Sector: Waste & Recycling
Turnover: £50m+
Profile: Large, independent operator
The waste and recycling sector remains one of the most challenging classes of business for insurers. Market appetite is limited, claims frequency is closely scrutinised, and premium pressure has become the norm - regardless of individual risk quality.
This was the position facing one of our clients: a large, well-run waste and recycling business with strong operational controls, yet premiums had increased year-on-year for over five years. The issue wasn’t performance - it was sector perception.
The Challenge
Despite maintaining good risk standards, the client was experiencing:
- Sustained premium increases driven by market sentiment
- Limited insurer appetite within the sector
- Rising scrutiny of third-party motor claims
- Little recognition of their actual risk quality
They needed more than a renewal-only negotiation - they needed a proactive, year-round strategy.
Our Approach
At Readhunt, we believe effective insurance outcomes are built between renewals, not just at them. We worked closely with the client throughout the policy year, focusing on two key areas: claims control and risk representation.
Active Claims Management
We implemented tighter control of all claims, with particular emphasis on third-party motor incidents - a critical loss driver in the sector.
This included:
- Early intervention on claims
- Regular insurer reviews
- Active challenge of reserves where appropriate
- Ongoing monitoring to prevent escalation
By managing claims proactively, rather than reactively, we were able to demonstrate genuine improvement in loss performance.
Proactive Risk Management & Insurer Engagement
Alongside claims control, we focused on ensuring the business was accurately and fairly represented to insurers.
We:
- Arranged and attended all insurer risk surveys
- Worked directly with insurers and surveyors to ensure site risks were properly understood
- Supported the client in managing and evidencing post-survey actions
- Demonstrated continuous improvement, not one-off fixes
This hands-on involvement helped build insurer confidence and credibility throughout the year.
The Result
- Just over 19% reduction in annual premium costs
- Improved insurer confidence in the risk
- Premium levels stabilised in a restrictive market
- No compromise on cover quality
By actively managing claims and engaging insurers throughout the policy year - not just at renewal - we repositioned the business as a well-controlled, high-quality risk, delivering meaningful and sustainable savings.
Why This Matters
In challenging sectors like waste and recycling, insurance outcomes are rarely improved through last-minute negotiations alone.
They are achieved through:
- Year-round engagement
- Clear risk representation
- Proactive claims management
- Strong insurer relationships
At Readhunt, this is how we help clients move beyond market pressure - and take back control.