Buying or selling a house is one of the most important events in your life. There are lots of things to think about, and insurance is one of them. It is a good idea to get onto it early in order to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. We can help you through…
Recognised expert manufacturer of award-winning goods Hellers is a household favourite in New Zealand, producing over 3.5million sausages and over 1.5million slices of bacon every week. But operating technologically advanced production plants to the highest standards in the food manufacturing sector doesn’t come without risk, and for over 25 years Hellers has valued the advice of the Abbott Group in guiding their insurance decisions. Managing Director Nick Harris remembers how thorough his broker Derrick Abbott’s recommendations were but knew he wasn’t being oversold to. Nick, and founder Todd Heller, particularly value the Abbott Group’s honesty, integrity and attention to detail.
When business owner Jane (name withheld on request) required immediate surgery and postoperative treatment after a routine breast examination turned her life upside down, she was grateful that she had taken her broker Derrick Abbott’s advice when he suggested that she and her husband should have Key Person policies in place. Although Jane and her husband had originally considered the policy a “nice to have” rather than an essential, Derrick had politely insisted that the policy was important. Fortunately the policy turned out to be a highly worthwhile investment, enabling Jane time away from the business while she recovered and paying out sufficient funds to enable them to carry on without any financial worries.
When Phil Bowden was diagnosed with throat cancer less than three months after taking out a new health policy, his broker Derrick Abbott went into bat for him when his insurer refused to pay out. Derrick successfully argued with the insurer that delays in processing Phil’s medical checks had unnecessarily delayed the policy being put into place, and the policy was paid out in full. Sadly, Phil passed away in December 2006, but despite losing his friend and colleague, the strong business continuity policies Derrick had also recommended meant that Phil’s business partner Alan was able to buy out Phil’s share and continue trading.
“The relationship I have with Abbotts has proven invaluable since the fire that totally destroyed our home and contents a few years back”. Mike Moore, Sharp Glass Services. After the fire, Mike found that the sound advice given to him by his broker Scott Sheridan had ensured that he had excellent home and contents cover and he was able to replace his home with a new house of his choosing. When issues arose with Mike’s insurer during the process of settling the claim, his Abbotts broker provided strong support and advocacy that resulted in the full entitlement being paid.
When Dee and Rob Penney were in a motor scooter accident while holidaying on the Greek island of Corfu, Dee was left with a severed artery and tendons while Rob was knocked unconscious. Fortunately, the travel cover their broker Scott Sheridan had put in place enabled them to be transferred to a brand new private clinic in Corfu town where they received excellent treatment, and they were flown back to New Zealand in first class seats once they received medical clearance. Scott visited them at home on their return and handled the claim on their behalf, with the full settlement paid directly into their bank account soon after.
For 18 years Rick Armstrong has trusted broker Derrick Abbott’s advice for all his insurance needs. The insurance liabilities for a prestige car business with six branches nationwide go beyond the usual. There’s motor cover for a large number of unnamed drivers for high value vehicles, the risk of damage to a customer’s car in the workshop, or theft from someone failing to return a valuable vehicle from a test drive. Normal building and premises insurance is needed and staff have travel and medical insurances as well as key person protection. Rick still appreciates the direct contact he has with his broker and says Derrick works as hard now to deliver cost effective insurance cover as he did at the start.
With their character building and home for the last 26 years badly damaged after the earthquake of 4 September 2010, ASKO’s owner Graham Marshall was thankful he had taken out earthquake insurance on the recommendation of his Abbott broker Scott Sheridan two years earlier. Scott’s tireless work to get temporary beams erected just 48 hours after the quake, allowed ASKO staff to rescue their precious stock before the building’s demolition. His efforts ensured ASKO could reopen their business and continue trading as quickly as possible.
Max Bremner’s portfolio of freehold hospitality outlets was hit hard by the Christchurch earthquakes, with millions of dollars of damage and disruption. One of the worst hit properties was the busy Speights Ale House on Bealey Avenue, where the visitor accommodation was completely destroyed and will take over 18 months to rebuild. Fortunately Max had full confidence that he was comprehensively covered due to the advice of his insurance advisor Derrick Abbott, enabling him to focus on the important tasks of rebuilding, relocating and recovering his business.
Disaster struck when an unexpected tropical cyclone completely levelled Construction Holdings’ company Apollo Projects’ 8000 sqm storage facility at Marsden Point, Auckland part way through the build. Despite the insurance having been taken out through another broker, Construction Holdings asked Abbott Group broker Stuart Speirs to pursue the claim on their behalf. Stuart travelled to Auckland several times to meet with underwriters and his assistance with the claim was instrumental in reaching a successful settlement. Abbott Group have since become Construction Holdings’ insurer of choice.