http://mapslegal.co.uk/blog/ en graham@three-tier.com Copyright 2011 2011-10-19T16:48:15+00:00 http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/client_retention_is_more_than_just_a_number http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/client_retention_is_more_than_just_a_number#When:13:03:27Z Understanding our clients need to retain their customer base, is just one of the reasons we win more new business every month. By maintaining excellent service standards, we give our clients the best possible support to make that retention easier at renewal. We are more than just a Legal Expenses company, we are truly interested in how the current economic climate creates problems for brokers. That is why, after nearly 18 years in the industry, we really value our broker clients, listening to their needs and incorporating our systems to make life simple, but also fully compliant. We truly believe that the days of the best bargain deals have gone, the one thing that will make you stand out from the rest is our passion and founding principal of providing exceptional, personal service. What is really stopping you using us as a benchmark? Why not send us a claim to put us to the test? Send your test claim through to claims@mapslegal.co.uk Or just give us a call on 08444 171 420 Insurance Brokers, 2013-06-03T13:03:27+00:00 http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/april_1st_isnt_just_april_fools_day http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/april_1st_isnt_just_april_fools_day#When:17:03:29Z April Fools' Day is celebrated in many countries on April 1 every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools' Day. April 1 is not a national holiday, but is widely recognised and celebrated as a day when people play practical jokes and hoaxes on each other. Unfortunately, the implementation on 1st April 2013 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) is no joke. What is LAPSO all about and what else is planned by the Government? A ban all personal injury referral fees. This affects Insurance Brokers, Insurance Companies, Solicitors, Claims Management Firms. Anyone who is regulated by the FSA, MOJ or SRA will be unable to pay or receive any form of payment or other consideration.   Lord Justice Jacksons' reforms are on track to be implemented from 1/4/2013 which include the introduction of one way cost shifting, removing recoverability of success fees and ATE insurance from the losing party and replacing with a 10% increase in general damages (personal injury compensation) for any claims which settle on or after 1/4/2013 provided they are not contingently funded; allowing solicitors to deduct from client compensation: 25% success fees (based on their costs) and 25% of client compensation under new damages based agreements.   Extending the claims portal to include for the first time employment and public liability claims. Increasing the number of RTA personal claims by including those valued up to £25k (current limit £10k). Government intended to implement from 1/4/2013 but has now decided to delay without giving any new timetable.   Reduce legal costs on most RTA personal injury claims from £1,200 to £500 - consultation on proposal ended 4/1/2013. Final decision date unknown but it is expected the government will implement changes from 1/4/2013   Increase small claims track limit for personal injury claims from £1,000 to £5,000. Consultation on this and alternative options ends 8/3/2013. Final decision date unknown.   What does this all mean? Innocent injured persons will have difficultly finding legal representation unless they agree to pay a quarter of their compensation towards their legal costs. If the small claims limit rises mighty insurers will be legally represented whilst the injured person will be expected to battle through the courts by themselves without any independent advice on the value of their claim. How will they know whether an offer from an insurer is appropriate? Insurance brokers will not be able to receive any income for referring injured clients to their legal expenses provider or claims management/law firm. Alternative Business Structures (ABS) are seen by many as a way around the ban but they are far from a solution. There is a significant backlog of ABS applications so new applicants may have to wait a year to be authorised and getting approval is very complex. The SRA has made it clear that it will not approve applications in respect of shell type ABS models. Therefore, a broker would need to find a solicitor willing to merge their business together under one ABS company. BTE premiums will rise because rates have been kept low by using referral fee income. Brokers will have to deal with uninsured loss recovery in-house or pay LEI providers a proper fee for a claims service. BTE insurers may withdraw from the market altogether because of very low profit margins. Many law firms will cease to exist and thousands of staff will lose their jobs across the personal injury industry. It will be impossible for law firms to acquire work in volume unless they spend heavily on advertising and direct marketing at a cost likely to be higher than they currently pay in referral fees. MAPS Solution: Continue with our robust business model based on delivering an exceptional personal service at very competitive rates to our customers. We continue to invest in ICT systems to maximise efficiency and ensure we have the edge over competitors. We are completely free of any debt - no loans or overdrafts. Our income is not reliant upon personal injury referral fees or ATE premiums. We only provide BTE Legal Expenses cover and a proper uninsured loss recovery service with considerable expertise in dealing with commercial claims. Talk to us about how we can help your organisation. You can contact us here.   