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AFTER THE
EVENT (ATE) INSURANCE (FOR SCHEMES)
ULP specialise in arranging ATE Schemes and Facilities for Claims Management Companies (CMCs) and Solicitors where cover is needed for a large number of individual claimants.
Normally the claimants are individuals pursuing similar or identical claims against third party perpetrators.
A Scheme or Facility should allow for reduced or minimal administration on the part of the CMC or Solicitor(s) and cover is often offered on a delegated authority basis which speeds up policy issuance efficiency and certainty.
We have arranged literally dozens of such Schemes over the past twenty years or so, so do Contact us. for an exploratory chat or virtual meeting.
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers. But if your question is not listed, do call or email us.
Cyber Crime in the UK is increasing at an alarming rate with attacks being directed at businesses of all sizes. None more so than for Solicitor Firms, who are seen to be easy targets by fraudsters. The methods employed by fraudsters are constantly changing and becoming more sophisticated and range from ‘socially engineered telephone calls’ to email interception and malware. Unless specific cover has been sought, you have will have no protection for theft of your own assets/funds.
Premiums start from as little at £806, depending on the size of the Firm and the amount of cover sought. Please refer to the premium matrix in Section 1 of our Application Form for full cost indications.
Previously, Firms may have relied on their Bank to provide compensation in the event of fraudulent activity. However, with the cost of fraud increasing at an unprecedented rate, there is evidence that Banks are looking to avoid refunds where possible. This is particularly the case where the transaction seems legitimate or if the Firm has been ‘negligent’ in protecting their account. Examples of where Banks have refused refunds include the Firm not having adequate Firewalls in place, inadvertently divulging account details to a fraudster or not adequately checking the Bank identity and/or Bank details of suppliers.
No. Cyber Liability policies vary in the scope of cover provided but they are generally geared to cover the rectification costs of reconstituting your IT System following a violation. Cyber Liability can also provide cover for Data Breach/Privacy Liabilities, your Legal Liability relating to the transmission of viruses and associated Public Relation mitigation costs.
Cyber Liability does not usually cover the financial loss of Monies and/or Funds unless there is a specific Crime extension.
Yes. Cover is provided for theft of the Firm’s assets by both external parties and by employees, or a combination of both. However, cover does not apply in respect of theft by, or including, an Equity Partner/Director with a 20% or more shareholding in the Firm.
There are many examples available but the following outlines a typical claim example:
A solicitor received an email appearing to be from a genuine sender and opened an attachment in the email.
The following day, the solicitor tried to access the Firm’s Office Account online. The log in process appeared different, but she proceeded anyway. The log in was rejected and almost immediately she received a call from someone claiming to work for the Bank, offering help. The person said the Bank had noticed she was having difficulty logging in. The lawyer was asked to enter her username and certain characters of her PIN and password. After several attempts, the caller advised the account had been locked temporarily.
On contacting her Bank a few days later, the Bank denied making the telephone call. Further enquiries revealed that the majority of the Office Account’s balance had been transferred abroad to an overseas Bank.
The Bank told her it would be unable to retrieve the funds or accept liability as she had failed to safeguard the Firm’s online log in details.
One of the biggest risks to your Firm is your staff, not because they are malicious or have intent to defraud you but because they are human. With fraudsters becoming much more sophisticated it is impossible to be warned or prepared for each individual scam or threat. In fact, some of the most prolific losses have arisen as a result of senior employees being duped.
Firms, no matter how big or small, are a Fraud target and Crime Cover should be seriously considered to ensure the Firm’s Assets are protected.