There are several types of business insurance that engineers should consider, regardless of whether you work as an engineering consultant or you run your own business. These include:
Professional indemnity insurance
The greatest risks faced by engineering firms relate to legal liability. Whether a project encounters design issues, or a building or structure fails a compliance inspection, there is always a risk someone will hit you with a professional liability lawsuit. For this reason, professional indemnity insurance is a must for all engineers and engineering consultants.
Professional indemnity liability insurance covers you against claims the design service you provided was negligent or fell short of expected professional standards. It’s one of the most important types of insurance and is a compulsory aspect of membership to many professional associations. Cover is available starting at $250,000, but can extend up to $10 million or more depending on the size of the project you’re working on.
What it covers
- Cover for your legal defence costs
- Payment of compensation if there’s a successful claim against you
- Payment of court-awarded damages to the litigant
- Cover for the cost of disciplinary proceedings or investigations
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is essential for anyone who works with the public or handles any property belonging to a third party. It will cover you against claims that your business activity caused injury to a member of the public or damaged their property. This insurance can offer between $5 million and $20 million worth of coverage.
What it covers:
- Third-party personal injury claims
- Damage to a third party’s property
- Legal fees to defend yourself
General business insurance
General business insurance may also be worthwhile, particularly if you have tools, portable equipment, machinery or stock to protect. Commercial vehicles aren’t included, so you may need separate commercial vehicle protection for your work ute or truck.
What it covers:
- Fire, storms, theft, vandalism and collision which cause damage to your business assets
- Specialist cover for electronic equipment and other portable equipment
- Limited business interruption insurance
Management liability insurance
Management liability insurance will protect your business owners, managers, senior officers and company directors against the following mismanagement risks:
- Claims of statutory breaches of duty (for instance, breaches of OHSW legislation)
- Statutory fines and penalties imposed as a result of alleged breaches
- Defamation claims
- Sexual harassment claims
- Unfair dismissal claims
- Other charges resulting from OHS incidents or accidents
Management insurance is highly customisable, so you can choose whichever type of insurance you feel is necessary to make up your business package. Cover is available for amounts ranging from $1 to $5 million. Choose from:
- Directors and officers liability – protecting against losses due to claims of alleged wrongful acts in their capacity as a company director or officer
- Corporate liability – protects the company itself against claims of alleged wrongful acts
- Employment practices liability – which covers the company from claims made by employees concerning working conditions or laws
- Statutory liability – which protects the company itself and senior management and employees from allegations of breaches of key legislation
- Crime – covers against direct financial loss as a result of theft or attempted theft from your business premises by either an employee or third party
- Tax audit – which covers any additional expenses necessary to comply with an ATO-ordered tax audit
- Superannuation trustees liability – which provides protection against any alleged act, error or omission arising due to a person’s status as a Superannuation Trustee
What it covers:
- Legal and defence costs
- Investigation costs
- Fines and penalties
- Damages awarded
- Claimant costs awarded against the insured