broker and insurer relationship with the emphasis on a strong risk management ethic.



Leading High Quality property developer & entrepreneur

From the outset , Hart Owens Group have delivered on their promise to 'manage' our insurances from every perspective. Some three years on, we have now obtained wider cover at a reduced rate on all of our building projects. Following extensive negotiations with surveyors and underwriters and their own in depth knowledge of our business, Hart Owens negotiated a reduction of £150,000 on our deductible for unoccupied buildings and development work.

In addition to this, they are extremely active in managing unfortunate situations such as accidents occurring on our sites. A recent example of this , involved an employee who suffered a nasty cut to his leg whilst using a stilh saw. Hart Owens attended site on the same day and completed a full incident investigation. A decision was taken that , based on the information gathered should the employee consult a 'no win no fee' solicitor, he would definitely receive compensation. Hart Owens coordinated the situation from the outset and together with our insurers agreed an equitable settlement for the injured party without involving solicitors. The process was swift, fair and did not compromise any party in any way. As a result the employee returned to work very quickly, received his settlement in record time and we estimate that we, with insurers have saved somewhere in the region of £5 - 8,000 from the cost of the claim.

We are extremely comfortable with everything Hart Owens work with us on. We consider them part of our own team. They operate with honesty , integrity and maintain a sense of humour, which in today's business world is an unbeatable combination.



Major Glass and sealed glazed unit manufacturer

We have been clients of Hart Owens for more that 15 years, during which time we have grown substantially. At the outset they promised to act as if they were our 'in-house' insurance department, a role that they have more than performed.

They have provided a total claims service, particularly in respect of employers liability incidents, where they have taken over the defence and mitigation aspects. They have worked with our own in house Health & Safety Manager including providing training on accident investigation, and what is necessary to reduce the possibility of a claim by others being successful.

We are satisfied that as a result of their efforts our premiums are substantially below what they would have been without their intervention.

Importantly we can rely on their professional and committed management of our account.



International Loss Adjusting Firm

We have worked closely with Hart Owens, a long established Insurance Broker based in Sheffield, in the handling of liability claims for their clients for several years. I have always found Hart Owens to be very client focused, the aim of always being to deliver the highest possible standard of claims handling.

I am also aware that Hart Owens collate management information in the form of claims bordereaux to aid risk management etc.

We appreciate the support which we continue to receive from Hart Owens, undoubtedly a very important provincial broker in the handling of Liability insurance claims for both national and locally based clients.

I look forward to growing our strong working relationship in the future.



PVC Window System manufacturer

We have been insured through Hart Owens for more than a decade during which time our business has developed substantially. We have obviously had a number of claims during this period, and they have always been there to assist in putting the claims together and dealing with Insurers and their representatives as if they were employed directly by us.

When liability claims have occurred they have always asked our view and worked with us. A particular claim comes to mind for industrial deafness where we were convinced that this was due to the lifestyle of the claimant and not work related. Hart Owens helped us to successfully defend the claim.

Hart Owens have been very involved in our Health & Safety and have also provided training for staff. We understand the importance of good Health & Safety systems and how these affect insurance premiums.

It is reassuring to know that, even for certain problems slightly outside the scope of regular insurance, we can contact any number of people at Hart Owens and always be confident of sound ,helpful advice.



Large Steel Stockholder

There has historically been a 'claims culture' within the company, exacerbated by the physical nature of the work, noise, vibration and working in close proximity to near molten steel.

This had the potential to have a negative impact on the Group's Health & Safety record, something which we value. The situation developed through 2004 and there was an increase in the number of claims received. Many of these claims have been spurious and Hart Owens have made every effort to ensure that our Employers liability insurers have had the best available chance of obtaining a successful defence.

Together with senior management team, Hart Owens formed an action plan for the for the following 12 months which addressed Insurers concerns>their subsequent negotiation of our renewal rates on our liability insurances produced a result much more favourable than expected. And of course we now benefit from a structured programme of risk assessment and minimisation - a considerable benefit for both the company and employees.

We have a close working relationship with Hart Owens and rely on them to assist us with any query we may have whether it be insurance or Health & Safety related. A recent policy innovation was their expert interview of potential claimants at the earliest opportunity following an incident.

A real partnership - proactive and practical, bringing benefit to all parties.



Foundry

Hart Owens have been our insurance advisors for more than seven years.

Both location and the nature of our business are areas that insurers do not consider to be ones that they seek, and Hart Owens have worked with us to persuade insurers that we are a risk they want to insure. We inevitably have employees making claims due to the nature of our business, and Hart Owens take over the management of the claim immediately and work with us to defend or reduce the cost.

They provide us with training and understanding of what is required on H&S to put us in a better insurance position. The insurance and risk management aspects compliment each other to provide an excellent overall package.

Apart from the technical areas of assistance we find that they are always there and every person we speak to from the receptionist to the managing directors give the impression they wish to help us. Their service, advice, and general attitude make a difficult area for our business that much more manageable.



Titanium Processors

Two years after we appointed Hart Owens in 2000 we had a major flood following storms which left our premises under more that 2 feet of mud and water.

Hart Owens visited site immediately and advised us that they would manage the claim on our behalf. They attended each meeting with the Loss adjusters, obtained the necessary details from us to enable them to calculate the loss of profit , documented this and then submitted the claim.

The Insurers were able to settle our claim and Hart Owens showed us how to project profit forward in order for us to obtain a satisfactory settlement

Throughout our relationship with Hart Owens, they have always been there to help us and keep us advised on Health & Safety matters and generally act to our benefit.

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