Mediators’ insurance

Why do mediators need professional indemnity insurance?

It’s not always much fun being the messenger. Sometimes they get shot.

When things don’t go your clients’ way, it’s easy to find yourself in the line of fire. Especially if you’re the bearer of bad tidings.

That’s when accusations are made, solicitors get involved and clients want payback. All of a sudden, the service and the advice you’ve given is under question and there’s a question mark over who pays for your client’s losses.

The worst thing you can do is ignore it. But do you have the time and money to do something about it? Or the legal expertise to clear your name? Mediators’ professional indemnity insurance means you don’t need to worry about any of that.

Your policy pays to defend you and, if you have made a mistake, compensates the person claiming against you too.

Think of it as a little bit of self-preservation. Or a chance to think about yourself for a change.

How much professional indemnity insurance do I need?

Professional indemnity insurance protects your business. No one else’s.

Seems obvious, but it means your level of cover should be enough to cover the work you do, who you do it with, and how much it’s worth.

You’re looking at worst possible scenario as a guide. What biggest financial loss could your mistake cause? How much could one client sue you for? Twice your contract value? Ten times? More? Bear in mind your legal costs need to be covered too, and we all know how cheap solicitors are.

It’s a tricky one to get right. If it helps, you can never have too much. Have a read of this guide or call us if you need more help.

What does professional indemnity insurance cover?

Negligence claims and allegations made against you by clients and third parties, because of mistakes you’ve made and things you’ve failed to do.

Specifically (but depending on the policy wording):

• Defamation
• Intellectual property infringement
• Loss of documents or data
• Negligent misrepresentation or misstatement
• Employee dishonesty
• Virus transmission
• Breach of confidentiality
• Failure of third-party equipment

But that’s not all. Some professional indemnity policies can fix a mistake before your client is even aware of it, thereby preventing a claim in the first place.

Clever stuff.

What else do I need?

Public liability insurance is for when you go out and about on business, or have visitors to your office. It’s for claims of physical damage to property and people. Useful if you’re clumsy.

Employers’ liability insurance covers your business if an employee sues it for damages. Claims are usually because they’ve suffered injuries and illnesses as a consequence of working for you. It’s a legal requirement for UK businesses with employees.

Office and property insurance covers the things in your office (furniture, plants, fixed IT equipment etc) and portable insurance covers gadgets and technical equipment away from the office (laptops, tablets, projectors etc). If you’re not sure it’s worth insuring, add it all up – it’s probably worth more than you think.

Business interruption insurance means you can still work when your office is out of action. Be it flood, fire or flea infestation, you’re covered for the costs of setting up elsewhere and for any lost revenue in that time.

Directors’ and officers’ insurance covers your company bosses. Anyone from regulators to shareholders to competitors can accuse you of not running a business with due care. Worse, directors are personally liable for their actions. The good thing is this insurance covers your defence costs and any compensation you have to pay. So you can put away your chequebook.