Insurance for the self-employed
If things at work don’t go to plan, it’s always good to have a helping hand (or four). Protect your business and its bank balance with self-employed insurance.
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Covers the costs of fixing your mistakes, and defends you against allegations you’ve not done your job properly. A must-have for business with paying clients.
Public liability insuranceBusiness insurance for self-employed
Being self-employed sadly doesn't mean you're less likely to deal with potentially expensive or time-consuming problems. But it does mean you're more likely to need help if something goes wrong.
That's where self-employed insurance can help. If something doesn't go to plan, mistakes are made, or someone is injured, you'll have a team of experts on hand to support you. They'll save you time and money and help smooth out a crisis.
What you do, who you do it with, and what you use to do it will all play a part in what insurance you need.
Not sure where to start? Here are some pointers…
What insurance does a self-employed person need?
Professional indemnity insurance
Mistakes and misunderstandings can cause time-consuming, reputation-ruining, expensive problems.
Save your money, time, sanity and good name by letting your policy do the fixing, advising and compensating.
Professional indemnity (PI) pays for a specialist solicitor to defend you if something doesn't go to plan. And it picks up the tab for a compensation or damages pay-out.
Public liability insurance
If you meet people for work, there's always the risk of an accident. They could trip over a cable, or you could spill a cuppa on their laptop.
You don't mean to, things happen, but these can be expensive mistakes if that person then decides to take action.
Public liability insurance for self-employed people helps protect your business by paying for a solicitor if you need one and covering any compensation due.
Employers' liability insurance
If you work solo, fine, but if you have people working for you – paid or unpaid, temporary or permanent – employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement.
And if you don't have it, and you should, the Health & Safety Executive can fine you. They'll also fine you for not displaying the certificate.
Ouch.
Employers' liability insurance is there if a staff member is injured or becomes ill through work and they sue you. It pays for a solicitor to defend you. And it also covers any compensation you have to pay.
Contents and equipment insurance
Contents and kit. They're what you need and use to do what you do. Your office furniture, laptop, phone, or specialist tools of your trade. If they get damaged, broken or go missing, it could mean you can't work. And no work means no revenue. It can also make for some pretty unhappy customers if you have to let them down.
Office insurance takes care of your assets. It pays to repair or replace your bits and pieces keeping your business (and customers) in a happy place.
Personal accident insurance
The biggest problem with being on your own is being on your own. A serious injury that means you can't work could spell financial disaster.
Personal accident insurance gives your business a financial safety net if you're self-employed.
If you or an employee are permanently injured or killed in an accident, personal accident insurance will cover:
- a lump-sum payment if someone is killed
- the cost of shuffling staff around to cover absences, e.g., recruitment, training etc
- day-to-day running costs of your office.
Cyber insurance
Cybercriminals aren't picky about who they attack. Whether you're a one-man band or a large multinational, if you're online, you're at risk.
And online includes emails, a website or a computer network.
If you or a staff member accidentally clicks on a malicious email, it could give cybercriminals access to your network. And that could mean access to all your customer data.
Or an unsuspecting team member could be tricked into giving out your bank details.
Cyber insurance gives you access to a 24/7 emergency response team if you’re attacked. They’ll work with you to fix your systems and retrieve any lost data. Plus, it pays your legal costs and any compensation for lost revenue that could be due.
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