Tailored insurance solutions for two Chamber members

As proud members and close partners of the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce, Howden is committed to delivering bespoke insurance solutions to fellow Chamber members across a diverse range of industries – all from our office in Derby.

Recently, we welcomed two new clients and successfully arranged tailored insurance programmes to meet their specific needs. The first, Client A, is a Nottingham-based interior design firm. The second, Client B, is a Leicester-based manufacturer specialising in aromatherapy products. While these businesses operate in distinctly different sectors, our approach remained consistent: we took the time to understand their operations and crafted insurance solutions aligned with their unique risk profiles.

Understanding the risks

Client A joined the Chamber and took advantage of our complimentary insurance review service, available to all members. Our assessment uncovered several critical gaps in their existing cover that left the business vulnerable to significant losses, including:

• No protection for work conducted off-site
• Lack of woodworking cover
• Absence of Business Interruption insurance
• Missing Professional Indemnity and Management Liability cover

In addition, Client A expressed concern over rising insurance premiums, which seemed disproportionate given their recent downsizing from two premises to one – a change that should have reduced their overall risk exposure. They also shared broader business challenges, including a shortage of skilled labour, supply chain disruptions, and increasing operational costs. Our tailored insurance programme addressed many of these concerns, providing both reassurance and practical support in a rapidly evolving business environment.

Client B first engaged with us during the East Midlands Chamber Manufacturing Conference, where Howden proudly participated as a key sponsor. What began as a casual conversation at our exhibition stand quickly developed into a deeper discussion about their insurance needs and risk management priorities. 
This led to a comprehensive review of their existing cover, during which our team identified several areas for improvement:

• Significant underinsurance, requiring a 226 per cent increase in cover to protect the business properly 
• No AICOW (Additional Increased Cost of Working) cover – critical for manufacturers unable to fulfil customer orders
• No protection for free-issue customer packaging stored on-site
• Inadequate liability limits, which have since been increased
• A property owner’s policy that failed to reflect tenant activities due to incomplete broker disclosures
• A low-cost cyber policy that did not meet the business’s actual needs

Delivering value and confidence

For both clients, we delivered tailored insurance programmes that not only ensured robust protection in the event of a claim but also provided excellent value for the level of cover secured. Our locally-focused and responsive service demonstrated that Howden’s role extends far beyond placing policies. We build lasting relationships founded on trust, transparency, and professional insight.

Crucially, all arrangements were finalised well ahead of renewal deadlines, giving both clients the clarity and confidence to make informed decisions without pressure.

Tailored protection starts with a conversation; book your free review anytime.