The pub industry has gone through a period of massive change. New licensing laws relating to opening hours, entertainment, supper hours and children's certificates have blurred the lines between traditional drinking establishments, restaurants and night clubs.

The new ban on smoking has of course also come into effect. Meanwhile reducing binge drinking remains a government target and the British Beer and Pub Association has banned 'happy hours' for its members.

The pressure on the landlord to diversify is stronger than ever. Meanwhile, underwriters are struggling to keep up with the changes and some are loath to accept risks which do not fall into their rigid definition of a traditional 'Pub'. Many insurers will now no longer accept pubs that offer live entertainment, dance floors, late licensing hours or have an entrance fee/ door staff. If you have introduced any of these or similar activities to your pub, you should immediately check with your insurers to ensure that your policy is still valid.

In recent years, there have been a number of 'blame and claim' issues to come out of the woodwork. Claims for disease resulting from exposure to Asbestos or Coal Dust have hit insurers for policies that were sold many years in the past. Claims for passive smoking in the workplace may be the next generation and insurers are starting to realise today's policies for pubs may hit their profits in some years to come.

Knowing each insurer's requirements and restrictions for pubs is where we can help. A comprehensive panel of underwriters together with access to Lloyds markets ensures your quotation from Ferguson Green will be competitive and not let you down when you need to claim.