Andy Coates - Workshop Fire

[Robbo3]

Andy Coates lost his workshop & equipment in a fire. There is a crowd funding page to help him replace it if anyone would like to donate
- https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding ... woodturner

He has several helpful videos on Youtube including demonstrations of Simon Hope tools
- https://www.youtube.com/user/cobweb6/videos

 

[Blister]

Thats bad news , Was he not insured ?

 

[Dalboy]

As much as I feel sorry for Andy and would never wish this on anyone, As Blister stated did he have insurance would people be so ready to do the same for joe blogg down the road who enjoys turning.

 

[MrTeroo]

Yes it's a shame to hear that, but I have to agree with the posts above.

I'm self employed and the buck stops with me. Insurance is just a given.

Maybe his business bank would help with a loan?

 

[CHJ]

Must be devastating to loose all your acquired equipment and favoured tooling etc. that have taken time and effort to acquire and select to fit your working methods.

However it does seem strange that a professional so prominent in the turning world, earning a significant percentage of their income from turning would not have insurance, especially if the workshop is at a site remote from his residence as I believe I have read somewhere this was.

 

[ColeyS1]

All the above is partly why I held back from donating. To not have insurance would be bonkers, unless he has and the crowd funding is perhaps extra ? Who knows. until further details are given I can't see why I'd wanna help out when the insurance company get paid to do it.

That said, hope he's up and running again soon.
Coley

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[RobinBHM]

Having very recently had a potential very serious fire myself, I have a great deal of sympathy with Andy Coates, its hard enough making a living in woodwork without a set back like this. Im happy to donate a few quid.

I do think a bit of transparency regarding the business insurance aspect would be sensible though. On the bottom lhs of the page, if you click on the 'load more comments' a response regarding insurance does say he wasnt insured as the premiums were too expensive (£8k is mentioned). That does seem a huge premium as Ive just had a renewal at less that £3k which includes business interruption.

I have to say though, following an insurance survey carried out last year, the list of requirements imposed by the insurers is huge and the cost of implementing all the risk improvements runs into thousands, so I wonder if that is the underlying reason for the high price quoted or the reason for lack of cover.

The other thjng about business insurance is unlike car or home insurance it is not worth getting loads of quotes from other insurers to try and a cheaper premium. Why? because the few hundred quid you save will be soon wiped out by having an insurance assessor come in from the new company and have a whole load of new requirements to be satisified.

Heres a typical example: 'battery powered forklifts and charger must have a clear space of minimum 2 metres all around whilst charging'. In practice that would mean a section of workshop about 6m x 6m would have to be left permanently clear.

 

[ColeyS1]

Edit- deleted for being shown the light by Nev, I'll keep my thoughts to myself on this matter.
Coley

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[nev]

Lets remember that its not the unfortunate Mr. Coates that has set up the crowdfunding page but a well meaning third party trying to help out a friend.
If for whatever reason, if indeed any at all, you wish to donate or not, there is no reason to comment on business practices, insurances etc as Mr. Coates is not here to defend himself, or indeed has any reason to.
So if you don't wish to donate, don't, if you do, do.
But please remember that someone is having a carp time and could do without the added pressure of criticism from others.
Merry Christmas everyone