Frequently Asked Questions

About Cornish Mutual

• I'd not heard of Cornish Mutual until recently. Is it a new company?

  Cornish Mutual is a well established insurance company having traded for well over 100 years. Like all UK based insurance companies it is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

• Are you a broker or an agent?

  Cornish Mutual is an independent Mutual Insurance Company. It is not a broker or agent. Cornish Mutual’s subsidiary company Cornish Mutual Insurance Services (CMIS) has been set up to enhance Cornish Mutual’s current insurance offering to current and prospective Members. CMIS is an Appointed Representative of South Essex Insurance Brokers Ltd (SEIB), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ecclesiastical Insurance office plc.

• What is so special about being a Mutual company?

  We have no shareholders so the money that would otherwise be spent on dividend payments to shareholders is retained in the business for the benefit of Members.

• How many offices do you have and where are they?

  Our Head Office is in Truro, this is supported by representation at agricultural markets. We also employ 21 locally–based Insurance Inspectors throughout the region.

• Which agricultural markets do you regularly attend?

  See Markets section.

• What makes you different from NFUM?

  Cornish Mutual believe that by living and working in the South West we have a better understanding of the issues facing our Members, are more accessible to them and better placed to meet their needs. We offer rural communities a good quality local personal service.

• Are you salaried or paid by commission?

  All our staff including Insurance Inspectors are salaried. We focus on service rather than maximising profits.

• Can I phone you at any time if I need to?

  Office hours are 9–5 on work days. Local Insurance Inspectors are contactable outside this time

• If I insure with Cornish Mutual will they put up the premiums after I become a Member?

  Cornish Mutual is committed to keeping premium rates as consistent as possible from year to year reflecting individual exposures and claims experience.

• The premium is ok but what are you like when it comes to paying claims?

  The overwhelming majority of claims we receive are dealt with quickly and we receive many letters of congratulation from satisfied claimants. As soon as a claim is agreed we aim to get the payment made within 5 days, usually issuing payment within 48 hours.

• Do you underwrite your own policies?

  Yes – except for Legal Expenses where we use DAS, the UK's largest Legal Expenses Insurer, and Engineering Inspection/Insurance where we use Royal Sun Alliance and Allianz Cornhill who each have competent and approved inspection engineers. Cornish Mutual’s subsidiary company Cornish Mutual Insurance Services (CMIS) has been set up to enhance Cornish Mutual’s current insurance offering to current and prospective Members. For instance we now offer a more comprehensive Horse Insurance policy. CMIS is an Appointed Representative of South Essex Insurance Brokers Ltd (SEIB), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ecclesiastical Insurance office plc.

• Don't you just insure farmers?

  Since 1999, we have gained many Members outside agriculture who recognise the advantages of dealing with a local, service–focused insurance company.

• Do Cornish Mutual do life/pensions/critical illness cover?

  No. We focus on non–life insurance.

• Do you provide insurance when abroad?

  Yes. To discuss individual needs please contact us.

• Do you do travel insurance?

  No we don’t.

Member Services Questions

• I'm not very good with forms. I don't suppose you could call in and give me a hand?

  Yes. Please contact your Insurance Inspector.

• Can I pay by direct debit or credit card?

  Yes you can, direct debit provides a monthly instalment facility which in the first year of use is based upon a 20% deposit paid by cheque or credit card followed by 9 equal monthly instalments. In subsequent years the direct debit is based on 10 equal monthly instalments. The direct debit facility is charged at 3% on the initial balance. Credit card payment can be used for the annual premium.

• What do you charge for using payment by direct debit?

  3%.

• We always seem to get mountains of paperwork from you at renewal time. Is it necessary?

  We realise that noone likes paperwork but yes ours is necessary. We encourage all Members to read the paperwork we send them to ensure that they have a full understanding of their insurance policy. It is also a legal requirement to send a copy of the Annual Accounts to each individual policyholder.

Claims questions

• Do you have a Claims Department?

  Yes we do, contact our Member Services team on 0845 017 5513

• Who should we contact in the event of a claim?

  Our Member Services Team on 0845 017 5513 or your Insurance Inspector.

• Who do you use for fire and water damage claims?

  For emergencies you can contact Richfords or Rainbow http://www.richfords.com/ and www.rainbow-int.co.uk who will assist you in pumping out flood waters or saving property which has suffered fire or smoke damage. We also engage the services of independent loss adjusters to assist you in ensuring that your claim is fully settled in accordance with the policy wording.

• Why should I lose part of my No Claims Discount when the accident I had with my car was not my fault?

  If we are able to recover our outlay from a negligent party then your No Claims Discount will not be reduced.

• Can I protect my No Claims Discount?

  Yes by payment of an additional premium which will retain your full No Claims Discount provided you do not have more than 2 claims in any 5 year period.

• How long after a policy lapses or is cancelled does the No Claims Discount remain effective?

  For 2 years from the date of lapsing or cancellation.

• I've paid the excess to the repairer of my damaged car. As the accident was not my fault will I be reimbursed?

  If there is more than a 50 percent likelihood that you were not responsible for the accident, we will encourage your Legal Expenses Insurer cover which is automatically provided in every Cornish Mutual Motor policy to seek recovery of your excess and any other reasonable expenses you have incurred from the negligence party.

