Insurance

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C

confused

  • #1
    Hi all,

    A quick question on insurance. I recently started up doing pc repairs/installation etc. I took out some insurance (got the cheapest online quote possible...) just incase.
    My work involves pc repair at peoples houses and business premises, but it also can involve drilling holes in walls/floors, removing ceiling tiles etc in order to install cables and such. Is there anything I need to be aware of? do I need anything other than basic public liability insurance?. I have just read the stick on going ltd and I am now a little concerned. What if, for example I drilled a hole one day and it went through a gas pipe and blew up the entire street? my £1M cover certainly wouldnt cover that ! would I then be taken to court and possibly lose my personal possessions? I know that is very unlikely to happen and is a far out example but I need to fear the worst. I just want to make sure Im adequately covered just in case! but where do you draw the line?
     
    J

    Jayne

  • #2
    Hi,

    My public liability if for 5 million. Have you taken an insurance out on yourself too, so if you hurt yourself your mortgage etc will be paid until you get well?

    Try NFU insurance when yours runs out, they're not bad at all.

    Jayne
     
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    C

    confused

  • #3
    Hi,
    I still have canellation time as its only been running a short while, I havnt heard of NFU before, I got loads of online quotes and Zurich came out cheapest (1/3 of what Norwich Union wanted) Do you have any contact details for NFU? I still have about a week or so to cancel

    Thanks
     
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    J

    JoyDivision

  • #4
    I had a quote for public liability insurnace one of my businesses is actually very similar to yours although neither business has started to trade yet.

    Norwich wanted £130 P/A for insurance that basicaly covered nothing becuase if it was my fault I would the insurance would be invalid.

    Well I am not exactly going to blow up a customers PC for the fun of it am I?
     
    Upvote 0
    bwglaw

    bwglaw

    Free Member
    Apr 8, 2005
    4,567
    242
    Richmond, Surrey
  • #5
    confused said:
    Hi all,

    A quick question on insurance. I recently started up doing pc repairs/installation etc. I took out some insurance (got the cheapest online quote possible...) just incase.
    My work involves pc repair at peoples houses and business premises, but it also can involve drilling holes in walls/floors, removing ceiling tiles etc in order to install cables and such. Is there anything I need to be aware of? do I need anything other than basic public liability insurance?. I have just read the stick on going ltd and I am now a little concerned. What if, for example I drilled a hole one day and it went through a gas pipe and blew up the entire street? my £1M cover certainly wouldnt cover that ! would I then be taken to court and possibly lose my personal possessions? I know that is very unlikely to happen and is a far out example but I need to fear the worst. I just want to make sure Im adequately covered just in case! but where do you draw the line?
    Click to expand...

    You should seriously consider drafting some terms and conditions of business and ask the customer to sign for each visit. In this document you need to state that you are not liable for X and X. You should also state what your work usually involves and what is expected of you. You could exclude the drilling of holes etc so that the client cannot include that in your workmanship especially if this is something that rarely occurs. You also need to state what is covered and what is not to mirror your public liability insurance.

    We recently renewed our Office, Employers, Professional Indemnity and Public Liability. We are with Hiscox which we found on this website. Was very surprise what they quoted. Much cheaper than AON we were with.
     
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    C

    creospace

  • #7
    I worked in insurance for 10 years in brokering and loss adjusting. There are clauses in some liability policies where you aren’t covered for the actual item that you brake but you are covered for the resultant damage.

    This was put in to stop small claims from cleaner etc who knocked things over and broke them.

    I have little sympathy for people who shop around to get the absolute cheapest policy and then worry/moan when it doesn't cover them. This isn't the sort of thing you want to skimp on!

    I recommend you visit a good high street broker who can give personal service and great advice. The Hiscox products are normally available through good brokers.

    If you go for an all risks policy you could get cover on all aspects including your tools etc.

    Hope that’s of help.

    Gary
     
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    J

    Jayne

  • #8
    Hi,

    The NFU isn't the cheapest, but I like them. It is the National Farmers Union, they are a good insurance company. I don't have the number here, it's at work..but they are on the web if you google for them.

    Jayne :D
     
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    A

    Admiral Collections

  • #9
    Hi

    Ring up your insurance company and double check the extent of your cover. What if one of your customers tripped up over you drill flex, fell head long into the drill you have rested on the sofa and their hand pushes the 'go' button and it drills them right through the forehead piercing their brain? Now that my friend, is fearing the worst. :lol:

    TTFN

    Nic :wink:
     
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    C

    confused

  • #10
    Thanks all,

    I called them today (the broker) and basically I am coverd if I damage anyone or anything up to £1m, it covers people tripping over my equipment, me damaging items etc, it does not cover loss as a result of my damage though and aparantly that should come off the other persons insurance ?! I was concerned about this so I asked them to get me a quote form another company which they did and it ws the same. so apart from that, I'm pretty well covered I think.

    Regarding the terms and conditions, I'll make a new post as that is off topic.

    Thanks
     
    Upvote 0
    C

    confused

  • #11
    oh GREAT

    Just had a call from the insurance, they are refunding my money as its a mistake and I'm not covered! Aparantly the cover covers working from home and not from business premises - even though the insurance is ONLY for when at a customers premises. All I need is public liability as previously mentioned, can anyone reccomend any, the cheaper the bettter !

    Thanks
     
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