Insurance Brokers, 2013-01-31T17:03:29+00:00 http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/new_products_launched http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/new_products_launched#When:15:40:58Z Maps has launched two new products to add to its existing portfolio of Motor & Family Legal Protection, Keycare and Breakdown Cover. For more information about the cover and policy benefits of the two new products click below. Home Emergency Excess Protection Insurance Brokers, 2012-09-26T15:40:58+00:00 http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/Moving_on_up http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/Moving_on_up#When:19:37:21Z On the 6th of August we will be moving out of our Manchester office. But we are not going far! We are moving up a level to the brand new 5th floor.   Our Manchester office is currently on the 4th floor but we now need three times more space following our successful expansion plans and the growth of new business. Although we are growing we remain fully committed to providing exceptional personal service. Office Gossip, 2012-07-31T19:37:21+00:00 http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/brokers_move_to_maps http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/brokers_move_to_maps#When:20:09:29Z Brokers are moving to Maps because we are different. The start to 2012 has been very busy for the Maps team with several new accounts secured. Sales Director Deirdre Tattersall commented "Our goal is to develop lasting relationships with brokers who share our values and vision. We are delighted to have been chosen to work with some really fantastic organisations. Our success stems from our ability to operate a financially strong, sustainable business with a proven record of delivering exceptional personal service." Insurance Brokers, 2012-02-24T20:09:29+00:00 http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/xmas_opening http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/xmas_opening#When:13:03:36Z Our Claims Department Opening hours over the Christmas holiday are as follows: Friday 23/12: Open 8:30am - 1pm Christmas Eve: Closed Christmas Day: Closed Boxing Day: Closed Tuesday 27/12: Closed Wednesday 28/12: Open 8:30am - 5:30pm Thursday 29/12: Open 8:30am - 5:30pm Friday 30/12: Open 8:30am - 1pm New Year's Eve: Closed New Year's Day: Closed Monday 2/1: Closed Tuesday 3/1: Open 8:30am - 5:30pm Please note New Claims can be reported by telephone or online 24 hours a day 365 days a year Office Gossip, 2011-12-23T13:03:36+00:00 http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/mansfield_town http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/mansfield_town#When:16:48:15Z Maps were match day sponsors of the game between Mansfield Town FC and Southport FC on Saturday. The result was 1-3 with away side, Southport, claiming all three points and their fifth away win in a row. Mansfield man of the match, chosen by us, was Luke O'Neill and was presented with a bottle of champagne by James Tattersall. Sponsorship, 2011-10-19T16:48:15+00:00 http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/maps_manchester_team_grows http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/maps_manchester_team_grows#When:12:57:44Z We opened a second branch office at Exchange Quay, Manchester in June and due to continued growth of new business the Manchester team is doubling in size. 2011-10-04T12:57:44+00:00 http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/government_to_ban_referral_fees http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/government_to_ban_referral_fees#When:16:02:58Z The Government announced today that they intend to ban referral fees in personal injury claims. Details of when and how the ban will be implemented are unknown. If or when any ban arises MAPS is well placed to adapt to this fundamental change to the legal industry. We have been working on this possibility for the last couple of years and structured our company financially and systematically for any such change in the law. We remain extremely positive and confident for our future and that of our clients and strategic partners. Click here for the Ministry of Justice News Release Insurance Brokers, 2011-09-09T16:02:58+00:00 http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/maps_moves_into_manchester http://www.mapslegal.co.uk/site/maps_moves_into_manchester#When:13:45:13Z Maps is opening a second office in Manchester at Exchange Quay on 6th June 2011 as part of their ongoing growth strategy. We are recruiting a new team of Claim Handlers to complement our head office in-house claims team in Southport. Details of the vacancies and a downloadable application form are available on the vacancies section of our site. Office Gossip, 2011-05-09T13:45:13+00:00