To address any questions you may have about our recent system change, we have compiled an extensive list of FAQs.

Of course, if you find that your question is not answered below, please don't hesitate to contact one of the xbroker team on 029 2080 8963 and they'll be happy to help.


Why are you changing your identity and upgrading your software system? 

Will I still have my pipeline quotes?

Will my previous pipeline quotes be carried over to the new system?

Will the pipeline quote information need to be validated prior to proceeding with cover?

Will I be able to cancel policies online?

Will I need training with regards to the changes that are taking place?

How will these changes affect my business and the way I transact business?

Will I be able to transact business out of business hours?

Will I be able to transact new business, mid-term adjustments and renewals immediately?

Will I be able to download point of sale documentation in the same manner as I do on the current system?

Will I have full control over quoting and processing both new features; mid-term adjustments and renewals? 

How will these appear on my monthly account statements? 

Do I need any new software to use the upgraded online quote system? 

How do I find out more?

Why are you changing your identity and upgrading your software system?

We are rebranding ourselves as xbroker.com and upgrading our software system in order keep up with the demands in our ever changing industry. 

Will I still have my pipeline quotes?

Yes, but this is now called ‘manage quotes & policies’.

Will my previous pipeline quotes be carried over to the new system?

As a result of the system upgrade, any pre- February the 1st 2010 pipeline quotes will be saved externally on our in-house system. This is due to the significant upgrade in technology; however xbroker account executives will be on hand to process all previous quotes. 

Will the pipeline quote information need to be validated prior to proceeding with cover?

Yes, in order to ensure that all information is correct and accurate, all quotes will need to be re-quoted. However all existing information will be saved and stored on the system. 

Will I be able to cancel policies online?

No, the new facility will not provide a facility whereby you will be able to cancel policies online. This will be managed in house by our cancellations department.

Will I need training with regards to the changes that are taking place?

No training will be required, however should you require any assistance then one of our dedicated account handlers will be able to resolve your enquiry efficiently.

How will these changes affect my business and the way I transact business?

You will have full control and access to your online policies where you will be able to quote and transact new business, mid-term adjustments and renewals.

Will I be able to transact business out of business hours?

Yes, our website facility is accessible 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You will be able to transact new business policies, mid-term adjustments and renewals without any interruptions during this period. 

Will I be able to transact new business, mid-term adjustments and renewals immediately?

Yes, any policy that has been renewed or purchased after the 1st of February 2010 will have full online functionality in ‘real time’, allowing brokers to transact business 24/7.

Will I be able to download point of sale documentation in the same manner as I do on the current system?

Point of sale documentation will be still be available, however in order to provide a more secure method of issuing documentation, quotation summaries, policy schedules and employers liability certificates will be e-mailed across immediately, as soon as a policy is quoted or purchased online.

Will I have full control over quoting and processing both new features; mid-term adjustments and renewals?

Yes, our system will enable you to have a ‘self service’ functionality allowing you to quote and proceed with all mid-term adjustments and renewals.

How will these appear on my monthly account statements?

New business, mid-term adjustments & renewals will appear on your accounts as previous on your monthly statement.

Do I need any new software to use the upgraded online quote system?

No you do not need any new software to use the upgraded system, however we recommend upgrading to the latest web browser so you can take full advantage of the new quote system. Please visit http://www.xbroker.com/accessibility/web-browsers.aspx to download the latest browsers.

How do I find out more?

You can contact one of our dedicated team members who will be on hand to assist on 029 2080 8963. Alternatively you can e-mail us on feedback@xbroker.com.

We trust business is thriving and you have had a promising start to 2010.

From our experience in trading as xbroker, we have identified what can make a business a success and xbroker is proud to be of service to the broker community with its online portal.

We are pleased to bring to you from February a new and improved xbroker that we trust will allow you to enhance your business further.

In February and through 2010 will see the delivery of xbroker ‘advantage’.

xbroker relaunch:

• New products - will be available to you in the next few weeks. Our exclusive Groupama Goods in Transit Courier scheme has been improved and enhanced. It will no longer be limited on a pound per kilo basis, but will provide cover on a flat all risks sums insured basis.

             Additional products coming soon include:

             Arista Tradesman Liability;
             MMA Retail;
             Brit Insurance Retail.

