Question 1

Insurance

Accepted Answer

Q: I am writing regards Employer’s Liability insurance, which used to be included as part of our buildings insurance policy, but is no longer covered. This has made us a little bit concerned, although we do not actually employ anyone, so believe the cover would not cover anyone anyway. We were wondering however, we do have someone who cuts our grass for us, and an odd job man who does odds and ends, but they are just paid casually for the work done. Should we get them to sign some sort of disclaimer, in the event of any problem? Would it be appropriate or relevant? Also, last year we had a large job done by a large company - new garage roofs. We assumed that they had their own cover for any problems. Are we right to make this assumption, or should we always check? FPRA Insurance Expert Belinda Thorpe replies: Most normal flats policies should automatically include Employer’s Liability insurance, so I am surprised you no longer have it included. I would recommend that a disclaimer is signed. However, I would have a concern whether that would be adequate if an incident occurred. For example, if an injury occurred to the odd job man that was deemed to have been due to your inadequacy, ie the pavement was uneven and he tripped or due to equipment he used that belonged to you being faulty, then I feel there is still a risk. I would recommend locating a policy which includes Employer’s Liability Insurance. As far as work completed by companies, you should always carry out a risk assessment. I have sent you an appraisal form that you can complete each time a contractor is used. Please ensure you keep these appraisal forms filed somewhere safe. [Submitted April 2017]

Question 2

Insurance

Accepted Answer

Q: I am writing regards Employer’s Liability insurance, which used to be included as part of our buildings insurance policy, but is no longer covered. This has made us a little bit concerned, although we do not actually employ anyone, so believe the cover would not cover anyone anyway. We were wondering however, we do have someone who cuts our grass for us, and an odd job man who does odds and ends, but they are just paid casually for the work done. Should we get them to sign some sort of disclaimer, in the event of any problem? Would it be appropriate or relevant? Also, last year we had a large job done by a large company - new garage roofs. We assumed that they had their own cover for any problems. Are we right to make this assumption, or should we always check? FPRA Insurance Expert Belinda Thorpe replies: Most normal flats policies should automatically include Employer’s Liability insurance, so I am surprised you no longer have it included. I would recommend that a disclaimer is signed. However, I would have a concern whether that would be adequate if an incident occurred. For example, if an injury occurred to the odd job man that was deemed to have been due to your inadequacy, ie the pavement was uneven and he tripped or due to equipment he used that belonged to you being faulty, then I feel there is still a risk. I would recommend locating a policy which includes Employer’s Liability Insurance. As far as work completed by companies, you should always carry out a risk assessment. I have sent you an appraisal form that you can complete each time a contractor is used. Please ensure you keep these appraisal forms filed somewhere safe. [Submitted April 2017]

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