Public liability insurance

A benefit of BECTU membership for freelancers is the union's public liability insurance - the cost is £23 per year.

This benefit saves you paying for your own policy, but it may be necessary for you to arrange extra cover in some circumstances.

Firstly, the insurance provided is for public liability only. It provides cover for up to £5,000,000 for any one claim should you cause an accident whilst working that results in an injury to someone, or damage to their property. Please note that there is a £500 excess on any such claim.

Insurance for your own property and other business risks can normally be insured under Aon Limited's Infocus: Entertainment & Media insurance policy.

Secondly, the public liability insurance only covers work you do personally and which is relative to your membership of BECTU. Additional cover is needed if you:

• employ people, whether temporary or permanent, (other than administrative work undertaken by your spouse).
• trade as a limited company, unless you are the only employee.
• have a partner who is not in BECTU.
• supply goods or hire equipment to others.
• undertake work that has no connection to your membership of BECTU.

Thirdly, please note that the policy only covers members who are resident in the UK or Eire. The policy will extend to cover you if you are temporarily domiciled overseas but it will not cover members who are normally resident outside the UK and Eire. Please note - especially members resident in Eire - that the policy only applies in respect of legal claims brought within the UK.

Finally, if you employ people, in addition to public liability, you must have employers liability insurance to protect you and to comply with legislation. This may be needed even if you are only engaging freelancers.

Download full details of the public liability insurance [969kb pdf] and renewal schedule of cover [470kb pdf] available to BECTU members.

Contact Aon Limited to discuss your public liability cover or for a quotation for equipment, increased cost of working and hire charges, employers' liability, or personal accident and hospital cover.

Aon Limited,
Capital House
Houndwell Place
Southampton
S014 1HU

Tel: 0845 6010380
Fax: 02380 357351

Telephone calls may be monitored or recorded.

Aon Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in respect of insurance mediation activities only.

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