Insurance or indemnity for customer non-payments and other

AuthorityManx Utilities Authority
Date received2024-12-10
OutcomeSome information sent but not all held
Outcome date2025-01-09
Case ID4312901

Summary

The requester asked if Manx Utilities holds insurance to recover unpaid customer debts and for details on other insurance coverage. The authority confirmed it does not hold insurance for customer non-payments, preferring debt management and legal action, but disclosed a list of other broad insurance policies covering property, liability, and infrastructure risks.

Key Facts

  • Manx Utilities does not hold insurance or indemnity coverage for customer consumer debt.
  • The authority prefers to manage debt through payment plans rather than insurance recovery.
  • Unresolved debt may lead to service cessation or legal action via Isle of Man Courts (Small claims or Summary procedures).
  • Manx Utilities maintains a broad insurance programme covering onshore property damage, sabotage, terrorism, and subsea cables.
  • Other covered risks include engineering inspection, management liability, directors and officers liability, and marine/air cargo.

Data Disclosed

  • 2024-12-10
  • 2025-01-09
  • 4312901
  • IM99 1PS
  • 01624 687687
  • Freedom of Information Act 2015

Original Request

Hello, For all of the below, this is in regards to electricity, gas, water and sewerage,. Please separate if the following apply differently to services listed above. 1. Does Manx Utilities hold any form of insurance or indemnity coverage to recover unpaid amounts from customers who do not make payments, or full payments? 2. If so, please specify the type of insurance or indemnity held and the conditions under which it applies. 3. If such coverage exists, what is the process and timeline for triggering a payout? For example, does the policy activate after a specific number of missed payments (e.g., 3 months)? 4. In cases where Manx Utilities receives payments through insurance or indemnity coverage, does the amount recovered equal the outstanding balance owed by the customer, or is it a fixed percentage or capped amount? 5. For the most recent five financial years, how much has Manx Utilities recovered annually through insurance or indemnity payouts related to non-payment? 6. Outside of customer non-payouts, does Manx Utilities have other insuance and/or indemnity coverage? If so please specify what for.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Manx Utilities PO Box 177, Douglas Isle of Man, IM99 1PS

e: enquiries@manxutilities.im t: 01624 687687 www.manxutilities.im

Our ref: 4312901 9 January 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 10 December 2024, which states:

"For all of the below, this is in regards to electricity, gas, water and sewerage,. Please separate if the following apply differently to services listed above.
1. Does Manx Utilities hold any form of insurance or indemnity coverage to recover unpaid amounts from customers who do not make payments, or full payments? 2. If so, please specify the type of insurance or indemnity held and the conditions under which it applies. 3. If such coverage exists, what is the process and timeline for triggering a payout? For example, does the policy activate after a specific number of missed payments (e.g., 3 months)? 4. In cases where Manx Utilities receives payments through insurance or indemnity coverage, does the amount recovered equal the outstanding balance owed by the customer, or is it a fixed percentage or capped amount? 5. For the most recent five financial years, how much has Manx Utilities recovered annually through insurance or indemnity payouts related to non-payment? 6. Outside of customer non-payouts, does Manx Utilities have other insuance and/or indemnity coverage? If so please specify what for."

Response for questions part 1–5 While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Manx Utilities does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. Manx Utilities do not hold such insurance or indemnity coverage for customer consumer debt, the preference is to offer various ways to support customers including actively managing payment plans to keep the overall debt as low as possible. However, non-engagement, payment failure or increasing debt, may result in the ceasing of services and/or pursuance of the debt through the Isle of Man Courts by way of Small claims or Summary procedures.

Response for part 6 Manx Utilities does have a broad insurance programme and policy coverage to indemnify it in respect of the following high level summary risk areas: • Onshore Property Damage & Business Interruption • Sabotage & Terrorism
• Subsea Cable – Material Damage, Business Interruption and Liability • Engineering Inspection

• Management Liability Package • Excess Directors and Officers Liability • Marine/Air Cargo

Please quote the reference number 4312901 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.