Frequently asked questions
What is the sharing economy?
The sharing economy is an umbrella term that refers to short term renting or letting of assets, or provision of services by contractors, freelancers, or other self-employed workers. Most sharing economy activity takes place via peer-to-peer websites, such as letting rooms on Airbnb, or giving rides via Uber, though it also includes the gig economy and more traditional on-demand services. The name "sharing economy" comes from the concept that when someone engages in this activity they are sharing their assets or skills with other people. The sharing economy is predicted to grow an enormous amount over the coming years, until it becomes such an integral part of our lives that it will become indistinct from the regular economy.
Why does the sharing economy need insurance?
When people let their rooms or rent their assets, they are exposed to risk. The tenant or borrower may damage goods or property. There is also a risk that someone could injure themselves while in a rented room or using a borrowed item, in which case the owner could be at risk of being sued for medical expenses or damages. This risk is called liability. In addition, for self employed freelancers or contractors, there is a danger that a dissatisfied client will sue because they think that the work wasn't good enough. Insurance that protects against this is called professional indemnity, and it covers the cost of any legal bills that arise as a result.
What is a premium?
The insurance premium is the cost of the insurance. It's what you pay at the start of the policy, or via installments, and it is shown to you as part of the insurance quote to help you to decide whether or not to buy the policy.
What is an excess?
When you take out an insurance policy you agree that the insurer will pay slightly less than the full cost of a claim. The excess (also known as a deductible) is the amount that is deducted from the claim, before the insurance policy pays the rest. Quite often you can choose the excess level but you need to make sure that you will be able to afford the excess if you need to claim.
For example, say you have office contents insurance with an excess of £250, and some office equipment valued at £1,500 is damaged. If you make a successful claim, the insurance will pay out £1,250, since that is the value of the lost goods minus the excess amount.
Can I claim back VAT on insurance?
There is no VAT charged on insurance premiums. Instead, there is a special tax called Insurance Premium Tax (IPT), which is currently 12% of the premium. Tapoly will always display the total amount you will pay including this tax. The IPT that you pay cannot be claimed back.
What is a claims made policy?
A "claims made" policy will pay those claims that occur while the policy is active and in force. Any claims made while the policy is active will be fully covered, as long as they are reported in a timely manner.
What is a claims occurring policy?
A "claims occurring" policy will pay claims that relate to events that occured while the policy was active. Any event that occurs while the policy is active will be fully covered, as long as the corresponding claim is reported in a timely manner.
Is Tapoly's cover claims made or claims occurring?
As is standard in the insurance industry, our professional indemnity insurance is claims made while our public liability insurance is claims occurring.
How do I make a claim?
If you need to make a claim or if you have received an email or letter from someone threatening to take legal action or make a claim against you please complete our online claim form, or call us on 020 7846 0108.
Someone is threatening to sue me, what do I need to do?
Visit our About Claims page for our short guide on what to do if you have received an email or letter or if someone has verbally threatened to take legal action against you.
Why does Tapoly charge an admin fee?
Tapoly has made the decision to charge an admin fee in response to the changing insurance market. The insurance industry, particularly Professional Indemnity insurance, has experienced significant premium escalations in recent years, and regulatory costs imposed by the FCA have also risen. Despite these increased costs, Tapoly has chosen not to raise its commission or pass on additional expenses to clients. Instead, the introduction of an admin fee allows Tapoly to continue providing top-quality advice and services without compromising on value.
How does the admin fee compare to what other brokers charge?
After careful analysis of industry practices, Tapoly found that the majority of brokers charge admin fees either per client or per policy. The range of admin fees observed in the market typically falls between £50 and £75. Taking this into consideration, Tapoly has set its admin fee at a reasonable £35 per client.
When did Tapoly implement the admin fee?
The admin fee was implemented on 1st June 2023.
Is the admin fee charged per client or per policy?
The admin fee is charged per client.
Is the admin fee applicable to all types of insurance policies?
Yes, the admin fee will be applicable to all policies offered by Tapoly.
Can the admin fee be waived or negotiated?
The admin fee is a standard charge and cannot be waived or negotiated.
How can I pay the admin fee?
The admin fee will be included in your overall payment when purchasing a policy from Tapoly. You can make the payment through the provided payment options on the Tapoly platform or website.
Will existing clients be charged the admin fee?
Yes, the admin fee will apply existing clients at renewal time.
Is the admin fee subject to change in the future?
Tapoly will regularly review its pricing structure, including the admin fee, to ensure it remains competitive and aligned with market conditions. Any changes to the admin fee will be communicated in advance to clients.
How can I get more information or discuss the admin fee further?
If you have any additional questions or would like to discuss the admin fee further, please contact Tapoly's customer support team. They will be happy to provide further clarification and address any concerns you may have.