Member Article

Independent rural insurance brokers expand to Durham

H&H Insurance Brokers (HHIB), a major provider of farm, commercial, personal and specialist livestock insurances, has opened its first office in the North East.

As one of the UK’s largest independent rural insurance brokers they are expanding to keep pace with demand.

The Carlisle-headquartered business, which also has a branch in Cheshire, is now open for business in Aykley Heads Business Centre, County Durham.

The new office is headed by Thom Jones, who has been brought on board as Senior Rural Development Manager to further develop the business.

HHIB Managing Director Philip Pagin said: “In recent years we have diversified from our core business of farm, livestock and commercial rural insurance to cover personal, high net worth and rural motor policies. As a result we’ve seen both an increase in demand for policies and increased our geographical coverage.

“We pride ourselves in dealing directly with our clients and do not use call centres. The new office in Aykley Heads means we will be able to better serve our growing customer base in North East England, as well as our original heartland of North West England and Scotland.”

HHIB currently employ 30 members of staff, and have their own dedicated Claims Manager. Their recent growth in market share has been delivered by offering a broader range of insurance products as well as being able to offer impartial advice.

Thom Jones who has more than a decade’s experience in the North East’s commercial and corporate UK insurance sectors said:

“I am delighted to be leading the new HHIB North East office and will use my experience both of the industry and the geographical area to further expand our reach.

“HHIB’s core services are aimed at the rural and agricultural community, but we are growing both the number and the type and of rural and commercial policies we provide. Our new in-Livestock division, specifically for breeders of high-value pedigree sheep and cattle, is growing from strength to strength, and we will be listening to feedback from our clients about different kinds of cover they need and types of policies they are looking for.”

Founded in 1987 and part of the Carlisle-based H&H Group, HHIB provides a broad portfolio of insurance covering farms, farm buildings, farm shops, tourism accommodation and agricultural contractors.

The business reacted to customer demand for renewable energy cover by opening a dedicated renewables division, and the recent introduction of the in-Livestock service was also a result of feedback received from clients.

Mr Pagin said: “Because we have offices on the ground where our customers are based, plus access to a dedicated team of underwriters, we are able to provide the specific policies our customers need.

“We are focused on listening to our clients and offer a hands-on, personal approach that is now all too rare in these days of call centres and online insurance.”