Compare professional indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance serve different purposes but are both important for businesses to have. Professional indemnity insurance protects your business from claims made by clients due to mistakes, negligence, or inadequate service provided in a professional context. It’s particularly important for professionals like consultants, architects, and designers who offer advice or expertise.

In contrast, public liability insurance covers claims from third parties for injuries or property damage caused during business activities. For example, it protects you if a customer slips and falls in your shop or if your business accidentally damages a client’s property.

Both policies are crucial, but they address different types of risks, so many businesses choose to have both.

Typically, you’re only covered for claims that arise after you take out your professional indemnity insurance. However, it’s worth asking your insurer about retroactive cover, which could extend your protection to work completed prior to the start date of your policy.

If retroactive cover isn't offered, you may need to arrange separate cover for previous work or risk being unprotected for any past claims.

In a professional indemnity insurance policy, the retroactive date is the specific point in time from which the policy will cover claims. If your policy has a retroactive date, it means the insurer will only cover claims for work done after this date.

Claims arising from incidents that took place before the retroactive date are not covered, even if the policy is in effect when the claim is made. It's important to review the retroactive date carefully when purchasing professional indemnity insurance, as it could impact your coverage for past services or advice.

In the UK, a professional indemnity certificate is a document provided by your insurer that verifies you hold active professional indemnity insurance. It outlines key details, such as the policyholder’s name, policy number, level of cover, and the start and end dates of the policy.

This certificate might be requested by clients or regulators to confirm you have sufficient insurance to cover claims. It serves as proof of compliance with industry requirements and/or contractual obligations.

As a business owner in the UK, you can obtain proof of professional indemnity insurance from your insurer. To get this proof you can:

Request it from your insurer or broker: After purchasing or renewing a professional indemnity policy, your insurer will often provide a certificate automatically. If not, you can directly request one.

Check your insurance documents: Most insurers include proof of cover in the initial policy documentation.

Access your online portal: Many insurers and brokers offer customer portals where you can download a certificate of insurance — or other proof of coverage — whenever you like.

While professional indemnity insurance isn’t typically required legally in the UK, it can be a crucial safeguard for self-employed individuals who provide advice, services, or designs. If negligent advice or mistakes lead to financial loss for clients, this insurance can cover the costs of defending a legal claim and any potential compensation.

It’s also worth noting that clients or companies might refrain from working with you unless you have professional indemnity insurance.

Yes, you’ll typically need to pay an excess when making a claim on a professional indemnity insurance policy. The amount you need to pay will vary depending on the specifics of your policy and the nature of the claim. The exact terms of the excess, such as whether it’s a fixed amount or depends on the severity of the claim, will be outlined in your policy documents.

Indemnity insurance is regarded as an allowable expense, meaning you can deduct the cost of it from your profits before calculating your tax liability. This can help reduce the overall amount of tax you pay.

However, if an employer pays for indemnity insurance on behalf of an employee and the policy benefits the individual rather than the business, it might be classified as a taxable benefit in kind. For clarity on your specific situation, it’s worth consulting with an accountant or tax adviser.

Yes, you can take out a short-term professional indemnity insurance policy in the UK. Many insurers offer flexible coverage options that can be tailored to your specific needs, which can be ideal for freelancers or consultants. Short-term policies can be arranged for periods ranging from a few weeks to several months, depending on the insurer and the nature of the work.

Run-off cover is a type of professional indemnity insurance that provides protection for a business or individual after they cease trading or stop offering professional services. For example, if you retire, close your business, or switch to a different line of work, run-off cover will ensure you're still protected against any claims that may arise from past work.

While you’re not legally required to have run-off cover, some clients or regulators may require it before you end your professional services.

Yes, many professional indemnity insurance policies provide coverage for intellectual property (IP) rights breaches, such as copyright, trademark, or design infringement. This can be particularly relevant for businesses and professionals who create, design, or publish original content.

However, be sure to carefully review your policy terms, as coverage for IP disputes may vary between insurers. Some policies might only cover unintentional breaches, while others may exclude specific types of IP claims altogether. If intellectual property risks are a significant concern for your business, ensure your policy explicitly includes this protection, or consider purchasing additional coverage tailored to your needs.

Certain professionals must have professional indemnity insurance to comply with regulatory requirements. For example, in the UK, professionals such as solicitors, accountants, and financial advisors need this insurance to protect against claims of negligence or malpractice. 

Specific regulatory bodies often set these requirements for businesses operating within those sectors. 

It’s crucial to check your industry’s regulations to ensure compliance.