Insurer offers crisis support

by David Quainton , PR Week UK 01-May-08, 06:00

A business venture between insurer Hiscox and agency Chelgate will see the insurer offer its own clients crisis management support.

Corporate comms and PA agency Chelgate will be available to Hiscox clients that purchase additional cover under the scheme.

As soon as company directors or officers are aware of 'a claim or an insured event with a risk to reputation', Chelgate will be brought in to advise.

'The arrangement is very flexible,' said Chelgate executive V-P James Darley. 'Sometimes the situation will require little more than a few precautionary arrangements.

'At other times, we may be responding to a major and acute situation, demanding a team response.'

Up to £25,000 of costs can be drawn from the crisis comms service.

This limit will 'provide for the great majority of cases', said Hiscox. However, if the ceiling is exceeded, the insured party can continue to use Chelgate's services at the same specially agreed rate.

'Business people today face risks at almost every turn,' said Chelgate chairman Terence Fane-Saunders.