You should arrange professional indemnity insurance before you begin offering services, advice, or expertise to clients. Claims are usually handled on a “claims made” basis, meaning your policy must be active when the claim is made, not just when the work was carried out. Setting up cover early ensures you’re protected from the start.
FAQ Category: Professional Indemnity
Yes — if you provide professional services, advice, or designs, professional indemnity insurance is highly recommended, even if you’re self-employed. One mistake or allegation could result in costly legal action. Many clients and agencies also require freelancers and sole traders to have indemnity insurance in place before awarding contracts.
The two policies cover different risks:
- Professional indemnity insurance protects you if your professional advice, services, or designs cause financial loss for a client.
- Public liability insurance covers claims for injury or property damage made by third parties, such as customers, suppliers, or visitors.
Most businesses benefit from holding both types of cover for full protection.
No — you don’t need to meet a minimum size to qualify for professional indemnity insurance. You can select the level of cover you need, when you get a quote. Not all policies have professional indemnity cover available. Please check policy documentation to ensure the cover meets your requirements.