HISCOX INSURANCE

PR as part of insurance cover for managements at risk

Chelgate is working with the leading insurer Hiscox to add crisis communications support to the benefits offered to its management liability policyholders facing trouble.

As soon as the directors or officers of an insured organisation are aware of a claim or the likelihood of an insured event posing a risk to reputation, they have instant access to Chelgate for advice and hands-on support – available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via a dedicated hotline: 0207 9397 999.

Chelgate, best known as a corporate communications and public affairs consultancy, was selected by Hiscox because of its particular expertise and experience in crisis and acute issue management.  This side of the firm’s business, offered within its Chelgate Confidential arm, is not so widely recognised for the very reason that its work is often sensitive and always confidential.  The firm is notedly low-profile and discreet, distinctively refusing to list its clients or even to announce appointments unless in clients’ specific interests.

This is a partnering venture from which all sides benefit.  Organisations with cover have immediate recourse to crisis containment specialists.  Hiscox underlines its competitive positioning for offering added value policies through this innovative extra service.  And Chelgate uses its experience in managing crises and acute issues – for governments, multinationals and small businesses, charities and schools, professional bodies and institutions, and prominent individuals – to assist an ever-broader spread of clients.

Tailored to the individual needs of each situation, Chelgate’s crisis communications services can be drawn upon up to £25,000 of costs.  Hiscox believes this limit provides for the great majority of cases, but if the ceiling has to be exceeded, the insured can continue to use Chelgate’s services at a specially agreed rate.  

James Darley, Chelgate executive vice-president responsible for the Hiscox assignment explained: “The arrangement is very flexible.  Sometimes the situation requires little more than a phone call or two, and a few precautionary arrangements.  At other times we may be responding to a major and acute situation, demanding a team response over a protracted period.”

Callum Taylor, the Hiscox underwriting manager who negotiated the deal, said:  “We recognise that crisis containment requires particular skills and resources, and in designating Chelgate as our specified consultancy, we know that we are ensuring that our clients have access to a true crisis communications specialist and a firm able to work alongside our clients in every sector, even those with their own PR arrangements.  

“This is an important added value service from which our clients benefit, and which we judge is cost-effective for us as the insurer.”

Terence Fane-Saunders, Chelgate’s chairman and chief executive commented:  “Business people today face new risks at almost every turn.  Crises, claims, and consequent risks to reputation, are a stark reality in any organisation.  Even in the best managed, things go wrong.  But the real challenge to reputation lies in the way an organisation responds.  

“Well-handled, a crisis can become an opportunity from which an organisation can emerge with its reputation actually enhanced.”

Click to view news release announcing the partnership.
Click to go to Chelgate's issues and crisis management page.