Personal Accident Insurance Provider, novastris, Targets Construction Industry with New Product

PR Web

(PRWEB UK) 21 March 2013

Personal accident insurance specialist novastris has launched an innovative new product aimed at protecting workers in the construction industry after latest results revealed that the sector accounts for 22 per cent of fatal injuries to employees.

A new report by the Health and Safety Executive* shows that although there have been a significant reduction in the number and rate of injuries in construction over the last 20 years, it still remains a high-risk sector.

The construction industry makes up five per cent of employees in Britain with 10 per cent accounting for reported major injuries. Late payments also plague the sector resulting in pressure on the self-employed, small companies, consultants and engineers.

With a significant proportion of construction workers self-employed, and therefore without any immediate protection from an employer, an unexpected loss of earning 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 construction workers do not take out personal accident insurance. New personal accident cover provider novastris discovered this was because workers could not purchase suitable cover online easily or quickly.

However builders, bricklayers, scaffolders and many more can now buy personal accident insurance at http://www.novastris.com within minutes using a simple online quotation process tailored to their occupation at an affordable monthly premium.

The policy includes accidental death cover to a maximum of £250,000 subject to gross annual income and permanent and temporary disablement cover. It means workers can benefit from a tax free cash sum or a weekly benefit should they unable to work because of an accident.

novastris director Steve Nickerson said: “Accidents at work are obviously a huge risk for construction workers with an estimated 0.6 million working days lost due to work-related injuries in the construction sector.

“But, it’s not just work-related accidents that can threaten the livelihood of construction workers. An accident in the home, on the road – even while playing football on a Sunday morning – can stop a self-employed worker earning. And that could have serious consequences for their family.

“Our research shows that many people working in construction find it difficult to access an insurance policy online that will give them immediate protection.

“And even 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 construction workers self-employed, we wanted to address this problem by giving access to a personal accident insurance policy that they can buy online within minutes.

“And because it offers cover for many construction roles with no need for referral, it means construction 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.

“The novastris goal is to give construction workers financial protection that is easily accessible for themselves and their families at very little cost.”

The cost of a novastris personal accident insurance policy for a 28-year-old self-employed construction worker, for example, starts at £3.22 per month, providing accidental death cover with a tax free cash lump sum payment of £10,000.**

Optional extra benefits include:

   •     Permanent total disablement
   •     Extended disablement cover
   •     Cover for home alterations to increase accessibility
   •     Funeral expenses
   •     Cover for dependants in the event of the insured’s injury or death
   •     Bereavement package to support immediate family members by covering the cost of counselling sessions

• Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/construction/index.htm, February 2013 ** Quote correct as of March 11, 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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