Prepare the entity and ABN, location, years in business, staff, qualifications, turnover, existing insurance and claims history. Describe every professional service, revenue split, client and contract profile, overseas work, subcontractors, implementation or project-management duties, higher-risk activities, required limits, tenders and retroactive-cover needs. Complex risks may also require proposal forms, contracts or supporting documents. Read the detailed guidance.

Alongside Professional Indemnity, Consultants may consider Public Liability for third-party injury or property damage, Cyber Insurance for data and technology incidents, Business Insurance for property and interruption, and Management Liability for company and management exposures. Commercial Motor, Corporate Travel, Legal Expenses and Personal Accident cover may also be relevant. Read the detailed guidance.

Using subcontractors does not necessarily transfer the Consultant’s liability. A client may still pursue the primary Consultant for work forming part of the engagement. Disclose the percentage and type of work subcontracted, contracts used and subcontractors’ qualifications and insurance. Policy wording should be checked rather than assuming all subcontracted work is automatically covered. Read the detailed guidance.

Check required Professional Indemnity and Public Liability limits, how long cover must be maintained, certificates, subcontractor insurance and any requested endorsements. Also review broad indemnities, fitness-for-purpose obligations, guarantees, unlimited liability, consequential loss and responsibility for other parties. Meeting an insurance clause does not mean every contractual liability is insured; legal advice may be needed on the contract. Read the detailed guidance.

Operating as a sole trader does not remove professional liability. A sole trader can still face a claim alleging that advice, reports or services caused financial loss, and clients may require minimum Professional Indemnity or Public Liability limits. Business size alone does not determine claim severity because one person’s advice can affect a much larger project or decision. Read the detailed guidance.

Claims can involve incorrect advice, failure to identify a risk, errors in reports or data, failure to deliver agreed services, project delay, misrepresentation or breach of professional duty. Cover depends on the allegation, insured professional services and policy wording. Claims and circumstances that could reasonably lead to a claim should be notified promptly. Read the detailed guidance.

Webber Insurance can assist many business, management, marketing, HR, risk, procurement, training, compliance, strategy, operations, sustainability and specialist technical Consultants, subject to insurer appetite. Where a specialist occupation applies—such as Environmental, IT, Project Management, Engineering, Architecture or Surveying—the insurance should be assessed under that actual occupation. All material services must be disclosed. Read the detailed guidance.

There is no single suitable limit. Consider contractual requirements, the services provided, client and contract size, potential financial consequences, government or corporate work, industry requirements and claims history. A Consultant’s potential liability can be much larger than the fee earned, and a client’s requested limit is a starting point rather than proof of the appropriate cover. Read the detailed guidance.

Professional Indemnity Insurance can respond to eligible claims alleging that a Consultant’s advice, recommendations, reports or services were incorrect, incomplete or failed to meet the required professional standard. Depending on the policy, it may cover defence, expert and investigation costs, settlements and damages. It does not cover every commercial dispute or contractual obligation. Read the detailed guidance.

Consultants commonly consider Professional Indemnity Insurance because clients may rely on their advice, reports, recommendations and other professional services. Public Liability, Cyber, Business, Management Liability, Commercial Motor, Corporate Travel or Legal Expenses cover may also be relevant depending on activities, clients, contracts, assets and business structure. Read the detailed guidance.