What insurance to go into strangers houses?!

shuzzbutt

shuzzbutt

shuzzbutt

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Joined
24 Jun 2009
Posts
497
If I were to set myself up as a local pc/av support guy just to go and do basic things like format hd's/OS installs etc for folk, what kind of insurance would I need to go into peoples houses and start messing with their potentially pricey kit?

Would it make a difference if I were only doing this part-time in addition to my normal job?
 
Public liability insurance - Recommended
Public liability insurance covers your legal liability to pay damages to members of the public for death, bodily injury or damage to their property which occurs as a result of your business activities.

It also covers legal fees, costs and expenses such as representation at any coroner's inquest, fatal accident enquiry or other court hearing because of an accident.


Professional indemnity insurance - Probably would be over-kill for a one man band tbh

Protects professional businesses against their legal liability towards third parties for injury, loss, or damage, arising from their professional negligence or that of their employees.
 
shuzzbutt said:
thanks for that :)

Also, would operating without it be illegal??
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No legal requirement to have public liability insurance. However, lets say that you do some work in a clients house and that evening there's a fire. Seat of fire is the PC which you last worked on. Client brings an action against you for loss/damage. If have have insurance you simply hand the matter to your insurers to deal - if not then the ball is in your court!
 
Martytoon said:
No legal requirement to have public liability insurance. However, lets say that you do some work in a clients house and that evening there's a fire. Seat of fire is the PC which you last worked on. Client brings an action against you for loss/damage. If have have insurance you simply hand the matter to your insurers to deal - if not then the ball is in your court!
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ahh, would you be liable for the same claim if for example you took the pc to your own place and worked on it there before returning it or would the fact that you'd worked on it mean the responsibilty would still lie with you?
 
shuzzbutt said:
ahh, would you be liable for the same claim if for example you took the pc to your own place and worked on it there before returning it or would the fact that you'd worked on it mean the responsibilty would still lie with you?
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yes....the liability always lies with you, you can insure against it or not, but you would still be liable.

Get some quotes before you decide.
 
Potentially yes. Just to clear things up, I'm not saying in either example that you would be responsible for the damage but that a client may bring an action against you seeking compensation. The insurers would look at the circumstances of each case on its own merits and determine whether you were legally responsible. If you were they would pay up if not they'd tell the claimant (your client) to go away.

The premium will be based upon what you're doing, where you're doing it and how often. I suspect an insurer may perceive it to be a lower risk if you're not working in clients premises. However, if you're taking clients equipment back to your house you would need to check with your own contents insurers to see if that kit was covered whilst in your custody at home. If you're going to be doing any business work from your home it is always advisable to let your insurers know. Hope this helps a bit.
 
Castiel said:
yes....the liability always lies with you, you can insure against it or not, but you would still be liable.

Get some quotes before you decide.
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tbh, even without a quote, if I'm seriously going todo this it does make a lot of sense- peace of mind at least :)

@Martytoon yeah really appreciate the advice- it can be minefield for someone looking at this for the first time
 
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