We at Longfields Insurance, a provider of insurance solutions in East Anglia, are thrilled to announce the appointment of Mark Whyman as our new Rural and Agricultural Director. This strategic decision underscores our dedication to delivering unparalleled service and expertise to rural communities.

"Mark has played a key role in Longfields' success for many years and has been a dedicated advocate for the rural community," said Luke Broadley, Managing Director of Longfields Insurance. "His appointment not only reflects positively on Longfields but also stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving the needs of the rural community."

Mark Whyman expressed his delight at joining our board as Rural and Agricultural Director, citing his extensive experience with our company and in the industry. "Having worked for Longfields for seven years as Senior Rural and Agricultural Manager and serving the community for in excess of 20 years, it is an industry that I know very well," he said. "It is certainly the right time for me and the company to support the next phase, which will cement even further our commitment to our Rural and Agricultural Clients, ensuring we live by the 'old fashioned' personable customer relationship."

Mark also highlighted his alignment with our Managing Director Luke Broadley's vision and values, which will further enhance the customer experience. We look forward to continuing this commitment into 2024 and beyond, ensuring Longfields remains dedicated to our clients and communities.

With the 2023/24 tax year upon us, our friends at 2Plan Wealth Management have compiled a handy document providing the rates and thresholds you need for the new tax year. Available for free, download the 2Plan Wealth Management tax tables.

In early 2022, we announced our collaboration with Independent Financial Adviser Neil Walker of 2Plan Wealth Management, and we're proud to say Neil has been assisting many of our clients ever since.

Carrying over 26 years of advisory experience, Neil can assist businesses and individuals with their financial planning. Whether you would like to learn more about the 2023 Spring Budget, announced on 15 March 2023, the 2023/24 tax year, or would like some advice on how to get started with your financial plan, speak to your Longfields Account Manager. They will introduce you to Neil, who will then be your point of contact for any financial advice you need.

Speak to us today on 01473 784500.

2023 Spring Budget

On Wednesday, 15 March, the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, delivered the 2023 Spring Budget.

To learn more about the 2023 Spring Budget, our friends at 2Plan Wealth Management have compiled a handy guide outlining all the changes.

Our collaboration with Independent Financial Adviser Neil Walker means we can offer our customers a financial advisory service. If you'd like to learn more about what the Spring Budget means for you, speak to your Longfields Account Manager, who will put you in contact with Neil. Call us on 01473 784500.

Download the 2023 Spring Budget Guide from 2Plan Wealth Management

Important Information for Customers with Pre-existing Medical Conditions

We are obliged to inform you of how to improve your access to travel insurance policies that includes cover for more serious medical conditions.

The following factors would determine when this information is relevant to you:

• You have not been offered, or we/the insurer, have declined a quotation wholly or partly due to a medical condition
• Your policy has been cancelled, wholly or partly, due to a medical condition
• You have been offered a policy with a medical condition exclusion, which cannot be removed from the policy
• You have been offered a policy with a medical condition premium of £100 or more
• You have been offered a policy in respect of which the medical condition premium is not known.

We would like to provide you with details of a ‘Medical Cover Firm Directory’, which is a publicly available directory that only lists firms that provide, or arrange, travel insurance policies that cover more serious medical conditions. The directory will also show you enough information about each firm listed so you can make an informed initial choice about which provider might meet your needs.

Some of the advantages of using the directory make it easier for you to navigate the available market and make it more likely in finding a firm who:

• Is willing to offer cover for your condition
• Is willing to offer cover for your condition without specific exclusions
• Is willing to offer cover for your condition at a more affordable price.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has launched a travel insurance directory on its Money Advice Service website which can be accessed here: https://traveldirectory.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

Consumer enquires about the directory can be made to the Money Advice Service’s Customer Contact Centre, which is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm using the details below:

Telephone – 0800 138 7777

Email – enquiries@maps.org.uk

Address – The Money Advice Service, Holborn Centre, 120 Holborn, London, EC1N 2TD

25 June 2020
Clients experiencing financial difficulties
On the 18th May 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority introduced new measures for insurance and premium finance firms to help clients in financial difficulty.  Should you be experiencing financial hardship, or if things change at work or home, we may be able to help by:

• Re-assessing your demands and needs
• Reviewing levels of cover
• Adding or removing optional covers such as legal expenses
• Adding or removing people on your policy

Where amendments to your insurance cover does not alleviate your payment difficulties, you should contact your finance provider directly as further support may be available, which could potentially include:

• The possibility of deferring payments (please refer to FAQ’s below)
• Reduced repayments, or rescheduled term
• Waiving missed or late payment fees
• Amending your repayment date without any cost
• Reducing interest payments

It is important that customers do not leave themselves uninsured, so we encourage you to contact us to discuss the options available if you are struggling to afford your payments during this uncertain time.

Please see our FAQ’s on Payment Deferrals

What is a payment deferral?

A payment deferral is an arrangement under which a firm permits a customer that pays their insurance premium in instalments to make no payments for a specified period

How do I apply for a payment deferral?

You should contact your insurer or finance provider direct

If I am granted payment deferral, will I be classed as being in arrears on my payments?

No, nor would the provider or any third party such as broker or debt collector be allowed to cancel the policy or collect payment during the deferral period

How long can I defer payments?

One to three months however, the provider can grant a longer extension should they wish

Will I have to pay a fee? 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) would not expect a customer to be liable to pay any charge or fee in connection with the granting of a payment deferral

Post and paper-based documents

We continue to handle all post (incoming and outgoing), and paper-based documents such as cheques, as quickly and efficiently as possible to ensure they are processed in a timely manner to safeguard policy cover. Should you have any concerns about instructions or cheques you have sent which may not have been processed, or documents you believe you are due from us, please contact us urgently.

23 March 2020

We have been carefully monitoring the situation with regards to COVID-19 and we have made the decision to close our offices following the recent guidance from the government. Whilst the offices are closed, the Longfields team will be working remotely and will be available via your Account Handlers direct email, mobile phone or our office email which is info@longfields.co.uk. Alternatively, please call the office (01473 784500 or 01206 39600) and leave a voicemail after the tone with you name and number and someone will be in touch with you very shortly.

This is a difficult time, but as you know – we do difficult things well; we are tackling this head on and have a robust infrastructure in place to ensure our specialist services are maintained. You can therefore rest assured that we are still here to support you during this challenging period.

Longfields team

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), released on 24 July 2018, introduces new ways of assessing housing need, scrutinising delivery and supporting development, while continuing to protect the Green Belt.

The most significant change in the document is the introduction of the Housing Delivery Test, according to Barry Davies of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants.

The test will apply from November 2018 and focuses on driving up the numbers of homes delivered in council areas, rather than how many are planned for, with the potential of a penalty for councils that consistently fail to oversee sufficient housing.

These changes to national planning policy will have significant implications for farmers and rural landowners, say land advisers.

See the full article

A rather inevitable and so not unexpected article in Farmers Weekly (30 Jul 2018) says that rapeseed yields will fall significantly because of the poor rainfall so far this summer. This will inevitably have a corresponding increase in rapeseed prices. However, further price rises might be avoided because of an anticipated large US soya crop, as users could substitute soya for high-priced rapeseed.

Read the full article