![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/virtual-assistants-istock.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nYou\u2019re the extra pair of hands your clients rely on. But what if something unexpected crops up? Or if they want you to start helping them in a new way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a virtual assistant, you\u2019re used to spinning lots of different plates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if those plates come crashing down, you\u2019ll need a Plan B to protect your business from the financial fallout. And keep your reputation from shattering, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An insurance policy that looks after you while you look after your clients will do it. But where do you start figuring out what virtual assistants’ cover you need?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virtual reality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYou might carry out lots of different tasks for your client. Everything from diary and email management to keeping track of their receipts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly, your client\u2019s tax deadline\u2019s looming. They ask if you can help them fill out their return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s easy to say \u2018yes\u2019, then realise you\u2019ll be held responsible if you make a mistake. Like a wrong calculation that pushes your client into a higher tax bracket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Problem is, by then, you could already be facing a claim. As well as the prospect of paying \u00a3thousands in legal costs and damages to make things right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virtual assistant, real risk<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNegligence claims are a real worry for VAs. Even a small mistake or mix-up when you\u2019re helping someone out can lead to big problems. And if that someone loses money, you can bet they\u2019ll add \u201cseek compensation\u201d to their to-do list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, everyone\u2019s capable of making errors. Even professionals like you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what do you do? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure your virtual assistants’ insurance<\/a> can cover what you do. And that\u2019s before<\/em> you do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Task master<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs a VA, it\u2019s likely you do a mixture of different things, depending on your skill set and training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, you should tot up your task list. Then look at getting professional indemnity (PI) insurance<\/a> to cover your activities. It protects you if your client accuses you of negligence<\/a>, poor service, libel, or slander. <\/p>\n\n\n\nVirtual assistants’ PI can also cover things like lost documents and confidentiality breaches. If you step off a train, leaving behind a file containing your client\u2019s customers’ private details. Or if you accidentally forward a confidential email to one of your client’s suppliers, causing them to lose their contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rethink your strategy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBut a word of warning here. Especially if you’re ever asked to do something that requires special expertise, or crosses over with another profession. Like in our tax return scenario. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virtual assistants’ PI can only do so much. The clue, really, is in your job description. You\u2019re a virtual assistant<\/em>, not a virtual expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSo, if you\u2019re helping a client out with their emails and writing some of their website copy as well, virtual assistants\u2019 insurance<\/a> can help you out.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut if they suddenly ask you to do a deep dive into their email marketing strategy, then you should speak to your insurer first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saying \u2018yes\u2019 without checking your policy wording could leave you uninsured. And risking not just your time and finances but your reputation as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few golden rules<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYour touchstone when buying insurance should be to read through your policy wording to see what\u2019s covered. And then decide if it covers what you<\/em> do \u2013 whether that\u2019s diary and email management, transcription, social media, VA training, or everything in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNext, you should consider what amount of cover would be right for you. Think about your worst-case scenario and what could go wrong. Then ask yourself: \u201cHow much professional indemnity insurance do I need?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nBear in mind, too, that if you\u2019ve bagged lots of new clients recently, your task list\u2019s probably multiplied. So it’s good practice to review your business activities regularly to see if you need more cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s say your lettings agent client asks you to photograph their show home for their socials. You might want photography equipment insurance<\/a> in case you drop and break your camera. Public liability<\/a>, too, to cover the damages if you back into a mirror while you’re over there.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnd if you work from home, business contents insurance<\/a> will cover any office furniture or equipment that’s lost, stolen or broken. If thieves make off with your PC, or a fire scorches your home office, you could find your hands tied without it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do virtual assistants need cyber cover?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBeing online for any amount of time is risky. Handling clients\u2019 emails, confidential documents, and payment info doubles that risk. It means you have something all cybercriminals want: personal data. And that leaves you open to cyber-attacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Losing your client\u2019s entire inbox to hackers will damage your business with no guarantee you\u2019ll bounce back. So, it\u2019s best not to hang about. Get cyber insurance<\/a> added to your VA policy instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA cyber policy will cover \u00a3thousands in compensation and legal fees if you’re sued for data loss. It also pays for data retrieval, ransom negotiations, and security fixes, and the costs associated with a data breach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A top tip for VAs: you can add extra cover to your policy for financial cybercrime and social engineering<\/a> attacks like phishing. Your lost earnings, too, while your systems and website are in shut-down.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRead more about why virtual assistants need cyber insurance<\/a> cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Real protection in a virtual world<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWorking virtually can be riskier than you think. Which makes it more likely you\u2019ll have to bolt some extra cover onto your virtual assistants’ insurance<\/a> to make it watertight.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ll happily run through the different types of cover virtual assistants need with you. Just give us a ring on 0345 222 5391<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage under licence from isto<\/em>ck<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"You\u2019re the extra pair of hands your clients rely on. But what if something unexpected crops up? Or if they want you to start helping them in a new way? As a virtual assistant, you\u2019re used to spinning lots of … Continue reading
