Essential risk management & insurance advice during the Covid-19 pandemic The coronavirus pandemic is undoubtedly causing significant strain on every business in the removals and storage industry. It is crucial, however, that you make every effort to protect your assets, as a loss at this time could also put your business in jeopardy. During times of mass unemployment, economic recession/strain, and school holidays, it is an unfortunate reality that arson, theft and malicious damage crime rates increase. Indeed, two supermarket delivery vans were subject to an arson attack less than an hour after the Prime Minister issued the 'lockdown' order. We advise the following measures be put in place to ensure your vehicles, customers' goods in storage, buildings and other assets are as safe as possible. Vehicle Storage Advice If you have access to a storage facility or other warehouse with available space, there will be the temptation to park vehicles inside. Remember, while parking vehicles inside may reduce the likelihood of theft and vandalism, it will not remove exposure to fire. If you do park any vehicles inside, you must ensure that the vehicle batteries are disconnected, and tanks fully drained of fuel. If you park vehicles outside, you should allow as much separation as possible, as this will reduce the likelihood of fire spreading between vehicles, and park the vehicles away from any buildings. Customers' Goods in Store / Other Business Assets Continuing storage charges will support your business through periods where other sources of revenue are uncertain. If your storage premises are subject to a significant loss during this time, not only will this vital revenue be lost, but, if you own your building, you could also face losing your most valuable asset. You should ensure any building you own or lease and any stored [...]

Basil Fry & Company reaches its 50-year milestone As it enters its 50th year in business in 2020, specialist insurance broker and BAR Affiliate Basil Fry & Company takes stock of the successes it has achieved in the removals and self storage sectors through delivering top-quality customer service with an innovative twist. In 1970, after becoming disillusioned with his fellow directors at the City of London brokerage where he worked, Basil Edward Fry decided to launch an insurance business from his home in Surrey that would concentrate solely on the removals industry. On 9 July of that year Basil E. Fry & Company was incorporated. Basil drew up a document titled “Fry’s business plans for the 70s (and no longer!)”, which set out the future aims of his new company. His plan was to continue to service the insurance requirements of certain members of the National Association of Furniture Warehousemen and Removers (NAFWR) and the British Association of Overseas Furniture Removers (BAOFR) – which were to amalgamate in 1972 to become the BAR – as well as those of the Road Haulage Association (RHA). Basil had already built himself a reputation in the sector for his exceptional advice on terms and conditions of contract. In a special supplement to the August 1967 issue of this magazine he wrote an article headed “Problems relating to the revision of conditions”, which began with the word “Gentlemen.” While times may have changed drastically since then, Basil Fry & Company’s philosophy and approach to service have not. For instance, the very same leatherbound file in which Basil chose to record the names of all his clients is still used for this purpose today. The first entrant in the book is BAR Founder Member White & Company, for whom Basil Fry & Company still provides [...]

Amy King, Gambia and helping to build for charity (BACE) In March 2020 Basil Fry’s Claims Director, Amy King travelled to Gambia with BACE (Building and Assisting Communities with Education). This charity was formed to help children in rural communities in The Gambia access education and health services. Their first project was in 2011 when BACE Volunteers and the local community of Bonsa built the Favour Preparatory Nursery School. This year, Amy and her group of volunteers were tasked with building a store room for the medical centre (attached), tile the eating area for the children (attached) and paint the walls of the compound to create murals for the children. Amy described her experience as an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience and made her realise how lucky we are in the UK compared to other areas across the globe. She would recommend the experience to anyone. MD, Greg Wildman commented ‘I’d like to congratulate Amy on doing such a valuable thing for those less fortunate than ourselves and everyone at Basil Fry can’t praise her enough for completing the trip  - Well Done Amy!’ Back to News and Articles Amy King, Gambia and helping to build for charity (BACE) In March 2020 Basil Fry’s Claims Director, Amy King travelled to Gambia with BACE (Building and Assisting Communities with Education). This charity was formed to help children in rural communities in The Gambia access education and health services. Their first project was in 2011 when BACE Volunteers and the local community of Bonsa built the Favour Preparatory Nursery School. This year, Amy and her group of volunteers were tasked with building a store room for the medical centre (attached), tile the eating area for the children [...]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Announcement The health and wellbeing of our staff and clients is always our priority. Since the end of March and the Government’s initial announcements our staff have been working from home. They have been using remote-working facilities to ensure our broking and claims services have continued as normal during this time. We have been completing client reviews by phone & video calls and for the foreseeable future face to face client visits are on hold. A number of staff are scheduled to return to the office week commencing June 1st, although to maintain social distancing many will continue to work remotely. Should you wish to contact us please call the usual office number which will either be answered in the office or redirected. Please see additional contact numbers below however for direct access to our various departments. The coronavirus pandemic is undoubtedly causing significant strain on your business. Please remember, however, that it is critical that you maintain insurance cover. It is important to note that, during times of mass unemployment, economic recession/strain and/or school holidays there is a significant increase in arson, theft and malicious damage crime. We strongly recommend that you maintain all of your insurance policies to ensure your business will be protected during this difficult time and will be able to recommence trading after the crisis is over. Usual Contact Telephone Numbers – Redirected Broking – General Enquiries +44 (0) 1372 385 985 Claims RCS – Customers’ Goods Claims              +44 (0) 1372 385 970 Broking Claims (all other claims) +44 (0) 1372 385 998 Accounts Enquiries +44 (0) 1372 385 987 Additional Contact Telephone Numbers Please see below for additional contact telephone numbers which you may use to contact some members of [...]