Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has put forward legislation which means travel insurance would be mandatory for all visitors to the country. It is now awaiting approval from the country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry before being sent to cabinet. We take a look at some of your burning questions pending the decision.

Why is it being considered? 
This legislation has been put forward following a series of tragedies affecting tourists in Thailand. In 2018, a boat accident killed 47 Chinese tourists off the coast of Phuket and in December of the same year, their highways were again highlighted as ‘the most lethal in south-east Asia’ when a record number of road-related deaths were recorded. In 2015 there was a 54% increase in tourist deaths in the country and in 2018 the foreign office warned of a high terror threat in the country.

It is hoped this new ruling will encourage tourists to continue to visit Thailand by reassuring them they will always have financial protection in place.

When will it come into force?
All going to plan, it is anticipated that this legislation will come into force later this year.

How much will it cost?
The compulsory cover comes at a nominal fee of 52p – or 20-baht – which will be paid by travellers at the airport. This premium will go toward funding insurance pay-outs made following the rollout of the legislation.   

What will it cover me for? 
Once a tourist has purchased this insurance, they will be covered in the event of death up to the amount of £26,000 or 1m baht.

What will happen if I don’t take it out?
As the fee is paid at the airport upon entering Thailand, it seems that taking out this insurance will be a pre-requisite before leaving the airport.

Is this the only insurance I will need?
As the purpose of this policy is to cover tourists in the event of death, you should consider taking out further travel insurance to account for other factors. Nel Mooy, head of travel insurance at Axa reinforces this sentiment, warning tourists not to rely on this cover alone when travelling into Thailand. The policy doesn’t account for accident or illness and won’t protect travellers leading up to their trip.

Wherever you’re travelling to this year, it’s worth your while finding an insurance policy that suits you and the nature of your trip. At Paterson Insurance Brokers, our friendly team can help you get covered for high-risk activities, cancellation, medical expenses and much more, so you can travel with back-up in place. Should you need it, we will also help you with making a claim. 

We’ve all fallen victim to lunch al desko from time to time when we have a lot to do, but don’t let this become part of your daily routine. 

Avoiding taking regular breaks at work can not only be detrimental to your physical health, but also to your mental wellbeing. Try tearing your eyes away from the computer screen and take some time out for yourself over your lunch hour. This will not only help you rack up some steps on your step counter, but it can also increase your ability to concentrate and get the most out of your work performance.

Let’s look at some ideal lunchtime workouts you can do to get you motivated.

• Go for a walk

Walking regularly can reduce your risk of a stroke and heart disease by helping to regulate blood pressure. Don’t worry if it’s just a quick stroll around the building, as scientists at Essex University found that our emotional wellbeing is boosted significantly with as little as five minutes of outdoor exercise.

• Find a gym that’s close to work

If you have a gym either in or close to your workplace, lunchtime is a great opportunity to fit in a quick workout. If you find it’s usually busy over the lunch period, why not try bodyweight workouts on a mat? This way, you don’t need to wait around for equipment. HIIT training classes are also a great way to get an effective workout in a short space of time. 

• Get running

With the right preparation, taking a lunchtime run is a great way to release endorphins and crank up some energy for the remainder of your day at work.  If your office doesn’t have a shower, freshen up with a flannel and a small towel. Finish off with a quick spritz of deodorant and voila! 

• Find a staircase

OK, we’re not suggesting you do this in your busy workplace staircase, but if you can find a quieter area in your building or even park steps, a staircase workout is an ideal way to work up a sweat over your lunch period. Combine running, walking and lunging up and down the stairs to optimise your workout. 

• Seek out classes

Sometimes your work will offer classes over lunch or discounts for popular classes nearby. Classes such as Pilates and yoga can help strengthen both your body and your mind, giving you some much needed time to recharge before you return to work. 

Does your place of work encourage lunchtime activity? Or is there a culture of desk dining? With over 55% of UK workers choosing to eat their lunch at their desks, something needs to give. Research shows that not taking lunch away from your desk can lead to increased stress, a lack of productivity in the afternoon and overall frustration.

What can businesses do? 

With physically active employees shown to take 27% less sick days than non-active employees, it’s worth making changes to encourage employees to get up and out on their lunch break. Try offering a company discount for your local gym, hold lunchtime classes in any unused areas of the building or advertise any nearby classes on your intranet. You could also launch an incentive such as a competition to see which colleague can rack up the most steps in a day or raise money for charity through different lunchtime activities. 

