Changing times: podcast discusses developing SME risks

The fourth and concluding episode of a special podcast series focused on this year’s Vero SME Index report examines developing risks and some of the challenges businesses are facing in a changing landscape.

The podcast, released today and which you can listen to here, features the top 10 reasons people would try a broker and the range of services they would like to receive.

Hosted by Insurance News MD Andrew Silcox, the episode features contributions from Vero Manager Risk Engineering Capability Dale Garbett and Insurance Advisernet GM Broking & Risk Services Josh Hamill.

Mr Garbett says industries have had different challenges and businesses have seen changes including an increased reliance on technology, greater automation and changes in their energy supply.

“Solar panels are seen as being very, very positive from an energy saving point of view, which they are with energy costs going up,” he says. “Having said that, they introduce new risks.”

Questions include whether they are properly and securely installed, or in a vulnerable position on a rooftop, and they need to be taken into account when considering insurance coverage.

Some 41% of the owners and managers interviewed for this year’s Vero SME Index reported declining revenues, potentially putting pressure on insurance programs and sometimes leading to changes in strategy.

Mr Hamill says it is important brokers are engaged with their customers, with businesses operating in a different environment compared to a year or two previously.

“They need to understand where the business is at, including revenues, and understand what the future prospects of that business are,” he says. Businesses that start to pivot or develop new revenue streams can face new risks separate to original issues that were identified or advised upon, he says.

The podcast series is produced by insuranceNEWS.com.au in association with Vero. Previous episodes can be found here.