Virtually all businesses face the problem of not being paid. Credit risks can come in a number of familiar forms and can range in magnitude, from insolvency of major clients, to slow payment of invoices.

Customers may not be able to pay because of financial difficulties. More dramatically, events such as natural disasters, fraud and civil unrest can influence a client`s ability to honour its invoices.

Organisations that conduct a large proportion of business with only a few clients, or export to just a few countries, can be harder hit since their receiveables are more concentrated in nature.

Marsh`s Trade Credit practice understands that different organisations will have different needs in managing credit risk.

We can develop solutions tailored to clients` specific credit exposures.

Companies that move into overseas markets, for instance, may have little choice in granting longer periods of credit than normal and may need specific solutions.

Others may want to differentiate themselves from the competition by offering more attractive terms of payment, but will heighten their credit risks in the process.

Larger companies may gain in terms of quality, consistency and value by buying group level credit insurance policies, rather than relying on subsidiary level ones.

Our knowledge of international markets enables us to advise on the source and type of cover most suitable for a particular situation.

We can advise on the various trade credit insurance products such as:

• whole turnover
• top customer cover
• transactional and single risk policies
• catastrophe
• captives and group schemes
• medium term risks.

Marsh works extensively with underwriters to expand market capacity and develop improved trade credit practices.