A healthy workplace is a productive workplace and as a business owner, you can encourage the required changes necessary to ensure your employees remain healthy and happy. Similarly, if you haven’t already got health insurance for your employees, this may be something you want to consider. To talk about your options, give our friendly team a call on 0113 8314024.

According to a study conducted by Simply Business, almost half of small business owners cancel social plans at least once a week because they are too busy with work-related matters and 25% have fallen ill due to stress and overwork. As a small business owner, it can be easy to fall into the trap of being stuck in ‘work mode’ but it’s important to look after yourself to avoid an inevitable burn out. We take a look at some tips that may help you reach a happy equilibrium between your work and personal life.

Take a techno-free hour
Set aside an hour of every evening to turn off your phone and any other technology where you can truly take time out for yourself without any distractions. Don’t be tempted to sit and scroll through social media and pass that off as downtime, either. It will be all too tempting to check your emails or pick up a message.

Keep doing what you love
Whether it’s spending time with your family, taking long walks, playing sports or something else, it’s important to make time for your hobbies and interests as a small business owner. While it may be difficult in the first few years of operation to take extended time off, there’s no reason why you can’t take an extended lunch break with your friend or enjoy a quiet afternoon walking the dog. It’s easy to forgo these things for a seemingly endless list of tasks to complete but with good timekeeping and prioritisation, it’s possible to have the best of both worlds. 

Build a support network
Running a small business can sometimes be incredibly isolating, and that’s not just for those who work alone. It can be difficult if you have nobody to work through challenges with or bounce ideas off. To tackle this, there are many networks of small businesses across the UK where you can network with other like-minded entrepreneurs and build up your list of industry contacts. Try to schedule in a meeting at least once a week with a mentor, a close friend or relative, no matter how informal, to get any worries off your chest.

Schedule your day
While many believe that setting your own hours is a major perk of being a business owner, it can prove detrimental to your mental health if not done effectively. Schedule your day with set times to wake up, have lunch and clock out for the day. Within your schedule, don’t forget to take time out, whether that’s in your lunch break or through a series of small, regular breaks. If you work from home, you have the added benefit of playing to your strengths. If you’re not a morning person, push your working schedule into the afternoon and use the morning to kick back and look after yourself.

Avoid overburdening your schedule
It can be tempting to want to take on anything and everything when you’re running your own business because at the end of the day, who can do it better than you? Yet one of the key skills of effective management is effective delegation. Consider at what you’re doing now and decide what it is that only you can do and what you can outsource or delegate to others. This will free up your time to work on important tasks and make some time for yourself.

If you’re worried about your insurance and feel overwhelmed at the number of options available to you, Paterson Insurance Brokers are here to help. After having a chat with you to find out the nature of your business and what you need from your cover, we will find a policy that meets your unique requirements. We won’t bombard you with jargon or brush over the small print. We’ll talk you through exactly what you need to know so you can focus on growing your business. Call us on 0113 8314024 to book your free insurance review. 

Owning a second home is a multi-faceted venture. It can be a getaway for you and your family when Blighty gets the better of you, providing winter sun or summer shade. For business heads, house ownership is a solid investment regardless of what you plan on doing with it. You can rent it out in the meantime, or keep it unoccupied, ready for your use as and when you please.

As well-known holiday home insurance brokers, we get lots of questions on second and holiday home ownership, so have put together a little Q&A to help with the most common problems.

Q: I haven’t decided where to buy my second home yet. Does location matter?
A: Aside from being a huge factor in your decision, location can mean everything for your insurance, too. Quieter, more secluded areas often pose a smaller chance of theft and other crimes. Flood risk areas naturally pose water damage issues, but it doesn’t mean we’re not able to include this in your policy. The key aspect is to find somewhere that suits you.

Q: Do I need second home insurance? / Can’t I just buy regular home insurance?
A: Whilst some policy features may overlap between the two policies (buildings and contents), the conditions are very different. Emptiness, theft and storm damage are insurers’ primary concerns when insuring second homes. As you won’t be around, you won’t be able to quash or minimise an issue, either.

Q: What happens if I just tell my insurer that I live full-time at my second home?
A: For your own sake, you should always be honest with your insurance company. If you’re not and something happens, your insurance company may be reluctant to pay out if it is deemed you withheld the truth. In turn, this could leave you with significant shortfalls to make up and your assets could even be in jeopardy.

Q: Can I let the property out?
A: Many of our clients rent their second home out over winter, summer or even the whole year. It’s advised you consider public liability insurance. This cover can pay for legal and compensation costs if, for example, your tenant falls in your premises and injures themselves due to your negligence or omission.