• Online MTAs – we will bring you the ability to manage your policies allowing access to live records, create quotes and proceed with MTAs, saving time and allowing you to have full control over your clients.
  
  
• Online Renewals – access to renewals online where you will be able to accept amend and re-quote a renewal. This gives you full control, allowing you to streamline the process and provide online renewals.
  
  
• Referral Overrides – these system changes will enable us to manually override policy referrals which will result in you being able to maintain online control of the policy and to issue policy documentation yourself.
  
  
• Multiple broker accounts - multiple logins allowing you multiple access
  
  
• Increased security - xbroker is increasing its security, all passwords will now be case sensitive and all existing passwords will be lower case.
  
  
• Continuous System developments. Our new system will also allow us to e-mail new business presentation packs which can be forwarded on to the client at quote stage, when purchasing new business, processing mid-term adjustments and also renewals. xbroker will continue to transact business by offering the dedicated service you have come to expect.

For more information please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. Alternatively, if you have any other questions about the changes or would like to discuss a product please feel free to contact us on 029 2080 8963 or e-mail us at sales@xbroker.com.

UK brokers should make their clients aware of heightened risks following new draft guidelines for the Corporate Manslaughter Act, a leading publication has said.

Professional Broking magazine examined the impact that proposed changes to the Act could have on brokers and their clients. It said that the new guidelines are set to be finalised in the New Year after a period of consultation.

The Corporate Manslaughter Act sets out the conditions of pursuing companies and organisations for gross failures in the management of health and safety with fatal consequences. Under the new guidelines, serious health and safety failures may result in far more weighty punishments for firms than before.

This has serious implications for brokers, who will need to ensure that their clients’ carry enough insurance to cover the worst of scenarios. Although insurance will generally not cover the fines themselves, the legal defence costs of these types of disputes are likely to be extremely high - and these can be covered.

One potential change is that companies in breach of the Corporate Manslaughter Act will be fined in excess of £500,000. Also, it has been put forward that organisations found guilty of lesser health and safety offences leading to death should be fined at least £100,000.

While policy-makers thought about directly linking the size of fines to the size of companies, the different financial setups of organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors has made this too difficult. This means that smaller businesses are left particularly vulnerable to the new guidelines if they go ahead.

And larger firms do not escape punishment, either. Publicity orders, which will highlight a company’s failings after being found guilty, are likely to be introduced for all offending businesses. The size of the press advertisement will be dictated by the size of the company, and it is likely notices will need to be displayed on the offender’s website for three months too.

Brokers will need to bear all of these points in mind when serving their clients. If the new guidelines do come into force, many more businesses will have to consider upgrading their policies to ensure they are appropriately covered.

Season’s Greetings!

Over the Christmas period, the xbroker team will be taking a short break to spend some well-earned time with their families.

Our Christmas opening times are:

December 2009

Thursday 24th Friday 25th Saturday 26th Sunday 27th Monday 28th Tuesday 29th Wednesday 30th Thursday 31st

9am – 1pm Closed Closed Closed Closed 9am – 4pm 9am – 4pm Closed

January 2010

Friday 1st

Closed

If you have any questions about our Christmas opening hours, please don't hesitate to contact us on 029 2080 8963 or by e-mailing sales@xbroker.com.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for what has been an excellent year and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

xbroker are pleased to announce that MMA have discounted their rates for the exclusive xbroker Tradesman Liability policy.

The following trades will benefit from the rate reduction:

Carpet Fitters Ceiling Contractors & Ceiling Tiler Wall Tiler Conservatory & Porch Erectors Contract Cleaning Curtain & Blind Fitters Domestic Appliance Engineer Exhibition Stand Erector Fencing Contractors Flooring Contractor

Furniture Installers Garage & Shed Erectors Kitchen installer Loft Conversions/Insulation Partitioning Contractors Plumbers Property Maintenance & Repair Sign Installer Stone Mason (Must be non Monumental)

This rate reduction will lead to more competitive quotes which in turn will allow you to write more business. If you have any questions about the rate reduction, please feel free to phone us on 029 2080 8911 or e-mail us at sales@xbroker.com.

If you are not yet an xbroker member and would like to take advantage of these exclusive offers click here to register.