Working with wires and electricity is risky, and a small mistake can potentially cost you and your client millions. So it only makes sense to have some sort of insurance coverage to ensure you don’t end up paying for the damages. There are many types of insurance policies an electrician can get, but we suggest you explore indemnity insurance; read on to know more about it.
So, What’s Professional Indemnity Insurance Anyway?
Just like most insurance policies, indemnity insurance protects the policyholder and compensates for their losses covered under the agreement. However, what makes it unique is the conditions of loss. Indemnity insurance covers losses that originate from misjudgment, or in some instances, malpractice resulting in client losses.
Furthermore, indemnity insurance also protects against claims resulting from failure to perform an action or negligence leading to legal entanglement or financial losses. It works just like any other insurance policy where the policyholder pays a periodic premium, and in return, the insurer offers coverage whenever needed as per their contract.
Who Needs Professional Indemnity Insurance?
Almost every professional can get indemnity insurance, but these are the service providers that are the ideal candidates for it:
- Business consultants
- IT professionals
- Contractors
- Recruitment agencies
- Teachers and tutors
- Fitness professionals
- Designers and architectures
- And so on…
Based on the professionals, you can guess the theme – people who frequently need to offer advice and guidance to their clients and rely on their judgment require indemnity insurance.
How Does Indemnity Insurance Differ From Personal Liability Insurance?
Both are very different in nature. Public liability insurance offers coverage from damages caused to customers or the general public by the physical goods of a company, manufacturer, or tradesman.
Professional indemnity insurance protects you from damages caused by an intangible offering like your service, such as offering wrong advice, losing important documents, or making errors while working on a job.
Do Electricians Need Indemnity Insurance?
Yes, electricians do NEED indemnity insurance, and there’s a solid reason for this; a slight error or misjudgment can potentially result in millions in losses. Working with electricity is risky, and you need to rely heavily on your experience and judgment, so there’s room for mistakes.
Putting in a wrong fuse or connecting the wrong wires can fry the circuits and even start a fire in the building – a lawsuit from the client is typical after such mistakes.
Let’s take an example. Suppose an electrician advises his client to use a specific gauge of wire for house wiring. But in a few months, fluctuation in voltage fries the wires, damaging expensive home appliances.
Now, if the client files a case against the electrician for providing inadequate advice on wiring, then the indemnity insurance will cover the litigation costs. It will also take care of any damages the court orders the electrician to pay.
Wrapping it up:
From surgeons to lawyers and contractors, every professional offering some kind of intangible value needs professional indemnity insurance to ensure they are protected if a job goes wrong.
At Paradiso Insurance, we offer top-class electrician insurance that can protect you from lawsuits, hefty fines, and damage payments and more. Feel free to give us a call at (860) 684-5270.