Q: Can I employ somebody to check over and clean my second home every so often?
A: That’s fine. In fact, we recommend it, as it could deter would-be criminals planning a burglary. If you do employ a member of staff, however, you’ll need employers’ liability to protect you and your employee. This is a legal requirement and it can cover legal and compensation costs in an incident was due to your negligence.

Q: What are some common ways to reduce the chance of a claim?
A: Having somebody go into your property can help drastically, even if it’s simply a family member or friend. Keep the property looking ‘lived-in’, ensure gates, doors and windows are locked and secure. It’s worth checking your policy document as some insurers demand you use a specific type of key.

Q: Is there anything else I should look out for?
A: Take necessary precautions in relation to the location of your second home. For instance, if it’s very cold during the winter months, consider insulating your pipes. If there’s lots of rain, ensure drainage systems have no chance of becoming blocked. If your home is abroad and experiences unpredictable or extreme weather, try to plan for this where possible.

We have considerable experience in providing second home insurance, as well as an array of other policies, and are more than happy to answer any other query you may have.

Give us a call on 0113 8314024 to speak with one of our team.

The importance of looking after your liver

This blog has been created in collaboration with Usay Compare, a top Private Health Insurance comparison service. You can find the original blog here.

The third leading cause of premature death in the UK is liver disease with a staggering 90% of liver disease being preventable. That’s right, 90% is preventable, or in other words the majority of liver disease can be avoided but do you know what the preventable causes are outside of alcohol? Why is the health of your liver so important? What lifestyle changes can you make to look after your liver and prevent liver disease?

We will be exploring healthy eating, exercise, and reducing alcohol intake to help you put practical steps in place to look after your liver. We have shared tips and guides in this blog post around lifestyle choices to look after your liver and keep your overall health in check.

Why is your liver health so important?

You may be surprised to learn that your liver has over 500 vital functions. This includes carrying out important jobs such as processing digested food and controlling fats and glucose in the blood. It also carries out less well-known, but still extremely important jobs, such as helping to combat infections by destroying bad bacteria. The liver plays a big part in keeping infections at bay, providing the body with vital energy, and storing essential vitamins and iron. This is just to name a few!

You may be aware that the liver can be forgiving in that it has the capacity to regenerate itself after damage has taken place. But that doesn't mean it can withstand endless damage and there comes a point where there is a limit to the damage it can endure. Diseases and certain exposures can ultimately lead to irreversible damage which can come from fatty liver disease and alcohol-related liver disease which has a number of stages.

Getting the balance right

It is not uncommon that many of us fall back off the wagon as we fall back into old habits, lose motivation, and start to over indulge more than we should. Lifestyle changes when it comes to your diet are ultimately more sustainable, easier to keep to, and less restrictive than you may initially think.

How does a balanced diet help with the health of your liver? Getting a good balance between enough nutrients and vitamins and keeping sugar, fat, and salt to small amounts keeps the risk down of fatty liver disease developing.

What does a balanced diet look like?

5 A day: the more vegetables and fruits the merrier when it comes to getting a sufficient amount of nutrients, fibre, and vitamins that your body needs. Aiming for 5 A day is the golden number but it can be hard if you are not sure of the quantities required for one portion. How much is needed for one portion? You will need 80g of fresh, canned, or frozen fruit or vegetables which would look like two heaped tablespoons of spinach for example. Top tip: dried fruit and vegetables in convenience foods and soups all count towards your 5 A Day.

Cutting down on sugar: as well as reducing the risk of fatty liver disease it will also reduce the risk of tooth decay and obesity. It is the added (or ‘free') sugar added to food and drinks that should be avoided or cut down on. Top tip: checking food and drink labels for sugar content will help you make informed choices. If you see above 22.5g of total sugars per 100g then the sugar content is high and for low sugars, it needs to be 5g or less. In real terms, it means less alcohol, sweets, chocolate, biscuits, cakes, fizzy drinks, and sugary breakfast cereal. The NHS provides support on less sugary alternatives to your favourite foods such as cereal.

What food and drink are good for liver health?

Liver healthy food: fruits with antioxidants are great for your liver health as they help to rid free radicals which can cause disease and damage your liver. What are the best fruits for antioxidants? Grapefruit has plenty of antioxidants along with vitamin C, and blueberries and cranberries are packed full of antioxidants. What are the best vegetables for liver benefits? Cruciferous vegetables are ideal as they help to protect liver from damage which include broccoli and brussels sprouts. There are plenty of delicious recipes for brussels sprouts on the BBC good food website to add flavour to them, and healthy dessert and breakfast recipes for blueberries.