Negligence claims are a real worry for VAs. Even a small mistake or mix-up when you\u2019re helping someone out can lead to big problems. And if that someone loses money, you can bet they\u2019ll add \u201cseek compensation\u201d to their to-do list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, everyone\u2019s capable of making errors. Even professionals like you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what do you do? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure your virtual assistants’ insurance<\/a> can cover what you do. And that\u2019s before<\/em> you do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a VA, it\u2019s likely you do a mixture of different things, depending on your skill set and training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First, you should tot up your task list. Then look at getting professional indemnity (PI) insurance<\/a> to cover your activities. It protects you if your client accuses you of negligence<\/a>, poor service, libel, or slander. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtual assistants’ PI can also cover things like lost documents and confidentiality breaches. If you step off a train, leaving behind a file containing your client\u2019s customers’ private details. Or if you accidentally forward a confidential email to one of your client’s suppliers, causing them to lose their contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n But a word of warning here. Especially if you’re ever asked to do something that requires special expertise, or crosses over with another profession. Like in our tax return scenario. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtual assistants’ PI can only do so much. The clue, really, is in your job description. You\u2019re a virtual assistant<\/em>, not a virtual expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you\u2019re helping a client out with their emails and writing some of their website copy as well, virtual assistants\u2019 insurance<\/a> can help you out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But if they suddenly ask you to do a deep dive into their email marketing strategy, then you should speak to your insurer first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Saying \u2018yes\u2019 without checking your policy wording could leave you uninsured. And risking not just your time and finances but your reputation as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your touchstone when buying insurance should be to read through your policy wording to see what\u2019s covered. And then decide if it covers what you<\/em> do \u2013 whether that\u2019s diary and email management, transcription, social media, VA training, or everything in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, you should consider what amount of cover would be right for you. Think about your worst-case scenario and what could go wrong. Then ask yourself: \u201cHow much professional indemnity insurance do I need?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bear in mind, too, that if you\u2019ve bagged lots of new clients recently, your task list\u2019s probably multiplied. So it’s good practice to review your business activities regularly to see if you need more cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s say your lettings agent client asks you to photograph their show home for their socials. You might want photography equipment insurance<\/a> in case you drop and break your camera. Public liability<\/a>, too, to cover the damages if you back into a mirror while you’re over there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you work from home, business contents insurance<\/a> will cover any office furniture or equipment that’s lost, stolen or broken. If thieves make off with your PC, or a fire scorches your home office, you could find your hands tied without it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being online for any amount of time is risky. Handling clients\u2019 emails, confidential documents, and payment info doubles that risk. It means you have something all cybercriminals want: personal data. And that leaves you open to cyber-attacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Losing your client\u2019s entire inbox to hackers will damage your business with no guarantee you\u2019ll bounce back. So, it\u2019s best not to hang about. Get cyber insurance<\/a> added to your VA policy instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A cyber policy will cover \u00a3thousands in compensation and legal fees if you’re sued for data loss. It also pays for data retrieval, ransom negotiations, and security fixes, and the costs associated with a data breach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A top tip for VAs: you can add extra cover to your policy for financial cybercrime and social engineering<\/a> attacks like phishing. Your lost earnings, too, while your systems and website are in shut-down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more about why virtual assistants need cyber insurance<\/a> cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Working virtually can be riskier than you think. Which makes it more likely you\u2019ll have to bolt some extra cover onto your virtual assistants’ insurance<\/a> to make it watertight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll happily run through the different types of cover virtual assistants need with you. Just give us a ring on 0345 222 5391<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image under licence from isto<\/em>ck<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You\u2019re the extra pair of hands your clients rely on. But what if something unexpected crops up? Or if they want you to start helping them in a new way? As a virtual assistant, you\u2019re used to spinning lots of … Continue reading Task master<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rethink your strategy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A few golden rules<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do virtual assistants need cyber cover?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Real protection in a virtual world<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n