• Do you provide a courtesy car irrespective of fault or if my car is a write off?

  Our recommended motor repairers can provide a courtesy car while yours is undergoing repair.

• Who should we use to replace a damaged windscreen?

  Who you use to repair or replace your windscreen is your choice and we do not recommend any one company. However, National Mobile Windscreens are familiar with our processes. They can be contacted on 0800 373 171.

• Do you replace lost or damaged property or can I buy my own?

  Our approach is to provide a claim settlement cheque so that you can make your own decision as to whether to replace on a like for like basis or use the payment towards purchasing an improved model.

Motor Insurance questions

• Will you insure motor risks in isolation?

  Yes but only in certain circumstances. Please discuss with your local Insurance Inspector or Underwriter.

• Do I need a cover note if I change a vehicle on my fleet policy?

  No this isn’t necessary.

• My vehicle is not registered (e.g. ATV) but I either cross the road or travel a short distance along the road between fields. Would a claim be met?

  Yes it would.

• Do I need third party cover in my own farm lane or yard?

  The definition of public road is fairly wide and can, in certain circumstances, extend to farm lanes and yards.

• All terrain vehicles are frequently stolen. Would Cornish Mutual pay out even if the vehicle was not secured to an immoveable object?

  Cornish Mutual does not have an immovable object security requirement in its policies this reflect these vehicles use and the lifestyle of our Members.

• What would the excess on an all terrain vehicle be?

  The excess, unless your policy schedule states something different, is £250.

• What is the best and cheapest way to insure my 17 year old son/daughter to drive their car?

  Please discuss with your local Insurance Inspector or Underwriter.

• My friend tells me my car insurance insures me to drive anyone else’s car comprehensively. Are they right?

  No. Your friend is incorrect. If you want to drive someone else’s car then you need to discuss this with us before using the vehicle. Separate arrangements apply on Motor Fleet policies.

Home Insurance questions

• I'm trying to calculate my Home buildings/contents sums insured but I'm not sure whether my fitted kitchen/carpets are contents or part of the building.

  The general rule is to ask whether or not the items would reasonably be moved should you move home. For fitted kitchens and carpets we would regard them as part of the building.

• I employ a gardener/home help. Does my Home insurance policy provide Employers' Liability cover?

  Yes it does.

• My daughter has a pet pony. Should we take out a public liability insurance in case of an accident or do we have cover under our household (personal liability) insurance?

  Your daughter, provided she is a permanent member of your household, has Public Liability for the use and riding of a pet pony under your Cornish Mutual Home Contents policy or the Contents section of our Home policy.

Farm Insurance questions

• I’m a farmer letting part or/all of my land to another under a grass keep arrangement if the cattle owner renting my land has Public Liability cover in force, do I also need to insure?

  Yes. Primary responsibility for animals escaping from land often rests with the landowner rather than the owner or keeper of the animals.

• I let some of my farm buildings/land to local horse owners. Does my farm liability policy provide cover for such diversification?

  It depends upon the circumstances and you need to discuss this with your with your local Insurance Inspector or an Underwriter.

• Is the straying/transit section of the Farmer's policy concerned with public liability or the loss of the animals?

  The straying/transit section of the Farmer’s policy is concerned with the loss of animals. Liability caused by animals is covered under the Public Liability section.

• The milk company I supply are asking me to check that my Farmers liability Policy insures me against antibiotics accidentally getting into my milk and contaminating the tanker load. Am I covered?

  Yes if you have Public Liability cover under your Farmer’s Policy and you have been negligent you have cover but if you would like cover for the loss of your own milk this has to be arranged separately. Please contact your local Insurance Inspector.

• Do I need Employers’ Liability cover as I only employ members of my immediate family?

  The law does not require Employers Liability insurance for Members of your immediate family who work for you. However, such individuals are likely to be exposed to the same type of risks as would apply to nonrelatives so we always encourage anyone to take out Employers’ Liability for any employee.

• I have a parttime worker who is self employed. Do I need Employers’ Liability cover for him?

  Much depends upon the contractual and working arrangements you have in place with the parttime worker. Further information is available from your Insurance Inspector or Underwriter.

• Do I need to insure all my livestock against fire/lightning as they would not all be killed at the same time?

  Yes. The total value of livestock is a measure of the overall risk although we recognise that it is highly unlikely that all livestock would be killed at the same time – this is reflected in the price we charge.

• Do items and equipment on farms need to be locked away for the theft cover to be operative?

  No, unless we have made a specific requirement in writing to you and placed an endorsement wording on your policy.

• Is there an age limit for drivers of agricultural vehicles under a motor policy?

  Yes. Please check with the DVLA as they can provide you with the information.

• I've been asked to use my tractor to tow a float at our local Carnival. Am I covered under my Agricultural Vehicle Policy?

  You need to discuss extending your insurance with either your Insurance Inspector or an Underwriter. The standard Agricultural Vehicle Policy does not provide for activities outside of the business you advised us of when you took out the insurance.

• Do you provide insurance against Blue Tongue Disease?

  Until recently there has been no demand expressed to Cornish Mutual for insurance against Blue Tongue Disease.