Liver healthy drink: you may be very pleased to learn that your morning cup of coffee may just provide you with health benefits for your liver. A report published by the British Liver Trust includes evidence that drinking moderate amounts of coffee is linked to the prevention of liver cancer and to reduce the risk of conditions such as fibrosis and cirrhosis. It is of course important to consume coffee alongside a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated. However, it is great news that your daily coffee may just be contributing towards good liver health.

Moving towards good liver health

Incorporating exercise into your lifestyle is a key way to not only reduce levels of liver fat and ultimately disease, but helps to manage your weight and keep it at a healthy place. Added benefits include better quality sleep, brain function, and reduced anxiety and stress. Studies have linked exercise with improving fatty liver disease through decreasing fatty acid synthesis. Exercise is really important as it helps to prevent obesity which is a risk factor for liver disease.

Starting with small, manageable goals is the best way to go with exercise especially if you are starting to build it into your lifestyle. How much should you be exercising? The NHS guidelines recommends that adults should do 150 minutes of exercise in a week that includes moderate and/or vigorous intensity exercise. But what does moderate exercise look like? Brisk walking, dancing, and riding a bike all count as moderate exercise. What does vigorous exercise look like? Running, swimming, aerobics, and football all count as vigorous exercise. There are plenty of online classes available and even a short and gentle yoga class is a great place to start.

How Paterson Insurance Brokers can help keep you and your employees healthy

At Paterson Insurance Brokers, we know the private health medical industry inside and out and will work with you to find the right insurer and policy for Private Medical Cover. Want to know more? Get in touch on 0113 8314024.

Picture this: You're all set for your dream vacation, ready to explore historic landmarks, lounge in the sun, and immerse yourself in a new culture. But then, you find yourself stuck at the airport due to a flight delay. It's a frustrating situation that can disrupt your travel plans and lead to unexpected expenses. Fortunately, this is where travel insurance comes to the rescue.

Recent news of flight delays in the UK has left many jet-setters concerned about their upcoming journeys. While you can't control the weather or airline operations, you can protect your travel plans with the right insurance. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of travel insurance, especially in light of the recent flight delays in the UK, and how it can be your best companion when traveling abroad.

Understanding the Recent Flight Delays

Before diving into the importance of travel insurance, let's take a closer look at the recent flight delays in the UK. These delays are often caused by a variety of factors, including:

Weather Conditions: The UK's unpredictable weather can disrupt flight schedules. Fog, snow, heavy rain, and strong winds are just a few examples of weather-related challenges that can lead to delays.

Air Traffic Control Issues: Technical glitches or strikes within the air traffic control system can cause significant disruptions to flight schedules.

Operational Challenges: Airlines sometimes face operational difficulties such as crew shortages, maintenance issues, or aircraft availability problems, which can result in delays.

Security Concerns: Security threats or incidents can lead to flight cancellations or delays.

These factors, though beyond your control, can seriously impact your travel plans. So, what can you do to safeguard your journey? The answer lies in purchasing travel insurance.

The Importance of Travel Insurance

One of the primary benefits of travel insurance is its ability to provide financial protection. If your flight is delayed, cancelled, or rescheduled, you may incur additional expenses such as hotel accommodations, meals, and transportation. Travel insurance can cover these costs, ensuring you don't bear the financial burden. Other benefits include:

Trip Cancellation Coverage: In the unfortunate event that you need to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, injury, or a family emergency, travel insurance can help reimburse you for the non-refundable expenses you've already paid.

Emergency Medical Coverage: When traveling abroad, it's crucial to have coverage for unexpected medical expenses. Travel insurance often includes coverage for medical emergencies, ensuring you receive the necessary care without exorbitant bills.

Lost or Delayed Luggage: If your luggage is lost, stolen, or delayed, travel insurance can provide compensation for the essential items you need while waiting for your belongings to be located or replaced.

Travel Assistance: Some travel insurance policies come with 24/7 travel assistance services. This can be invaluable if you encounter problems while abroad, such as language barriers or locating medical facilities.

Choosing the Right Travel Insurance

Now that you understand the importance of travel insurance, here are some tips for selecting the right policy:

Coverage Needs: Assess your specific travel needs. Are you traveling with valuable items? Do you have pre-existing medical conditions? Tailor your insurance coverage accordingly.

