(PRWEB UK) 28 February 2013

Personal accident insurance specialist novastris is making self-employed workers in the agriculture sector aware of a new report that has highlighted the industry as one of the most dangerous of any major employment sector in the United Kingdom.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that more than 500,000 people are employed in traditional farming and up to 250,000 in the wider land-based industry sectors. The industry is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with self-employed workers making up a steady proportion of this workforce.

Research carried out by the HSE in the agriculture sector over the period 1999-2009 showed that 56 per cent of total fatal accidents happened to self-employed workers.

The report indicated that fatal incidents and non-fatal injuries occur in the industry for a range of reasons including technological factors due to working in natural technologically hazardous environments, environmental reasons such as time (daylight hours) and weather pressures and economic/financial causes which may result in a lack of investment to equipment.

With a significant proportion of agricultural workers self-employed - and therefore without any immediate protection from an employer - an unexpected loss of earnings due to accident or death could have a catastrophic effect on family finances.

Loss of income could put the family home at risk if the rent or mortgage cannot be paid. It could also mean having to cut back on other essentials. Yet despite the risk many agricultural workers still do not take out personal accident insurance.

New insurance provider novastris has addressed this problem by offering self-employed workers in the agriculture sector affordable personal accident insurance that can be purchased online quickly and without any fuss. For example at novastris, the cost of a policy for a 28-year-old self-employed farm worker would start at £2.44 per month, providing accidental death cover with a tax free cash lump sum payment of £10,000.

novastris director Steve Nickerson said, “Our research shows that many people working in agricultural professions find it difficult to access an insurance policy online that will give them immediate protection.

“If they do find a suitable service, because of the ‘high risk’ associated with their job they may need to be ‘referred’, making it harder for them to purchase insurance. With busy lives, if something’s not easy to buy it gets forgotten or left until later – which might be too late.

“With a large proportion of agricultural workers self-employed, we wanted to address this problem by giving workers access to a personal accident insurance policy that they can buy online instantly.

“And because it offers cover for many agricultural roles with no need for referral it means agricultural workers can obtain invaluable financial protection and support should they be unable to work for a period of time, due to accident or injury. Or, should the worst happen their family are financially supported in the case of accidental death.”

Optional extra benefits include permanent total disablement cover, extended disablement cover, cover for home alterations to increase accessibility, funeral expenses cover, cover for dependents in the event of the insured’s injury or death cover, bereavement package to support immediate family members by covering the cost of counselling sessions.

Mr Nickerson added, “Our goal is to give agricultural workers financial protection that is easily accessible for themselves and their families at very little cost. novastris personal accident cover can be purchased online in a matter of minutes with only the highest risk professions requiring a referral.”

   •  Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/hsagriculture.htm, February 2013

ABOUT NOVASTRIS

novastris Insurance Services Limited is a team of experienced insurance specialists providing tailored insurance solutions to the Financial Services and Affinity Group sectors.

novastris Insurance Services is part of the novastris Insurance Group providing insurance solutions directly to personal clients through novastris Insurance Services Limited and to the wider insurance market through Novastris Underwriting Limited.

Our personal mission is to differentiate ourselves by constantly innovating in the field of product development, competitive pricing and quality of service delivery and to treat each client relationship as a long term, mutually beneficial working relationship.

CONTACT NOVASTRIS

novastris Insurance Services Limited, Thorncroft Manor, Thorncroft Drive, Dorking Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8JB.

For further information please contact Wendy Harrison or Jenny Thorneywork at the novastris Press Office at HSL on 020 8977 9132 or via email wendy(at)harrisonsadler(dot)com and jenny(at)harrisonsadler(dot)com

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