Are you looking for an instant cover insurance scheme? We sat down with Liam Haynes, regional development manager, from TH March to find out more on how they can help your business.

Can you give a brief background to TH March.

Back in 1887, the son of a Hatton Garden diamond merchant, Tommy March (frequently known as T.H.M.), discovered there was a gap in the insurance market for protecting the jewellery trade. The entrepreneurship and innovation which drove the jewellery market in 19th century London played a part in forming Tommy’s character and direction. He was restless and had a voracious search for excellence. By 1905, the firm already had 234 accounts, increasing to 619 by 1910. Whilst our expertise and range of products spans a whole spectrum of associated allied trades, including Fine Art and Antique Dealers, Galleries and Pawnbrokers, today we now have grown and diversified the business to also include a wide range of Commercial insurances and a substantial range of Personal and Home insurances, Protection products and Life Insurance, Critical Illness and Private Medical.

Can you explain what March Guard is?

March Guard is a simple jewellery and watch insurance policy providing your customers with wide cover, few exclusions, and competitive premiums. It allows you to arrange instant cover (with minimal paperwork) on their purchases, so they leave your shop protected and with peace of mind. In today’s competitive market, March Guard allows you, the retailer to add value to your customer and brand offering and earn valuable commission. March Guard can be offered in-store at your till (EPOS), arranging the insurance online by logging in to our dedicated website (eMarch Guard) or our Add to Basket jewellery insurance eCommerce Solution for your online sales. If you were to use March Guard across any or all the three options, the benefits to you will be:

• 20% commission on all premiums paid
• A guarantee that all repairs and replacements will be arranged via you
• Offer free insurance as a sales incentive rather than discounting prices
• Customers leave your shop with their items safely covered
• Customers will return to you for repairs or replacement of those items

So, March Guard really can add value to your business, earning commission and your customers are protected.

Does the scheme cover both jewellery and watches?

Yes, March Guard offers 1 or 3 years of cover on items of jewellery and watches. The maximum scheme limits are as follows:

• £7,500 – any one piece of jewellery
• £2,500 – any one watch
• £7,500 – any one household (certificate limit)

Your customers benefit from great value coverage:

• Accidental Loss – If it’s lost, it’s covered
• Accidental Damage – if it’s damaged, it’s covered• Theft Cover – if it’s stolen, it’s covered
• Cover provided anywhere in the UK and up to 30 consecutive days worldwide

The scheme can change, so visit our website or contact us for details of the scheme benefits to you and your customers.

Why do you believe it’s essential to a retail jewellery business to be offering a service like March Guard?

In an increasingly competitive market, customer loyalty is more important than ever. I know many jewellers pride themselves on establishing trusted relationships with their regular customers. Whether you’re running an exclusive appointment-only boutique store or a high street chain, most jewellers want to get to know and understand their customers. This may mean helping them to grow and protect their jewellery collections or understanding more about their other interests and passions to engage with them more frequently. The customer benefits from insurance cover designed specifically for their needs, while you, the retailer, earns commission.

How easy is it for a retailer to get set up using the scheme?

Very easy! Once you’ve made contact to find out about the three versions available and get setup with the TH March team, you could be issuing policies within a week of contacting us and start earning commission.

Tell us something about the company that our retailers may not be aware of?

We are a team and look after all our colleagues across the UK. TH March was revealed as a “Top Insurance Employer” for a fourth year in 2024, with good career prospects in a supportive environment and we actively encourage role specific professional qualifications and CPD. The commitment to the physical, mental health and wellbeing of the team led to us establishing a Wellbeing Committee, we have a team of dedicated and trained Mental Health First Aiders to help colleagues deal with whatever challenges lie ahead. Additionally, we have various Employee Assistance Programmes available and have signed the Mindful Employer Charter for Employers Positive about Mental Health. Recently we also received recognition as “Committed to being a Menopause Friendly Employer”.

Why did you join the CMJ and what do you think the benefits of joining the CMJ are?

We really value the industry, it’s a pretty special area and unique, so the CMJ is another great way for us to connect, collaborate and keep up to date with such diverse businesses and individuals in the trade. The CMJ works hard to enhance retailers’ competitiveness and matches our ethos of enabling you to provide a more compelling consumer offering, so it’s a great synergy and shared mission for us! We also like the fact the CMJ offers the valuable face-to-face events and networking options, as we like to socialise with the trade.

Would you recommend joining the CMJ to other suppliers?

I would say think of the CMJ as an invaluable community. The CMJ offers you a cohesive brand pedestal to help expand reach and promote your brand within a highly specialised target market. The Trade Events offer the option to meet with several members and really build relationships withlike-minded businesses that will all help achieve wider partnerships and goals for any ambitious supplier.

What plans does TH March have for the future?

We’re working hard on further digital transformation across all areas of our business. In my role as a Regional Development Manager, we are really looking at new ways to work, the scope of products and services we offer and how we can keep adding impact and positive outcomes to the trade, consumers and keep evolving in what’s been a permacrisis for all of us in the recent years and incredibly turbulent times to navigate through both as businesses and individuals. The trade keeps evolving, as do we!

To find out more information please contact liam.haynes@thmarch.co.uk