Compare Policies: There’s not a one-size-fits-all Travel Insurance cover. It’s worth looking around for a policy that offers the coverage you need at a competitive price.

Read the Fine Print: Carefully review the policy terms and conditions to understand what is covered and any limitations or exclusions.

Purchase Early: Buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. This ensures you're covered for trip cancellation or interruption from the get-go.

At Paterson Insurance Brokers, we can help you get this right, just give us a call on 0113 8314024.

In a world where travel disruptions can happen unexpectedly, travel insurance provides peace of mind and financial protection. The recent flight delays in the UK serve as a reminder that even the most meticulously planned journeys can encounter hiccups. By investing in travel insurance, you're not just safeguarding your travel plans; you're also ensuring that your adventure abroad remains a memorable and enjoyable experience, regardless of any unforeseen challenges. So, before you jet off to your next destination, make sure you have the right travel insurance policy in place—it's your best companion for a worry-free journey.

You may have seen recent reports on the decision BT have made to remove their alarm signalling service, Redcare from the market by 1^st August 2025. This means that by the cut-off date next year, anyone who currently uses monitored electronic systems, such as automatic fire and security systems using a BT Redcare signalling product will now need to find an alternative solution.

What exactly are these changes?

BT Openreach, which manages the UK landline telephone network, will be replacing their traditional copper wire system and replacing it with digital technology, utilising fibre optic cables.

In most cases, Alarm Transmission Systems (ATS) that connect Intruder and Fire Alarms to Alarm Receiving Centres use a landline as a communication path. This digital switchover means that some signalling systems that rely on the traditional copper wire systems mentioned above may no longer function as reliably, or in many situations, at all.

We recommend you contact your current security systems provider, to see if these changes will impact you and understand their plans to check and upgrade their systems. If it does affect you, now is the time to start looking for any alternative arrangements for your security, ahead of the switch over dates, to ensure adequate security remains in place for your premises.

How can we help?

Intruder alarms are an essential security requirement for an insurance policy, and we want to help make sure you continue to have the correct measures in place. If you are making changes to your security, it is important you let us know so this is reflected in your policy.

At Paterson Insurance Brokers we are here to support you. Speak to us today if you have any questions on what this means for you and your cover. Get in touch on 0113 8314024.

Society is speaking out about mental health more than ever before in order to break down the stigma that has been attached with mental illness throughout history. Yet, in the construction industry, the majority of people still feel unable to speak out about their mental health.

Construction News has recently conducted a survey to determine the presence of mental health in the construction industry and the results speak for themselves. From the 1,300 participants who took part in the survey, 30% had taken time off due to mental health/stress issues, and nearly a quarter of them had considered taking their own life. The statistics are alarmingly high, but there seems to be little communication between employees and those in managerial positions, as 63% of these respondents did not tell their employer that their absence was due to mental health.

Whilst there are clearly numerous complex reasons why the industry feels unable to speak out about mental health, 81% of workers agreed that there is still a stigma attached to it. This is seen as one of the main barriers preventing workers from speaking out and getting the support they need from their employers.

Who is most affected?
The survey suggested that poor mental health is particularly prevalent in smaller companies and put this down to factors such as the pressure on delivering projects and chasing payments. These can, in turn, have a knock-on effect on the home lives of workers as if a payment is late, it can put an increased financial pressure on them. Working long, demanding hours in order to meet a deadline can put a huge strain on an employees’ work-life balance.

In a breakdown of the type of employee who is most affected by mental health in construction, the survey concluded that junior/graduate workers are the most severely affected, with 68% saying they’d experienced mental health issues.

Spot the signs
The Construction Financial Management Association has highlighted some signs which may indicate a potential change to someone’s mental health. These include factors such as lateness, decreased productivity, distraction, a lack of self-confidence, isolation from peers, appearing overwhelmed and a decreased problem-solving ability.

What can be done?
When heading up a construction company, there are steps you can take to help your workers combat mental health issues and encourage them to speak up about any struggles they are facing. Many companies are now offering mental health training, showing workers what to do if they’re experiencing mental health issues and are training up members of staff to act as mental health first-aiders. Speaking out about mental health in the workplace can help to reduce the stigma, so your aim should be to promote an open and safe workplace culture.

If you’re worried about someone you work with, reach out to your colleague and create a safe environment for them to open up. It’s best to remain aware of the sort of language you’re using and the way you speak about mental health. Don’t underestimate the power of your words or the actions you take, no matter how small.