At Miles Smith, we pride ourselves on our ability to tackle the complex cases others often shy away from. Our High-Risk Liability team is at the forefront of this approach, delivering tailored solutions for challenging cases. In this spotlight, we focus on Account Advisor, Alex White. From navigating the fast-paced world of contractors' insurance to collaborating with brokers and underwriters, Alex brings a unique combination of passion, expertise, and adaptability to his role.
Alex’s career journey
Alex has been with Miles Smith for just over two years, but his connection to insurance has been present throughout his life with both parents in the industry. He recalls his first visit to Lloyd’s of London at the age of six, a moment that solidified his future career path. While Alex’s time at Miles Smith is still relatively short, his passion for the business and dedication to learning the intricacies of High-Risk Liability have made him a standout specialist. His enthusiasm for the "weird and wonderful" cases that come across his desk proves that he is exactly where he is meant to be.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Alex’s day-to-day responsibilities revolve around working closely with brokers to place challenging risks, particularly for high-risk contractors like roofers, scaffolders, and demolition companies. His role involves understanding cases, liaising with retail brokers, and working with Lloyd’s markets to secure bespoke solutions. Whether it's dealing with enquiries, handling paperwork, or discussing realistic targets, Alex ensures the broker and client receive the best possible service.
Overcoming challenges
One of the biggest challenges Alex faces is time management, particularly when dealing with urgent cases that come in at the last minute. The unpredictable nature of High-Risk Liability means that there’s often no set routine - cases could require immediate attention and quick turnaround to secure cover before expiry. Alex manages this by remaining flexible and exercising well-practised prioritisation skills to determine where his attention should be directed.
Collaboration within Miles Smith
Collaboration plays a key role in Alex’s success. He works closely with retail brokers, particularly as they grow their appetite for High-Risk Liability. This interaction ensures that the company’s wholesale capacity is maximised and that retail teams feel confident in offering this coverage to their clients. The team environment at Miles Smith fosters a collaborative approach, where feedback is welcomed, and new ideas are constantly flowing between departments to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Changes in the High-Risk Liability industry
In Alex’s time at Miles Smith, he has already witnessed significant changes in the High-Risk Liability landscape. A shift Alex notes has been the introduction of the Miles Smith High-Risk Liability scheme, which is underwritten by four Lloyd’s markets. This facility is relatively unique in the industry, offering higher cover limits and wider policy wording compared to competitors. It has enabled Miles Smith to carve out a niche in the market, providing flexible, tailored cover for risks that others may be hesitant to take on.
“Our facility offers much more flexibility than the alternatives,” Alex explains. “Where most markets apply height and hazardous location limits, we don’t. This allows brokers to be more confident when placing business with us.”
Emerging trends and future expectations
Alex has noticed an increasing price sensitivity among contractors in recent years. With economic pressures mounting, contractors are more likely to shop around for better deals, even if it means switching providers annually to secure savings. This has created a more competitive market, particularly for small to mid-sized contractors. To address this, Alex and the team at Miles Smith focus on building strong relationships with brokers, which allow for open and honest conversations to secure the best deals.
Looking ahead, Alex sees opportunities in emerging sectors, such as eco-roofing, which have specific exposures that Miles Smith is well-equipped to cover.
Popularity of the High-Risk Liability facility at Miles Smith
One of the standout features of the Miles Smith High-Risk Liability facility is its high cover limits, which sets us apart from other market offerings. Alex and the team have been able to secure limits of £20 million Employers Liability and £50 million Public Liability, often at a very similar price to alternative quotes that include the standard £2 million. Despite sourcing these limits, the fact the facility remains competitively priced makes it a popular choice among brokers and clients alike.
The flexibility of the policy wording also plays a key role in its popularity. “Most policies come with restrictive height and depth limits, but we don’t have those standard restrictions, which gives brokers and clients much more freedom,” Alex explains. The benefit of this for the client is that they then don’t have to constantly refer to their policy or to their broker for clarity on what they can or can’t do. Where further clarification is needed, Alex maintains strong relationships with Lloyd’s to negotiate where necessary and to deliver prompt responses to brokers that can be passed onto their clients on the same day in many cases.
Favourite aspect of the job
For Alex, the best part of his job is the satisfaction that comes from securing an order after working on a case for an extended period. “There’s a real thrill when you finally get the order after putting in so much hard work,” Alex says. While there’s often more disappointment than celebration in High-Risk Liability, the moments of success make it all worth it. “Knowing that you’ve helped a broker, and their client secure the cover they need is incredibly rewarding.”
Find out more
Learn more about our High-Risk Liability offering or get in touch with a member of our Broker Relationship Management team.