THE BENEFIT OF EXPERT ADVICE - NASC INSURANCE SERVICES

NASC Insurance Services was launched in 2024 and is an exclusive member insurance proposition for NASC members that reflects their level of professionalism within the sector. Luigi Maggio is the Director of NASC Insurance Services and explains the motivation behind the scheme. “It was launched to provide tailored solutions with a risk-based approach that collaborates with key insurers who understand the complexity of the sector but also understand how NASC’s auditing process and guidance ensure the best of return for members.”

Maggio stresses that while the benefits offered to members are monetary, in terms of reduced premium rating, it’s the overall package of enhanced limits of indemnity and policy extensions such as plant cover or management liability that work in conjunction with the service delivery when providing risk management and claims support. “Just as members join NASC to showcase their overall quality, service and value when undertaking contacts, we are no different. There’s much more to it beyond price.”

The appliance of expertise

Maggio says that people often underestimate the importance of industry expertise and knowledge when it comes to insurance. “It’s important to understand the sector, how its evolving and why that affects insurance. Keeping up with industry changes ensures you can represent members in the best way. A good example is the continued development of scaffolding software to improve handover processes and how that assists within insurance claims to defend members.”

Vince Padbury, Commercial Director, Scaffolding Access Ltd is one client who has benefitted from this expertise. “We felt it was time to look at our insurance package and engaged NASC Insurance Services. They discussed market conditions with us and explained what would be achievable. Importantly, they explained how insurers would respond to different approaches. In the end we saw a reduction in cost as well as increased policy coverage.”

Market expertise also extends to understanding where the insurance cycle is in terms of pricing, how the market is reacting and what policy will provide members with the best value. Maggio explains, “Like any professional service, we take a hands-on approach and want to understand the business. Providing a personal service to meeting on site, providing regular data on performance and importantly, to build a transparent relationship on how we work together to achieve the best results. As most sectors, insurance have ever increased challenges, within our risk management reviews, these are presented and explained so the business exposure is always understood and kept a minimum.

Market trends for 2026

The good news for NASC members is that insurers are keen to grow market share within the scaffolding sector, which means premiums should remain competitive. Maggio explains that insurers want to deal with well-run companies that can demonstrate strong processes and have an emphasis on quality. “Resource will continue to be a challenge for the insurance market, so it’s important that clients are represented to the market with a greater focus on risk management, documentation and safety practices to receive the best premiums.

 Personal service

As to his own plans for 2026, Maggio says he is looking forward to more of the same, getting out and meeting more NASC members in person. “One of our key values is a traditional service of meeting in person, on-site wherever that may be. It’s about building relationships and understanding, our team see that as non-negatable.”

Keith Adams, Director, AW Scaffolding (Southwest) Ltd agrees that the personal touch makes a difference. “We appointed NASC Insurance services as our broker in 2024 following a meeting in person. We can’t speak highly enough of the team. We have regular contact with them and are always kept up to date on requirements. Along with competitive premiums, we know they will act in our best interests.”

Another fan is Dan Wilson, Director at MAR Scaffolding. “I appointed NASC Insurance Services at our last renewal to obtain quotations on our behalf. They undertook the renewal with transparency and honesty, providing regular updates. NASC Insurance Services sourced quotes under pressure with limited time, offering insurance that was both more competitive and far better suited to our requirements.”

It was a similar story for Lisa Rooney, Finance Director at Midland Scaffolding Services. “Having been with the same broker for over 15 years, we felt it was time for a review. We met Luigi and he discussed in detail how he would approach the review so not to prejudice our position, giving us guidance on the market position and to expect. We met in person, and he put us at ease with the whole process by giving a clear indication of what we should expect insurers to offer in terms of cover, service and support. We were surprised and happy to see we’d achieved significant cost savings with our current insurer. We value the relationships with have formed with the team. It proved to be a very positive move.”