Risk & Governance
Group Insurance Programmes for Business Groups: A Guide
By ATTPL HOLDCO / ATTPL GROUP Editorial Team · · 3 min read
How business groups can build a group-wide insurance programme: risk mapping, property, liability, employee and fleet cover, claims and reviews.
Start with a risk map
A diversified business group carries many kinds of risk: buildings and plant, vehicles and drivers, employees, contracts, data and directors' decisions. When each company buys insurance on its own, the result is often gaps, overlaps and higher premiums. A coordinated group insurance programme gives the board a clear view of what is covered, what is not, and what it costs.
Insurance should follow risk, not habit. Begin by listing the group's major risks by company and location, then decide which to avoid, reduce, retain or transfer through insurance. Our group risk management framework explains how to build that register.
Typical covers in a group programme
- Property and fire policies for buildings, plant, stock and equipment.
- Business interruption to protect profits after an insured loss.
- Motor and fleet policies for commercial vehicles.
- Public and product liability.
- Employee group health, group personal accident and term life.
- Directors and officers (D&O) liability.
- Cyber insurance for data and system incidents.
- Contractor all risk and marine transit where relevant.
Centralise, but tailor
A group programme can negotiate better terms through scale, align renewal dates and use consistent wordings. But each business has distinct risks — a mining unit, a fleet business and a software company need different covers. A central policy framework with business-specific schedules usually works best. Our article on cybersecurity governance shows how cyber risk ties into cover decisions.
Role of brokers and insurers
A licensed insurance broker can map risks, approach several insurers and advise on wordings. Compare not just premiums but deductibles, exclusions, sub-limits and claims service. Keep records of all disclosures, because inaccurate proposals can lead to claim rejections.
Claims readiness
- Maintain asset registers and valuations.
- Keep incident reporting procedures clear and known to site teams.
- Notify insurers promptly after an incident.
- Preserve evidence and photographs.
- Track claims centrally until settlement.
Retention and deductibles
Not every risk needs to be fully insured. A group with strong finances may choose higher deductibles to reduce premiums, retaining small and frequent losses while insuring against large ones. This decision should be based on loss history and the group's ability to absorb shocks. Retained risks still need management: safety programmes, maintenance and controls reduce the frequency of small losses that the group pays for itself. Document retention levels in the risk policy so that business units know what is and is not covered.
Common gaps to look for
- Assets valued at old book values instead of current replacement cost.
- New locations or warehouses not added to policies.
- Stock in transit or at third-party premises not covered.
- Contractual liabilities accepted in customer contracts but not insured.
- Cyber incidents assumed to be covered under general policies.
An annual gap review with the broker and internal teams closes these before a loss exposes them.
Using data to improve the programme
Track premiums, claims, losses and recoveries by company and policy type every year. This data shows where risks are rising, where controls are working and where premiums may be out of line with experience. Sharing it with insurers during renewal can support better terms. Over time, a data-driven programme becomes cheaper and more effective than renewing the same policies by habit.
Annual review and governance
Review the programme every year before renewals: new assets, acquisitions, changes in headcount and fleet, and past claims. Report the insurance position to the board or risk committee. Internal audit can test whether covers match registers; see our internal audit guide. Insurance explainers for individuals and businesses are available from ATTPL Finance, and fleet safety support from ATTPL Fleet. To discuss group risk structures, contact ATTPL HOLDCO.
Frequently asked questions
Why centralise insurance across group companies?
It reduces gaps and overlaps, improves negotiating power and gives the board a clear view of cover and cost.
What is business interruption insurance?
Cover for loss of profit and continuing expenses after an insured event such as a fire stops operations.
How often should a group review insurance?
At least annually before renewals, and whenever there are major acquisitions, new assets or changes in operations.
What is a deductible?
The part of each claim that the insured bears before the insurer pays; higher deductibles usually reduce premiums.
Should each subsidiary have its own policies?
Many groups use a central programme with company-specific schedules, which combines scale benefits with tailored cover.
Sources and further reading
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage depends on policy wordings; consult a licensed insurance intermediary.
